MSAV + VPA +AHP News
| Public Health Budget Pressures |
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Chronic underfunding of public mental health services is leading to non-replacement of staff in order to save money. We have seen this happening at EH, RCH and Southern Health, with mental health services slow to advertise psychologist positions on community teams and in specialist positions – or not advertising the positions at all. This causes enormous stress and reduces the quality of, and access to, mental health services. We met the Minister for Mental Health (Hon Lisa Neville) last week to express our concerns re lack of psychology services in public mental health.
Budget pressures are also affecting acute settings, with staff not being replaced, or health services attempting to replace staff with lower graded positions. This is happening at Austin Health and other health services. Members need to be vigilant - contact the MSAV or VPA if this is happening in your department. Any change in structures which lead to a diminution of job opportunities constitutes organisational change and must be the subject of notification to staff and the Union, and consultation must occur.
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s.jpg "Public Health Sector - BETTER PAY : MORE STAFF - 2012-2015")
