Job cuts to cripple health policy development in NSW

The slashing of hundreds of jobs from the NSW Department of Health will jeopardise the development of health policy in NSW and undermine quality control of health services, the Public Service Association said today.

Health Minister Jillian Skinner announced 300 jobs would be cut, including 100 from NSW Health head office.

The PSA has been told that the positions will be cut through targeted cuts, with no voluntary redundancies to be offered. The job cuts will be completed by the middle of next year.

"The work carried out by head office staff has a direct impact on the delivery of appropriate services to some of the most vulnerable people in our society," said PSA Principal Industrial Officer Ayshe Lewis.

"Today's announcement cuts the number of head office employees by about one-third. While some of the positions are vacant, most of those are filled by temporary staff who are carrying out the work.

"Our state is growing and our health needs are becoming more complex - this move will put NSW at a severe disadvantage in developing smart responses to the health challenges ahead."

Employees at NSW Health head office are responsible for developing health policy in a broad range of areas including drug and alcohol, Aboriginal health, the elderly and disease control; as well as monitoring and auditing statewide health services and promoting population-wide health programs.

They are also responsible for overseeing the transition to a federal health system.

"It's a furphy that cutting these positions will not impact on the delivery of frontline health services," said Ms Lewis.

"The delivery of effective services is dependent on smart policy and program design. Health professionals on the frontline can't do their jobs if they don't have expert guidance and support."