From The Federal President

Dear Member,

Welcome to the August issue of the ACHSE Networker. The ACHSE Networker is the official College electronic newsletter which is sent to members on a monthly basis.

The 2007 National Congress held in the first week of August was an outstanding success. Delegates were provided with a depth of national and international speakers, focusing on the Congress theme “Health Innovation - Reforms or Raffles”. The Social Program was also a highlight and I would like to congratulate the Victorian Branch and the ACHSE National Office for such precision organisation. A special Networker issue on the Congress will issue soon.

The Pre-conference Workshops also proved very popular with speakers Professor Stanley Huff and Mr Davis Balestracci both from the US.

Some very important changes were passed at our recent Annual General Meeting and these have been summarised by our CEO Dianne Ball in her report following.

Congratulations to Hayden Wano, Brenda Rea and John Turner who successfully advanced to Fellowship following their major oral exams in Melbourne.

This is a bumper edition with all information to keep you up to date with the latest developments within the College.

Sally Torr
Federal President

From the CEO - Dianne Ball

Dear Members,

Congratulations to everyone involved in making the Melbourne 2007 Congress another outstanding success for the College. Special cheers go to the Victorian Branch led by Anne Bergin and her team, and Sue, Carolyn, Alison and Deb from the National Office for the huge effort behind the scenes to ensure that our members and delegates had such a positive experience.

Most members would be aware that at the Annual General Meeting a vote was taken regarding amendments to the ACHSE Memorandum and Articles of Association, which was undertaken to comply with the Corporations Act (2001) and improve corporate governance of the College. An overwhelming majority of voters accepted the new document and we are now in the process of implementing those amendments. Following is a summary of the main points:

Terminology changes

• The term ‘Board of Directors’ or ‘Board’ replaces the term ‘Federal Council.’
• As such, the term ‘Federal Councillors’ has been replaced by ‘Directors’.
• ‘Memorandum & Articles of Association’ has been replaced with the term ‘Constitution’.

Role of the College

• Aged care is now legitimately recognized in the objects of the College along with ‘hospitals and health services.’ Specific initiatives are to be developed at the National and Branch levels to embrace and engage the Aged Care Sector.
• All other aspects of the role of the College remain unchanged.

Student rates of Membership

• ‘The ‘Student rate’ of membership has been redefined to include full time students and those on an ACHSE Management Training Program. The new definition will be applied in the next financial year and all members who are currently classified at the Student rate will receive a letter explaining the changes.
• The term ‘Discount rate’ is replacing the term ‘Student rate’ and will include provision for those people who are in genuine need.

Internal College processes

A number of internal College processes have been revised and formalized, and these will not be visible to members or have an impact on members. For example:

• An HR policy will be developed and used across all Branches
• There will be transparency in relation to financial management and record keeping
• There will be greater clarification of the role of the Board, the role of individual Directors and the role of each Branch Council. Induction packages will be developed and some educational activities.

This is an exciting period for the College as we are preparing ourselves for the future. Please contact either myself or your local Branch if you have any questions, suggestions or comments regarding the above points.

A copy of the Constitution is on the College Web Page and can be viewed and printed by clicking here.

With kind regards to all
Dianne Ball

2007 ACHSE Gold Medal Award

Trevor Canning was the proud recipient of the 2007 ACHSE Gold Medal. The College Gold Medal is awarded annually for outstanding achievement. 

It is recognition by the College to one of its own. Past Gold Medal winners are a group of significant contributors to health management in general and our College.

Trevor is a very worthy recipient of this prestigious Award. The full Gold Medal citation for Trevor can be read by clicking here.

PICTURED RIGHT: Trevor Canning pictured receiving the Gold Medal from Federal President Dr Sally Torr

New Board Executive and Branch Presidents

At a special meeting of the Board of Directors held in Melbourne on 1 August 2007, the Board Executive was re-elected for the 2007/2008 College year:

• President - Sally Torr (New South Wales)
• Senior Vice President - Robert Grima (South Australia)
• Junior Vice President - Kate Copeland (Queensland)
• Honorary Treasurer - Philip Aylward (Western Australia)

Branch Presidents were invested with the Chain of Office at the recent AGM. Congratulations to the following people on their appointment for the upcoming year:

• Australian Capital Territory - Helen Tyrrell
• New South Wales - Richard Baldwin
• New Zealand - Trisha Dunn
• Northern Territory - Peter Campos
• Queensland - Peter McMurtrie
• South Australia - Robert Grima
• Tasmania - Rae DeSilva
• Victoria - Anne Bergin
• Western Australia - Patricia Canning
• Hong Kong - Hok Cheung Ma

Special tribute was paid to retiring Board members Trevor Canning and Mary Harris, both of whom have given exemplary service to the College over many, many years. The College welcomes new Board Directors, John Dennis (South Australia) and Patricia Canning (Western Australia).

Board of Directors

Pictured L-R Back Row: Godfrey Isouard, Patricia Canning, Kate Copeland, Anne Bergin, Robert Grima, Dennis Campbell, Philip Aylward, Anne-Marie Stranger, John Dennis, Terry O’Bryan, Hok Cheung Ma  Front: Jennie Baker, Sue McAlpin, Sally Torr, Trevor Canning, Trisha Dunn

Update from the Board Meeting held on 1 August 2007:

• ACHSE/SHAPE Health Service Management Workforce Research Proposal is being developed. Discussions have been held with Department of Health and Ageing and as a result, a full scale research proposal will be submitted.
• Changes made to the Memorandum and Articles, now to be called the constitution following the recent vote at the Annual General Meeting. Details are in CEO’s report.
• Survey results on the name of the College have been referred to Branches for discussion and feedback to Federal Council via the CEO.
• Expressions of interest will be called for the College Auditor.
• The Advocacy and Influencing role as used by the National Rural Health Alliance is being explored.
• A framework for ongoing management of strategic and operational issues is being explored. The Australian Business Excellence Framework is being considered as a guide.
• Positive feedback received on the Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management.
• Draft Delegations Manual prepared with good feedback received from Branches. Subject to some further adjustments, the Manual will define the parameters that the Board will operate within.
• Accreditation Training Program Outline prepared by Gary Day. Program provides for experienced surveyors to be teamed with new surveyors to ensure health courses meet an acceptable minimum standard of health management programs for admission/advancement in the College and that graduates have an acceptable skill standard. An independent representative on the Survey Team from Interstate as well as a SHAPE representative that is not employed by the University being surveyed has been agreed to.
• The Master of Health Science (Health Service Management) and Graduate Diploma in Health Science (Health Service Management) at the University of South Australia have been accredited for a four year period from 1 August 2007.
• The Master of Business Administration (Health Services) was also accredited for a four year period from 1 August 2007.
• Fellowship status granted to Hayden Wano, Brenda Rea and John Turner
• 2008 ACHSE National Congress to be held in Alice Springs from 6-8 August.

New Board Directors

John Dennis   BBus DipAcc JP FCHSE CHE

John is the Chief Executive Officer of Ananda Nursing Home in Hope Valley, South Australia. Prior to this John was CEO of the Australian Nursing Homes and Extended Care Association in South Australia. 

John has nearly thirty years experience in the public health sector in South Australia including acute medical and surgical care; aged care including nursing home care; community health services; disability services and mental health services. John is a former President of the South Australian Branch.

Patricia Canning   RN,RM, FCHSE, FRCNA, CHE, MHSM

Patricia is the Executive Manager/Director of Nursing at Craigmont Waters, Maylands, Western Australia. 

Patricia has worked in the health service industry for over 37 years in a range of management and leadership roles, including the role of Director of Nursing/Health Service Manager of public and private health services across the State including the largest regional hospital in Western Australia. Patricia is a Quality Assessor with the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency and is also a surveyor with the Australian Council on HealthCare Standards.

Patricia is the newly elected President of the ACHSE Western Australian Branch.

Fellowship

New College Fellows L-R; Hayden Wano, Brenda Rea and John Turner

Fellowship is the highest level of Membership within the College and demonstrates an ongoing commitment to excellence in health service management.

The College would like to welcome the following members as new Fellows of the College, having completed all examination and eligibility requirements. Congratulations on a fine achievement:

Australia

• John Turner

New Zealand

• Brenda Rea
• Hayden Wano

Hong Kong

• Anthony Wai Leung KWOK
• Stanley Ping Lun AU
• Fei Chau PANG
• Tammy SO
• Nelson WAT
• Ngai Chuen SIN
• Wai Kwong POON

Victorian Management Residency Trainees

Graduating Trainees pictured L-R: Anne Bergin, Victorian Branch President, Renee Cassidy, Shannon Checklin, Kade Dillon, Briana Geelen-Bass, Jade Johnston and David Webb, Vic State Director

The Management Residency Program began in the early 90's in Victoria as an initiative of the College's Victorian Branch.

The two year program combines academic and experiential training for management trainees and has produced over 70 graduates some of whom now occupy CEO positions in acute, aged care and private healthcare facilities.

The following people have successfully completed the program in 2006 and are all employed in the sector. They were presented with their certificates at the recent AGM in Melbourne.

• Renee Cassidy
• Shannon Checklin
• Kade Dillon
• Briana Geelen – Baass
• Jade Johnston

College Academic Prizes

The Grace Suleau Prize for the best grade point average in an Undergraduate Course in Health Management conducted throughout Australia was won by:

• Kate Ireland (La Trobe University)
• Thirunavukkarasu Krishan (University of New South Wales)

The Anthony Suleau Prize for the best grade point average in a Post Graduate Course in Health Management conducted throughout Australia was won by:

• Renee Cassidy (La Trobe University)

The Ian Brand Prize for the best grade point average in a Masters Course in Health Management conducted throughout Australia was won by:

• Jessica Byrne (Queensland University of Technology)

PICTURED (TOP): Kate Ireland pictured receiving her Award from Federal President Dr Sally Torr.

PICTURED (BOTTOM): Renee Cassidy pictured receiving her Award from Sally Torr, Federal President.

Life Membership

Dr Mary Harris

Dr. Mary Harris

Life membership is an Award and honour that can be bestowed by the Board after a Branch Council nomination. It requires a unanimous resolution of the Board of Directors. The principal criterion is “conspicuous service to ACHSE”. Dr Mary Harris has been awarded Life Membership in honour of her magnificent contributions to ACHSE over many years.

Mary has been a member of the College for more than 25 years and a Fellow for the past 17 years. She has announced her retirement as State Branch and Board Director.

Mary has been a true Champion of the College and her Life Membership and Gold Medal Awards bear testimony to the high esteem her College Peers hold her in.

Those awards were made prior to Mary’s tremendous efforts as inaugural Editor of the Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management.

Mary’s guidance and counsel to both Health Management Students and College members over the past 30 years has been truly outstanding.

She was a founding member of SHAPE and Chairperson and Treasurer for many years. In collaboration with her ACHSE and SHAPE colleagues she published the first and second editions of the book Managing Health Services: Concepts and Practice.

The Board is pleased to recognise Mary’s significant contribution to ACHSE over many years through this award of Life Membership.

Congratulations Mary.

Honorary Fellowship

Stephen McKernan

Stephen McKernan receiving his Honorary Fellowship from Dr Sally Torr

Stephen McKernan is the Director General, Ministry of Health, New Zealand. He is the principal advisor to the Minister of Health and has the key strategic role in leading the development and performance of the New Zealand health system.

Stephen has had an illustrious career in health management in New Zealand with Chief Executive roles in Counties Manukau and Hutt Valley District Health Boards.

Stephen has been awarded Honorary Fellowship of the College in recognition of his long term support to the New Zealand Institute of Health Management.

Stephen had several speaking roles at our recent National Congress and we look forward to his continued support.

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare
Review of National Safety and Quality Accreditation Standards

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare commenced its review of National Safety and Quality Accreditation Standards in November 2006. During the first half of 2007 stakeholder focus groups were held and written submissions were received.

Following approval from Health Ministers, the Commission has released the Report on Initial Stakeholder Consultation Review of National Safety and Quality Accreditation Standards July 2007 and Consultation Paper on An Alternative Model for Safety and Quality Accreditation of Healthcare. The Consultation Paper details recommendations for future national reform of the safety and quality accreditation system.

To see the Executive Summary of the Report on Initial Stakeholder Consultation Review of National Safety and Quality Accreditation Standards July 2007 and the Consultation Paper, please click here.

The Report on Initial Stakeholder Consultation Review of National Safety and Quality Accreditation Standards is available on the Commission’s web site www.safetyandquality.gov.au

Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management

Volume 2, Issue 2 is now in the mail and on its way to you. The cover of this issue is unmistakably Hong Kong with the Feature article by Dr Geoffrey Lieu, College Fellow on the reform process of aspects of the Hong Kong Health system. Seven original articles are presented in this issue as well as two book reviews, our regular Q and A’s section and the ACHSE Library Bulletin. Two sub themes have emerged from those presented, the first around quality and safety and the second around the most valuable resource of the health system - people.

We welcome articles at any time as well as your feedback. The Editor, David Briggs is keen to hear from College members who wish to have their say. Feel free to write a “Letter to the Editor”.

Papers must be original and address important and topical issues, such as, health system and workforce reform in countries throughout the Asia Pacific region and/or management of aged care services or mental health services or Aboriginal health services or rural health services. We are also looking for papers from the private sector as well as the public sector. 

Submitted articles can take various forms, examples of which appear in the first issue of the journal:

• Viewpoint - a practitioner oriented commentary about a topical and/or controversial health management issue with a view to encouraging discussion and debate among readers.
• Management practice - a practitioner oriented report of lessons learnt from current management practice.
• Research - an article reporting original empirical (quantitative or qualitative) and/or theoretical research relevant to the advancement of the management of health care organisations.
• Research note - such an article may report the findings of a pilot study or the first stage of a large complex study or address a theoretical or methodological issue etc.
• Review - a careful analysis of a management policy issue of current interest to health care managers.

A full description of Guidelines for Contributors is available by clicking here.

Vale 

Stanley Arthur Bingham

Stanley Bingham was a member of the College for more than 46 years. Trevor Myers has kindly written in memory of Stan.

Stan passed away on 6 August 2007. He had been in deteriorating health for quite some time.

Stan, though in poor health, always retained a strong interest in the Health Department/Commission to which he gave such long and loyal service. More importantly, he spoke with undisguised honesty and affection, and a fascinating sense of recall, about his former work colleagues. It was a joy to listen to Stan recite some of the situations he and his workmates experienced throughout his long and extremely productive working life.

Stan was always one of the first to render apologies for his inability to attend health reunions. (Punctuality was one of his strong suits). His Blue Mountains address and other factors prevented him from attending, much as he would have loved to. (He would have been dismayed and would instantly correct my bad English if he were still with us.) He diligently cared for his loving wife all their lives, particularly in her latter years. He spent his last years in the Queen Beatrix Hostel/Nursing Home in Albion Park, NSW in proximity to his family who cared for him.

I am both incapable and unqualified to eulogise Stan in the manner he deserves, so I will not try. Suffice to say that we who were fortunate to have known Stan will always remember him as being immensely articulate and competent, tremendously honest, with the utmost integrity and loyalty. Those who worked with Stan are lucky. Those trained by Stan are lucky and tremendously well trained.

Stan was always grateful for the continuing support and friendship of Ron Blacklock and his family among others. The Blacklock family visited Stan in their trips from New Zealand, even planning trips to Australia from New Zealand around calling in to see Stan. Stan was also extremely grateful to all who visited him, including Jack Duggan, and Lindsay and Wendy Beattie, who dropped in to see him within the last year.

Trevor Myers
Director of Administrative Services
Cumberland Hospital
New South Wales

Events

Mark these dates in your diary now!!

6-8 August 
National Congress 2008, Alice Springs
Call for Abstracts Coming soon.

Professional Development Events

ACHSE Trans Tasman Primary & Community Health Care Mini Study Tour
Melbourne, 5 - 8 August 2007

The College continues to provide experiential learning experiences through its offerings of study tours. This month a small group of primary and community health managers from around Australia and New Zealand met immediately after Congress in Melbourne to reflect on the current Victorian initiative and community care framework, Care in Your Community.

This particular tour was prompted by the 2 New Zealand study tours that preceded it - recognising that we have limited knowledge sharing amongst our own different health systems - let alone sharing of information around other international health systems - so a local sharing of information was deemed appropriate.

We are grateful to our Victorian primary and community health care colleagues who met with the group and shared their vision and interpretations of the framework set down by the Department of Human Services' Primary Care Branch for a more effective and integrated health system.

ACHSE Inaugural Trans Tasman Aged Care Study Tour
Brisbane and Auckland, 18 to 23 November, 2007

Managing and delivering aged care services is becoming an increasingly complex and highly rigorous task. Added to that is the constant pressure of limited resources (both human and capital) to deliver health care services to an increasing number of older people who are living longer and with a greater sense of expectation.

This inaugural study tour focussing specifically on aged care services will be a timely opportunity to explore and examine models in Australia and New Zealand of aged care delivery in short-term and long-term care settings, e.g. community and home based care, residential, hospital and palliative care.

As with the other College study tours, this personal and professional development activity will expose participants to other models of care and different ways of doing things that in turn will give you that reflection time to consider how you might translate those learnings into your own workplace.

The tour will also focus on international trends in aged care service planning, design and facilities, thanks to the knowledge and expertise of world renowned architects working in this sector, Thomson Adsett Architects. The program also includes a visit to a unique organisation called YoungCare (www.youngcare.com.au) who are leading the way in helping to create change in the way we look after young Australians with high care needs.

Although this program has been developed to allow for participants to take part in the week-long study tour, we recognise that some Australian participants may have difficulty in getting approval for international travel and therefore provision has been made for some participants to undertake the Australian only activities. 

Please click here for a copy of the Preliminary Program and Key Objectives.

Non ACHSE Industry Events

Management of Health Services, Field Study Course
16-22 September 2007, Beijing and Hong Kong

The International Hospital Federation together with partners, the National Association of Health Industry of China and the Management Society for Healthcare Professionals (Hong Kong) are inviting senior health leaders around the world to take part in a 2-site (Beijing and Hong Kong) management study tour which will provide opportunities to learn more about:

• Two different systems within one country as well as variations within both;
• Approaches to health system reform;
• The balance between autonomy and regulation
• Privatisation of services
• Approaches to integration of services including clustering;
• Management of a pandemic;
• Own system by reflecting on learning from programme and interaction with contributors and other participants

Please click here for further information and details, including registration form.

Upcoming Branch Events

• New Zealand Institute of Health Management National Conference in association with RACMA.
  Thursday 20 and Friday 21 September 2007. “The New Zealand Health Sector: Performance , Productivity and Evolution”. Rotorua.
  For Conference Program and Information Click here.

ACHSE Member Advantage

The Australian College of Health Service Executives are pleased to offer you access to a range of outstanding savings on lifestyle and business products through Member Advantage. Member Advantage has specifically negotiated arrangements with many high profile suppliers, make the most of your membership and utilise these benefits:

• Health Insurance - save 5%
• Car Hire - exclusive rates and package
• Home loans - save on interest rates and fees
• Qantas Club - corporate membership
• Car buying service - fleet prices
• Insurances - Professional Indemnity, Income Protection, Life, Travel, Car, House and Contents
• Many more

Visit www.member-advantage.com/achse to find out more information
or call Member Advantage on 1300 853 352.

Member Advantage Insurance and Superannuation Services is managed by Countrywide Tolstrup Financial Services Group Pty Ltd (ABN 51 586 953 292) Australian Financial Services Licence number is 244436. * Countrywide Tolstrup Financial Services Pty Ltd is also a Corporate Authorised Representative of Millennium3 Financial Services Pty Ltd (ABN 61 094 529 987) Australian Financial Services License number is 244252.

Staff in Profile

Each month we will bring to you a brief introduction to the dedicated staff who keep our College running on a day to day basis.

Debbie Simula
Membership Services Officer
ACHSE National Office

I have been working at the National Office since March 2005 when I was employed on a six month contact. Well I'm still here.

My role is to maintain the membership database, process membership payments and reconcile the bank accounts. I am also a central contact person for membership queries, both from members and internally.

I have had a varied work history with time spent at UWS-Hawkesbury both in their Finance Department and Student Administration where I learned about B&S balls. I then headed to London for four years where I worked with major companies including Marks & Spencers and Andersen Consulting in various finance and administration roles.

Whilst in London I took the opportunity to do extensive travelling. Highlights included touring Europe by Kombi for six months, camping in Russia and Scandinavia, camel riding in Egypt and then the highlight of travelling through Africa for 5 months on the way home.

Life now is quite different with three young girls. My time is now spent as the taxi service to sporting events and training for my girls. 

Thank you to our National Sponsor

Blake Dawson Waldron is the largest dedicated National Health Law Practice in Australia with a history of 150 years of service.

Types of legal services typically provided to the health industry include major privatisation, commercialisation, advice on commercial employment and medical appointment issues, interpretation of health legislation, coronial inquests, commercialisation of intellectual property, information technology and health law.

Blake Dawson Waldron have been supporters of the College for many years and as major sponsors of the College we are grateful for their support in so many ways.

A special presentation was made to Wayne Cahill, Partner at our recent AGM in appreciation of Blake Dawson Waldron’s support of the College.

ACHSE National Sponsor

Blake Dawson Waldron are long term sponsors of the Australian College of Health Service Executives. They are a leading international law firm with 150 years of service. To find out more information on the services offered by Blake Dawson Waldron, please click here.

Corporate Subscribers

The college would like to acknowledge the following organisations who have joined our Corporate subscriber category. If you would like more information on becoming a Corporate subscriber, please contact the College Office on 02 9878-5088 or e-mail achse@achse.org.au

• Australian Council on Health Care Standards
• National Library Of Australia
• Alice Springs Hospital
• Department of Health and Community Services
• Gardiner Library Service
• National Rural Health Alliance Inc
• University of New England
• State Library of New South Wales
• Strategy Solutions
• Department of Health and Ageing
• Department of Health Library and Information Services
• Finlaysons Lawyers
• HESTA
• Fisher Jeffries Barristers and Solicitors