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Sydney Morning Herald
15-05-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Beyond comprehension': The massive blind spot in NSW's health funding
Beasley said the failure to embed prevention into the health system despite repeated evidence and recommendations was 'beyond comprehension'. 'So, too, is how we have allowed NSW public hospitals to have so many patients in wards for extended periods of time beyond any need for acute care to be provided to them, many of whom are elderly Australians who could and should be cared for in aged-care facilities,' he said. Beasley scolded Australian governments for not imposing a sugar tax, describing this as a 'monumental failure' amid rising obesity rates. The report recommended that preventative healthcare be made a whole-of-NSW government priority and tasked the state government with delivering primary care and aged care in communities that lacked access to either. Loading 'For a health system to function as we would want it to, primary care cannot be allowed to wither. If that happens, we will pay for it in worse health outcomes and poorer population health,' Beasley said. Access to Commonwealth funding streams 'should clearly be pursued by the NSW government', but delivering care 'should not await the outcome of those intergovernmental discussions', the report said. The report backed health economist Stephen Duckett's view that there had been a 'collapse of workforce planning' in Australia's healthcare system, which relied on internationally trained doctors and nurses because 'we have not grown and trained our own', a shortage of GPs, psychiatrists, radiologists, nurses and midwives, which hit regional and rural areas hardest. He noted NSW Health staff had not had a significant pay rise for more than a decade, and suffered from high levels of burnout. 'Some, I suppose, might regard this as a 'woke' topic. It is not,' Beasley said. 'Workforce stress, fatigue, and burnout are serious issues, and particularly so in a public health system. 'It is not the task of this special commission to determine pay rates or other award conditions for workers in the NSW Health system. It is a fact, though, that many no longer share income parity with their counterparts in other states.' But the commission outlined a scaffold for an award reform process conducted by the Industrial Relations Commission, which the Health Services Union has welcomed. The Special Commission of Inquiry was an election promise by the Minns government in response to the HSU's calls for a royal commission-style inquiry into the sustainability of the NSW Healthcare system. Health Minister Ryan Park said the government will consider the findings. 'The NSW health system is one of the highest performing in the world, supported by the most talented and dedicated clinicians and workers,' Park said. 'It doesn't mean that we don't have our challenges, and it doesn't mean we can't find more ways to improve.' Health Services Union secretary Gerard Hayes said NSW had the opportunity to fundamentally shift the healthcare system 'from costly emergency and surgical intervention to allied and preventative care [which] will save money and improve people's health, which is not only good for individuals but the wider community'. NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce welcomed Beasley's characterisation of the health workforce as 'NSW Health's greatest asset', and acknowledged 'the longstanding recruitment issues, particularly in regional, rural and remote areas'.
Sydney Morning Herald
02-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Health Workers Union put into administration as secretary Diana Asmar stands down
Health Workers Union (HWU) secretary Diana Asmar will step down from the embattled Victorian branch, which will be put into administration after a deal was struck with the national organisation to avoid a protracted court battle. The national executive of the Health Services Union reached the deal with Asmar on Friday after spending months in court seeking to take control of the HWU, one of its four Victorian branches. The Fair Work Commission has taken civil action against Asmar, alleging that a printing business connected to her received $2.7 million in HWU member funds for no service, with the money instead going into private accounts, and that more than $120,000 in reimbursements was claimed without evidence of relevant business expenses. The Health Services Union itself is not accused of any wrongdoing, and has since September sought to put the HWU into administration over the allegations. Asmar privately denied the accusations and had previously fought against giving up control of the HWU. On Friday, the Health Services Union's national executive announced it had reached an in-principle agreement that would put the Victorian branch into full administration, avoiding months of court hearings that were scheduled to begin in May. Asmar has agreed to support this process and will be automatically removed from her position, ending her time in office, which was not due to expire until November 2026. The agreement does not affect the Fair Work Commission's prosecution against Asmar and other senior HWU leaders. Health Services Union national secretary Lloyd Williams said the union would continue to support the commission as it seeks to prosecute Asmar and recover compensation for any losses from alleged financial misconduct.
The Age
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
Health Workers Union put into administration as secretary Diana Asmar stands down
Health Workers Union (HWU) secretary Diana Asmar will step down from the embattled Victorian branch, which will be put into administration after a deal was struck with the national organisation to avoid a protracted court battle. The national executive of the Health Services Union reached the deal with Asmar on Friday after spending months in court seeking to take control of the HWU, one of its four Victorian branches. The Fair Work Commission has taken civil action against Asmar, alleging that a printing business connected to her received $2.7 million in HWU member funds for no service, with the money instead going into private accounts, and that more than $120,000 in reimbursements was claimed without evidence of relevant business expenses. The Health Services Union itself is not accused of any wrongdoing, and has since September sought to put the HWU into administration over the allegations. Asmar privately denied the accusations and had previously fought against giving up control of the HWU. On Friday, the Health Services Union's national executive announced it had reached an in-principle agreement that would put the Victorian branch into full administration, avoiding months of court hearings that were scheduled to begin in May. Asmar has agreed to support this process and will be automatically removed from her position, ending her time in office, which was not due to expire until November 2026. The agreement does not affect the Fair Work Commission's prosecution against Asmar and other senior HWU leaders. Health Services Union national secretary Lloyd Williams said the union would continue to support the commission as it seeks to prosecute Asmar and recover compensation for any losses from alleged financial misconduct.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Major push to grant Aussie workers extra 12-days paid leave per year: 'This is not sick leave'
Giving Australians 12-days of paid reproductive leave would help cushion the $21 billion per year productivity blow from workers pushing through, or taking leave, to deal with often unseen conditions. The Health Services Union (HSU) has renewed a push for universal reproductive health leave entitlement, which would cost $1.7 billion annually, or $140 per worker. However, a report into the Costs and Benefits of Implementing a Universal Reproductive Health Leave Entitlement in Australia found the policy would improve mental health and workforce retention. The policy would largely benefit women, but would also cater to men undergoing vasectomies. 'Women represent half of our population, and for most, that comes with menstruation which can bring pain, as well as conditions like endometriosis, IVF, miscarriage, and menopause,' HSU national senior assistant secretary Kate Marshall Aussie mum painful endo-battle sparks idea for six-figure business: 'Gave up $50,000 savings' Mark Bouris issues blunt retirement message for young Australians: 'Accept it now' Woolworths cleared to make major move into $1.9 billion sector: 'Strong price competition' 'By rolling out a universal entitlement of 12 days a year, we will give all workers, particularly women, dignity and agency to be a part of a workforce that doesn't currently reflect our needs." The 12 days would represent a day each month of the year. But Marshall said: "This is not sick leave." 'Work can be extremely difficult when you are dealing with pain or reproductive conditions,' she said. Nearly one million Australians live with endometriosis, a debilitating condition that has no cure. Kellie Johnson was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis in her twenties but has been living with menstrual pain since she first started getting her period. The 41-year-old Central Coast resident told Yahoo Finance the pain was so severe that she would often throw up or lose consciousness. Johnson said endometriosis had a huge impact on her career journey, admitting there was a time she 'never spoke' about what she was going through. 'At so many workplaces I've had, I've had to alter the way I work in some way just to try and survive,' she said. 'For example, I've had periods where my endo got really bad so I would be in hospital a lot, so I would take my laptop with me and work from hospital. 'You just worry that people will think that you're being lazy or that you're not taking your job seriously.' Endometriosis Australia found many people were fearful of raising the issue in their workplace, with one in three passed over for a promotion due to their endometriosis, and one in six losing their jobs. The group's research found endometriosis was costing the Australian economy $9.7 billion annually due to medical costs, absenteeism and presenteeism. 'I think when you feel like you're struggling with pain all the time, you almost feel like you have to work harder to try and prove yourself,' Johnson said. The report, released yesterday, highlighted how prevalent the impact of reproductive illness was on the Australian workforce. Menstrual pain affects more than 50 per cent of working women, and 74 per cent of women aged 45 to 55 reported menopause symptoms, with 17 per cent requiring extended leave. Vasectomies and hysterectomies are also common, particularly for men and women aged 35 to 44 years. Miscarriage affects up to one in three women, and 8 per cent of women aged 25–45 undergo IVF annually. Workers surveyed for the report said they often used sick leave or unpaid time off, with 44 per cent taking unpaid leave when they had symptoms. This was not out of choice but a lack of leave options. "By rolling out a universal entitlement of 12 days a year, we will give all workers, particularly women, dignity and agency to be a part of a workforce that doesn't currently reflect our needs," Marshall said. In 2024, the Queensland government introduced 10 days of paid reproductive leave for the state's public servants. A concerning 68 per cent of those surveyed said they had not disclosed their condition to their manager. HSU national secretary Lloyd Williams said reproductive needs were still "highly stigmatised". "Workers fear discrimination for taking leave for anything relating to their reproductive organs," Williams said. "That shouldn't be the culture we accept." 12 days of paid Reproductive Health Leave (RHL) would cost an average of $3.6 billion to implement, but would save $1.88 billion for businesses directly. These implementation costs are small in comparison to the annual $21.3 billion cost to businesses of lost productivity from workers having to manage reproductive health in to access your portfolio
