UTAS and DHHS work together to launch new degree
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DHHS Newsletter –AUGUST 2008
UTAS and DHHS work together to launch new degree
The University of Tasmania and DHHS environmental health standards: “The scope of the role
is broad, dealing with issues including food safety, air and
have worked together through the water quality, solid waste management, health promotion
Partners in Health initiative to introduce a epidemiology, communicable diseases prevention
and control, noise pollution and the use of hazardous
new course by the School of Human Life
substances… just to name a few,” Dr Taylor said.
Sciences – Bachelor of Health Science It is a 3.5 year course with only the first two years
(Environmental Health), offered in on-campus, allowing students to be employed as trainee
Launceston in 2008. environmental health officers before they are fully
qualified and gain practical experience as they study.
Director of Public Health, Dr Roscoe Taylor welcomed The project, which commenced in 2006, has involved
the new course: “It has been recognised across extensive work by UTAS, DHHS’s Public and
Australia that we need improved qualifications to help Environmental Health Service and the Environmental
Environmental Health Officers meet the increasing Health Australia (formerly Australian Institute of
demands of the job. A Degree in Environmental Health Environmental Health). It will operate under the Partners
is generally regarded as the minimum qualification for an in Health Program – unique in Australia and formed
Environmental Health Officer. The establishment of the because the DHHS and the UTAS Faculty of Health
degree course by the University of Tasmania will bring Science identified the importance of a strong partnership
us into line with other states and territories. It will also to collaborate in terms of the health workforce, health
increase the number and capacity of qualified people research and health education.
to meet future workforce demands and environmental
The first graduates are expected by 2011.
health challenges.”
Graduates will work in positions responsible for
implementing public health legislation and monitoring many
Department of Health and Human Ser vices
From the Secretary
Hello and welcome to another This represents an outstanding example of how
the integration of professionals across a range of
addition of People Matters – our DHHS services can work – Clodagh was helped by
newsletter for all DHHS staff. representatives from ICU, Emergency Department,
Neurological, Dwyer and Hyperbaric Medicine
Since our last edition much has been achieved Units and Tasmanian Ambulance Service personnel,
around our agenda to make sure the DHHS is along with our much valued volunteers on her
achieving the best possible outcomes it can for the road to recovery. Congratulations to all involved
Tasmanian community – and I’d like to take this – a fantastic illustration of our staff delivering high
opportunity to thank each and every one of you quality care.
who are providing services right now, and those I would love more invitations to visit staff and
of you that are building on improving services for facilities from around the State.
the future. To aid us we’ve received funding from
the Government for a range of exciting reforms: Contact me at ots.mailbox@dhhs.tas.gov.au if you
to Disability Services and Children and Family would like to show me around or just to have a
Services, for the development of integrated care coffee and chat about what is going on.
centres and other health centre upgrades, and also Regards,
for development of our IT systems across the State
– to name a few.
David Roberts
While it is fantastic that we are receiving
investment for large scale projects such as these, Secretary, DHHS
it is still the stories I hear in my various travels
around the State that I like to point out as the
best example to all of us of how we can look
after people and find the best way of doing it.
Last month, the remarkable story of 31-year-old
Irish tourist Clodagh Murray was recounted to
me. While undertaking an advanced diving course
at Eaglehawk Neck, Clodagh was found in 7m of
water with her regulator out of her mouth and her
mask partly displaced. After being retrieved to the
surface by her fellow divers she was given
CPR for 35 minutes and finally airlifted to Hobart
via helicopter.
Upon reaching the Royal Hobart Hospital
Emergency Department, she was then transferred
to the ICU where she remained in a critical
condition for seven days. Gradual stabilisation led Clodagh (fifth from right) farewells her rescuers
to rehabilitation from staff across the RHH. Almost including RHH nursing and medical staff along with
five weeks later Clodagh was discharged into the Tasmanian Ambulance Service staff and volunteers
care of her family who had come from Ireland to be at the RHH Hyperbaric Medicine Unit.
at her side. She will have no lasting health issues as
a result of this incident.
peoplematters – August 2008
Program Facilitators from left to right: Mary, Paul and Alison. in this edition…
UTAS and DHHS launch new degree 1
Smoke free program From the Secretary 2
Smoke free program 3
The Smoke Free Program for People with
Office for the Community Sector Update 4
a Mental Illness is a collaborative initiative
between Mental Health Service South and Vale, Victoria Rigney 5
the Alcohol and Drug Service (ADS) and is Sustainable farm families 6
facilitated by Mary Rayner (Social Worker) What’s happening in Ward 1E 7
and Alison Smith (Clinical Nurse) ADS. The
Activities and events – DHHS intranet 7
program was devised by SANE Australia.
Child Protection Awards Program 8
In conjunction with peer support facilitator Paul Askey, they
are currently running their fifth program. The program runs North West
for 10 weeks and is based on motivational interviewing and innovation service development 9
cognitive behavioural therapy principles. “The program is
about lifestyle change with an emphasis on healthy eating New Royal Project 9
and exercise,” Mary said.
North West Regional Hospital
“Whilst the aim is to give up completely, we are happy with
any cuts in cigarette consumption,” Alison added. strategic planning session 10
Midway through the program, the current group has Disability reform announced 11
already reported cutting down cigarette consumption by
half. According to Paul Askey, the success of the program is Telehealth video conferencing systems:
measured in lots of different ways. connecting us with the world 12
“The program changes the way you think about yourself News and announcements 12
and the benefits are greater self esteem, self confidence and
self respect as well as a healthier lifestyle,” Paul said. He also
stated that being a peer facilitator had been a very positive
experience for him.
“Both government and community sector organisations and
staff are encouraged to pass on information about the program
to their clients,” Alison said. “We hope to run another
program later in the year.”
For more information contact Mary via email:
mary.rayner@dhhs.tas.gov.au or
Alison at: alison.smith@dhhs.tas.gov.au
peoplematters – August 2008 
Office for the Community Sector update
Three months since the Office was
integrated finance and performance management
formed, strategies are moving fast: framework. This strategy, which will completely
review the grants approval and management process,
Associate Professor Des Graham, Director, said that there will be progressed in close consultation with DHHS
was a significant body of work to be done over the next operational units as well as the community sector.
12 months, but he was pleased with progress to date.
• A draft communications plan has been prepared in
Since the formation of the Office: consultation with the Communications Unit.
• A strategic directions paper has been drafted in • Following the end-of-year peak, the Grants unit has
consultation with internal stakeholders, and is now now relocated to the Office for the Community Sector
out for consultation with community sector at 188 Collins Street.
organisations. The directions paper is due to be
finalised by October 2008. “The period up to Christmas will be extremely busy
as we bed down the establishment of the Office and
• A manager for quality and safety, Ms Liz O’Malley, progress work on our major strategic directions,” Des
has been appointed and a working group reporting to said. “All of our work must be done in close consultation
the Agency Sector Forum has been formed to with both operational units and community sector
progress the strategy. A draft discussion paper outlining organisations, and we welcome ongoing communication
the way forward in this important area is currently and feedback from all of our stakeholders as we progress
near completion. the new financial and performance model and the quality
• Plans are advancing for the development of an and safety strategy.”
The Office for the Community Sector can be contacted on 6233 8533.
The draft strategic directions paper is on the DHHS public website.
Representatives of the Launceston community providing input to the community sector strategic plan.
peoplematters – August 2008
Vale, Victoria Rigney
It is with great sorrow that DHHS Victoria’s academic training, eclectic knowledge and gift
with the pen gave her the ability to focus on evidence-
farewells Victoria Rigney, a valued based practice to integrate ideas and approaches, and
colleague and friend to many. to articulate policy positions and policy development
processes still in use today. Her intelligence, knowledge
Victoria’s career in DHHS and the public sector was one of the community and strong commitment to fairness
of great achievement, compassion and a commitment to and equity was evident throughout her working life, and
social justice. beyond it.
Victoria began her working life in Tasmania in 1979 in As well as her work achievements, Victoria was a
the Department of Community Welfare as a Child celebrated author. Her accomplishments include not
Welfare Officer in Queenstown. She held many roles only the history of Service Tasmania, but the history of
in the Department in its various iterations, including St Anne’s Homes. She is the author of Peace Comes
Program Officer for Neighbourhood Houses, Education Walking, a book about the founder of Friends, Donald
and Training Officer, Family Violence Project Officer Groom. She is also the author of another book, Dancing
and Senior Project Officer - Human Rights and Equal on the Edge of the Empire, a story about the life and times
Opportunity Commission’s Inquiry into the Separation of of Princess Melikoff, which was launched on 19 June – less
Indigenous Children from their Families. than three weeks before she died.
In 1997 she was promoted to the role of Senior Policy Victoria was also active in the community. She was
Officer, Mental Health. Her application from that time a music lover who was instrumental in starting and
says that her career objective was “to use and develop organising a number of community choirs in Hobart, and
my skills as a policy analyst, researcher, writer and who contributed her time to charities and community
negotiator in areas that provide me with challenges and organisations such as Louis’ Van.
opportunities, so that I may continue to contribute to the When Victoria was diagnosed with cancer she was given
health and wellbeing of people in Tasmania”. 10 months to live. That she doubled that time says much
She certainly achieved this aim, going on to hold various about the type of person she was – determined, engaged,
positions in policy development before becoming and living life to the full right to the end. Even in her final
Manager of the Policy Unit for Community, Population months she continued to advocate for others, publicly
and Rural Health where, amongst other achievements, speaking out about the need for better options for
she put together a guide to policy development that has people living inappropriately in aged care facilities because
been used by many of us in DHHS. of a lack of appropriate alternatives.
In 2002, Victoria had a stint in the Department of Those of us who worked with and were friends with
Premier and Cabinet, where she wrote the history of Victoria will miss her energy and enthusiasm, her
Service Tasmania. Her most recent position was back in commitment to improving the world, and her integrity
DHHS as Principal Policy Analyst in Clinical Performance and warm friendship. Our hearts go out to her daughter
and Emergency Management. Sophie, who can be assured that her mother will be
Victoria was a strong mentor for workers new to policy. remembered with love and respect by all who knew her.
One of them, Rick, says that sitting in her office was like Carole Owen and Julian Joscelyne, with thanks to
being invited and welcomed into a close friend’s home. Sue Jones and Barbara Lypka.
She imparted her enthusiasm for policy and imbued any
work with a sense of fun.
peoplematters – August 2008 
Above: Label reading in the supermarket.
Right: Lester Jones taking the group through Farm Health and Safety issues.
SUSTAINABLE farm families
Sustainable Farm Families (SFF) was “Several clinical facilitators trained in the model, took
part in delivering the workshop program which provided
developed by the Western District information on cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes,
Health Service in Victoria, and aims women and men’s health, stress, depression, farm
safety, nutrition and exercise. Each participant received
to identify and address health issues
a comprehensive health assessment and resource kit to
impacting on farming families. help them to identify and recognise the specific health
needs of themselves and their families,” Di said.
The DHHS Primary Health Implementation Plan
recognises that bringing together local communities, Participants included Sharan McLaran, Nurse Unit
health providers, and other key partners offers Manager, Smithton District Hospital; Tim Smith, Primary
real opportunities to explore new collaborative ways Health Care Worker, Campbell Town Multi Purpose
of working. Service; Lester Jones, Director of Nursing/Manager,
Deloraine District Hospital and Community Health
Introducing the SFF model to Tasmania has provided Services; and Maree Gleeson, Research Fellow, Rural
Primary Health the opportunity to work in partnership Clinical School, University of Tasmania.
with the University Department of Rural Health, local
farming communities and the primary industry sector to The Victorian research is showing that farmers who have
deliver a health gain program for farmers in Tasmania. completed the program have reported that taking part
in the program has enhanced their overall health with
Di Driscoll, Senior Consultant, Policy and Projects for everything from better eating to improved farm safety.
Primary Health commented: “The Tasmanian project has Some also found that they were able to make better
been strongly supported by dairy farmer families in the decisions because they had a new perspective of how
Circular Head area and local agricultural and community- important their health and families were in their lives.
based organisations. Industry has also been significantly All farmers completing the program in Victoria have
involved through assistance with funding and recruitment recommended it to other farmers and helped shape the
provided by Fonterra Australia, Incitec Pivot, the Circular development of the program.
Head Council and the ANZ Banking Group to support
the pilot program”. The outcomes of the Tasmanian project will be known
following evaluation next year. For more information
The SSF workshop for dairy farmers in the Circular Head contact Di Driscoll or Stuart Auckland (Assistant
area was held on 3 and 4 July. The program is designed Director, University Department of Rural Health)
around offering information and skills based workshops to on 03 6324 4035.
farmers and their families. Sixteen participants took part For information on the Victorian program visit:
in the program.
www.sustainablefarmfamilies.org.au
peoplematters – August 2008
Activities and events –
DHHS intranet
The Communications Unit is launching
Cat Schofield, Strategic Nurse Co-ordinator, Ward 1E.
a new area on the Agency’s intranet
which will highlight current activities
and events within the DHHS and
What’s happening in Ward 1E in our local communities that are of
interest to all employees.
Cat Schofield, Strategic Nurse
Co-ordinator at Ward 1E has been Erin Khan, Acting Intranet Coordinator, is looking
forward to the opportunity to provide a dedicated
on board for five months and her space to help promote the many worthy causes out
primary focus is to implement the there. “Each day we receive information about great
recommendations from the Santangelo causes and we’re looking forward to being able to
further support and help raise the profile of these
Report as part of the overall and ongoing activities,” she said.
organisational culture change within The types of events to be promoted in this area will be
Mental Health Services. selected against the following criteria
• Health and wellbeing focus
Cat outlined a range of activities and initiatives that Ward • Supporting our funded NGOs
1E are currently involved in that include working with
• Supporting medical research
Laurel House to address the unit’s response to allegations
• Supporting the employee work/life balance.
of sexual assault. “We are currently rolling out training to
all staff,” Cat said. Erin Khan advised that this new area will grow over the
coming months and is encouraging all staff to contribute.
“We have also implemented a new sexual safety policy
“We are encouraging everyone to put on their thinking
and have recruited an external consultant to assist us with
caps and supply details of these activities which we can
team building.”
help promote,” Erin said.
The unit has also been looking at the way it handles
It will include internal information about charitable
incidents, complaints and compliments. “We recognise
fund-raising events such as the Cancer Council’s Biggest
that we need to be more proactive, open and transparent
Morning Tea and Jeans for Genes Day.
in how we manage complaints from staff and consumers,”
Cat said. We are also doing a lot of practice development Events and activities can be emailed to
work to create a culture by which we can question our intranet.coordinator@dhhs.tas.gov.au
own practice and through that, develop more robust
clinical practices.
“Change is an ongoing process and there is a natural
resistance to it. For us to be successful, we need to look at Name change for Ward 1E
ongoing structures, practises and strategies that will ensure
that changes is sustainable over time.” On 1 July, the Minister for Health and Human
Services, Lara Giddings announced that a
Alongside the model is a national research project which
consultation process would be embarked upon
is being conducted by the Queensland Centre for Mental
later in the year with a view to changing the
Health Research (Dr Geoff Waghorn) which will be
name of Ward 1E.
conducting national research to collect data and measure
the ongoing success of the model. “Given the amount of organisational change
taking place, the existing name no longer
Already, plans are afoot to place an employment specialist
captures the true spirit of the Ward,”
in another southern community team.
Ms Giddings said.
peoplematters – August 2008 
Child Protection Awards Program
The Child Protection Awards Program has The award categories are:
been introduced to acknowledge those • Professional services (non-government);
• Public sector;
individuals and organisations whose efforts • Strengthening communities, regional programs;
help protect Tasmania’s children and keep • Education and awareness; and
• Volunteers.
them safe.
There will also be a state award which will be selected
The aim of the annual program is to recognise outstanding from the regional applications for the awards.
service provision and leadership in improving the lives The regional award will consist of a $500 voucher for each
of vulnerable children, young people and their families in of the five categories and the state award will consist of
Tasmania. a $1 000 voucher to be spent on an activity or resource
Children and Family Services Director, Mark Byrne, associated with professional development or learning that
is excited about the inaugural program. “The awards is associated with the wellbeing of children. All state and
provide an opportunity to publicly recognise individuals regional winners will also receive a framed certificate.
and organisations from all levels of government and the Awards will be presented at statewide presentations
community who work diligently to protect and enhance during Child Protection Week, 7–13 September.
the lives of children in Tasmania,” Mark said.
Readers are encouraged to nominate an individual or
The awards program is also intended to raise community group within the children and family services sector who
awareness of the need for everyone in the community to contributes to the welfare of vulnerable children, young
share in the responsibility of protecting our children and people and their families.
keeping them safe.
For further information on the Child Protection Awards Program please visit:
www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/protectionawards
peoplematters – August 2008
Allan Lobwein (Team Leader), Diane Gray, Clinical
Nurse Specialist, Jan Jordan, Community Nurse,
Adam Micallef, Psychologist, Elizabeth Burgess,
Administration Support
North West innovation in service development
In the absence of a step the management of a two bedroom “Family-based care will provide
unit in close proximity to the hospital. community support and he would also
down facility in the North Funding from the Pathways project was be a good candidate for the Red Cross
West, the area has arrived used to furnish the unit and it is now Mates program.
at an innovative solution ready for its first client. “Our goal is to provide him with a stable
that may assist in shortening Allan Lobwein, Team Leader Older community based living arrangement
Persons Mental Health Service, spoke that will avoid the need for him going
the length of stay of patients about the goals and aspirations of into an aged residential facility and
at the Spencer Clinic. the project. potentially allow him to return to his
“The first client is a man who has been home if he is able to re-achieve stable
Area Manager of Mental Health Services in hospital for six months with a chronic community living.
North West, Phil Eddy, worked with the psychotic illness. He is 73 and under “If this trial works, we hope to develop
Area Manager for Housing to discuss the guardianship and unable to return to a number of units which can be used
idea of Mental Health Services taking his home because of the high level of for short or long-term transition from
over the management of housing units support he requires,” Allan said. inpatient care. The units could also be
for clients who need a staged transition used for out-of-town cases who need
“We are hoping to establish him in
inpatient treatment. support in order to prevent admission
this unit and continue to support him
The discussions have resulted in Mental in partnership with a range of other to hospital.”
Health Services North West taking over community sector organisations.
New Royal Project
Preliminary site plans have been
released for a new Royal Hobart
Hospital at the preferred site,
Macquarie Point Railyards. View looking south west.
Project Manager Ben Moloney said “The project
is progressing well and is on target to present a plans, for inclusion in the Business Case. To provide
Business Case to Cabinet in December 2008. The feedback complete and post or email the feedback form
preferred site offers us an excellent opportunity to available at the project website or email your comments
build a modern environmentally friendly hospital that to newroyalproject@dhhs.tas.gov.au. The team requests
will benefit patients, visitors and staff, while being the that all feedback be provided by the closing date
catalyst for revitalisation of the site.” Monday 1 September.
Ben and the New Royal Project team would like The plans are available on the project website at
your feedback and comments, on the preliminary www.newroyal.tas.gov.au.
peoplematters – August 2008 
North West Regional Hospital strategic planning session
Recently the North West Regional Health (NWRH) services leaders spent a weekend
away working together in a planning session to discuss key goals that the NWRH can
strive for throughout 2008–2009.
The leaders included managers and representatives from
the Rural Clinical School, executive team members from
the North West Regional Hospital and representatives
from Primary Health.
For your information and to gauge our progress,
the issues discussed and agreed are:
Quality: It is our intent to ensure that all services provided
are of a high quality, are safe and reliable and meet the
needs of our patients. We acknowledge that this goal will
require building capacity and capability where it is needed,
not necessarily in hospitals alone.
Unity: To succeed in improving the health status of the From Left: Paula Hyland, Scott Fletcher, Marcus Skinner, Karen
North West’s population we must work in partnership Linegar and Jane Holden presenting at the GP North West Cradle
with our own teams, with all local providers. There must Mountain Education Event.
be unity of purpose and a shared vision. There is not a
single provider in the North West that has the capacity and
infrastructure to move forward independently. and the outputs they achieve. We are determined to offer
value for money.
Innovation: As the health demand changes, the status
quo becomes less and less viable. We are committed to Evaluation: The burden of chronic disease is growing,
being innovative in our practices and are prepared to the resources available to meet the demands will not
incubate new ideas and models of care. We will always do be able to grow at the same rate. We accept and are
this in a patient-focused environment that is committed to committed to a process of ongoing review to ensure that
teaching, learning and research and is well supported by the resources available within the North West are used
the Rural Clinical School. more effectively.
Communication: Understanding issues, contributing to Positive: We are collectively excited about the future
planning, and being kept up-to-date is essential in an effective for health service provision in the North West. We
health service. This applies to planning patient/client care are determined to provide energetic leadership and
with the patient, passing on patient/client information in a responsiveness. To this end we will be focussed on the
timely fashion, seeking community participation in planning future, on developing strong links with the community and
options, sharing progress and challenges. “Not knowing” is health service providers. We will develop stronger, more
a very unsatisfactory and often scary position for people to positive links with those to the West of the North West
be in and we are determined to improve our communication Regional Hospital and the East.
across the board. We collectively agree that our future is bright although
Participation: In addition to communication we wish to not without its challenges. However we are determined
create an environment of participation in the development to meet these challenges head-on and ensure all the staff
of health services. This participation includes providers, working with us are aware of our progress.
consumers and communities at large. The Hospital’s CEO and Clinical Directors recently
Responsible: We acknowledge the privileged position presented the above key goals to GP North West at their
that we hold as providers of health services funded by Cradle Mountain Education Event.
tax payers. We will deliver on the public expectations of us We invite all staff to work with us as we embark
including access to surgical intervention. We are prepared to on the journey for a brighter future for health in
be transparent in our utilisation of these scarce resources our region.
10 peoplematters – August 2008Disability reforms announced
On 17 June, Minister Giddings announced
major reforms to Tasmania’s disability
services sector. The Government has
accepted all seven recommendations
made in the Final Report of the Review
of Disability Services, and unveiled a three
year implementation plan for the changes.
The disability reforms will be funded through substantial
additional funding to the sector. As part of the 2008
State Budget, the Treasurer announced an additional $50
million would be made available over the next four years in
partnership with the Australian Government. The funding
will allow an extra 1 000 Tasmanians to receive support
over the next four years.
The reforms will be implemented by the new Systems
Establishment and Reform Unit, which will be headed up Minister Giddings announces the disability reforms at
by Aileen Ashford. To further develop the implementation the Moonah Arts Centre on 17 June.
arrangements, leaders from both the family and disability
sectors will participate in the first Future Communities
Stakeholder Forum during August. • E nhancing the capacity of the workforce to give effect
Human Services Deputy Secretary Alison Jacob says : “The to the forward direction for disability services;
engagement with stakeholders will be key to the success • The development of a continuum of service options,
of the reforms. We’ll be consulting in a variety of ways, to which will ensure a better match between need and
make sure DHHS staff, non-government services and of intensity of support;
course people with a disability and their families have their
say on the new service system.” • Implementation of consistent and transparent eligibility
determination and prioritisation procedures for
The key elements of the Government’s reforms to the
accessing disability services; and
disability sector will be:
• Visible entry points to disability services to enable
• Implementation of clear shared governance
improved access to specialist disability supports for
arrangements to oversee disability services – at a
statewide and a regional level; people with disabilities and a centralised approach to
the management of demand at the regional level.
• R
esponsibility for all direct service delivery to be
devolved to the NGO sector over a three year period;
• D
evelopment of a resource allocation and funding
model which considers relative population need and risk, If you would like further information
historic inequities in service access, reasonable costs of
service delivery, and consistency in funding amongst the about the review recommendations and
providers within a region;
the way forward for disability services, the
• ‘Planning by location’ processes to ensure services are
better targeted to community needs; final report and associated resources can
• Establishing appropriate outcomes and measures of be accessed through the Department’s
effectiveness which are meaningful to individuals;
• R
efining the existing quality systems to focus monitoring website at:
of performance and quality improvement in terms of www.dhhs.tas.gov.au
outcomes for clients, organisational compliance with
standards of good practice, and sector-wide health,
innovation and growth;
peoplematters – August 2008 11news &
announcements
Telehealth’s video
conferencing systems: Health workforce study tour
Chief Nursing Officer, Fiona Stoker will lead a 19
connecting us member health professional study tour to the
United States and United Kingdom from 27 August
to the world to 9 September 2008.
http://intra.dhhs.tas.gov.au/dhhs-online/page.
Over the last few months, General php?id=24470
Practice Workforce Tasmania has Quantitative research methods
conducted employment interviews to workshop
the US, UK, South Africa, Botswana A workshop for those who wish to undertake
and Trinidad and all have been done descriptive or lower level inferential statistical
analysis of a quantitative data set. Participants
using DHHS’s video conferencing units. are encouraged to bring along your own data
set for analysis. Registrations close on 20 August.
With high definition, state-of-the-art networking
and infrastructure, the clarity of sound and picture is http://intra.dhhs.tas.gov.au/dhhs-online/page.
making the process of conducting fair and accurate php?id=24416
interviews much easier for both candidates and panel
members. “It feels like they are in the same room,”
Commissioner’s Direction 1:
said Gina Harvey from GP Workforce. “You can Information for managers
observe the body language and other non-verbal
The State Service Commissioner has issued a new
signals which provide you a more realistic interaction
Commissioners’ Direction which outlines Employment
with the candidates. Combine that with the
in the State Service. The document is available at:
professional staff at Telehealth who are always willing
to help us to link with some fairly remote areas with http://www.ossc.tas.gov.au/cd/CD1-2008.pdf.
people who are not always technologically savvy.”
Switched on Safety workshops
General Practice Workforce Tasmania has been able
to make some significant cost savings as it is much A one day workshop designed to inform managers
cheaper to make a video conference call than it is of their health and safety responsibilities and how to
to make a conventional telephone call, and in some meet them. It is relevant to anyone who manages or
cases the video call is free. supervises people at work.
With the current rollout of the new Telehealth video http://intra.dhhs.tas.gov.au/dhhs-online/page.
conferencing systems, the facilities will be available in php?id=24383
over 100 sites right across the State. This will mean
health professionals will be able to hold clinics and DHHS Telehealth
patient reviews online. This is a major benefit for Community of interest group
patients who will not have to travel for care and
If you are interested in contributing to such a
doctors will be able to consult with more patients,
group, please email Kathy Kirby, Program Manager,
more effectively.
VirtualCare@Tas at:
For more information contact:
kathy.kirby@dhhs.tas.gov.au
Tammy McCance on 6222 7408 or
email tammy.mccance@dhhs.tas.gov.au Uni Info Day 2008
You can also visit the Telehealth website: Information about professional and personal
http://intra.dhhs.tas.gov.au/dhhs-online/page development pathways.
php?id=7617 www.utas.edu.au/infodaypeoplematters – August 2008 13
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