Quote Of The Year

Timeless Quotes - Sadly The Late Paul Shetler - "Its not Your Health Record it's a Government Record Of Your Health Information"

or

H. L. Mencken - "For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong."

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Sometimes You Feel Like Just Giving Up!

The following public tender from NSW Health darkened my e-mail inbox today! As I read I just became more and more gobsmacked.

RFT DOH 07 / 49 Details (Current)

RFT Number: DOH 07 / 49

RFT Title: A Proven Project Implementation Methodology for NSW Health

Category: Comprehensive health services

Closing Date: 23 Oct 2007

Closing Time: 10:00 AM (NSW Local Time)

Location: NSW

Description: The Clinical Services Redesign Program (CSRP) aims to reform the core activity of the public health system. It has been underway for the past 2 years. It introduced structural and cultural reforms of traditional work practices in order to ensure patient care is managed efficiently to:

- meet the needs of the patient;

- reduce delays;

- improve the quality of care; and

- to create an attractive and satisfying work environment.

As a result of the CSRP, a Project Implementation Methodoloy is required to assist with the implementation of redesign initiatives that are being developed across NSW Health. Amoungst the scope of this tender is to undertake capability development, training and support for NSW Health employees in this methodology.

The following deliverables are required:

- Face to face introduction and training to project implementation methodology for approximately 25-30 people

- Face to face 'train the trainer' in project implementation methodology for approximately 20-30 people, and subsequent mentoring of practitioners as required

- Conversion of content into E-learning package with tailored face to face support

- Documentation of tools and project implementation methodology

Estimated Value:

AUD$500,000.00 - $1,000,000.00

Tender Type:

Open Tenders - An invitation to tender by public advertisement with no restriction placed on who may tender. Tenderers will normally be required to demonstrate in their tender that they have the necessary skills, resources, experience, financial capacity, and in some cases licences, accreditations, etc., to fulfil the tender requirements.

Contact:

Charlotte Milner

Phone: 02 - 9391 9270

Fax: 02 93919456

Email: CMILN@doh.health.nsw.gov.au

What to say.?

First, NSW Health does not seem to know even how to use a spelling checker!

“As a result of the CSRP, a Project Implementation Methodoloy is required to assist with the implementation of redesign initiatives that are being developed across NSW Health. Amoungst the scope of this tender is to undertake capability development, training and support for NSW Health employees in this methodology.”

Second, and much more serious – are we to believe that NSW Health does not have a project implementation methodology? How could a Department with a budget of this scale be needing such help?

“19 June 2007

Record $12.5 billion budget to deliver health services

Greater investment in disease prevention, health promotion activities and delivering better access to health services will underpin a record $12.5 billion health budget for 2007/08, NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher announced today.

Ms Meagher said this year's record budget provided an additional $831 million or 7.1 per cent increase on last year.

"This record budget, that now represents 28 per cent of the total State Budget, continues to build on the achievements already made by the Iemma Government to deliver essential health services to the people of NSW," Ms Meagher said.”

Third, and even more serious still, why are they 2 years into a Clinical Services Redesign Program before they notice they need to manage the implementation of projects to get anywhere?

Clearly what we have seen in recent days is but a symptom of a Department of Health which is seriously clueless and in managerial meltdown.

It could just be that Mr Abbott has a point, and that at least the NSW Health Department is terminal or near thereto!

I wonder how methodologically organised the Health IT is in NSW? – not much better I fear given the glacial pace at which they seem to be moving.

David.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

You got my attention when you said you were ‘gobsmacked’. I wondered why.

I read the tender description twice. I don’t think I quite understood what I was reading and I couldn’t quite grasp your concern.

Let’s have another look at it.
…………. Description:
The CSRP’s purpose is to reform the core activity of the public health system.

The CSRP has been underway for 2 years.

The CSRP introduced structural and cultural reforms of traditional work practices.
(Oh - that IS interesting - it introduced structural and cultural reforms.)

The intent of the CSRP reforms is to ensure patient care is managed efficiently. This means:
- meeting the needs of the patient;
- reducing delays;
- improving the quality of care;
- creating an attractive and satisfying work environment.
(This is a lovely description of efficient management of patient care.)

As a result of the CSRP ……………. excuse me … as a result of what?
(Have you ever read such appalling drivel?)

A Project Implementation Methodology is required to assist with the implementation of redesign initiatives that are being developed across NSW Health.

So ……….. 2 years these structural and cultural reforms to traditional work practices are delivering efficiently managed patient care !!!!!
NOW we want a Project Implementation Methodology to assist with ‘something’ that is being developed but which has been used for the last 2 years.

Yes, it is clear why you were ‘gobsmacked’. Do you think the Minister signed off on this ……………..? ONE Million dollars!

Anonymous said...

This CSRP stuff would be most unlikely to get on the Minister’s radar but the Director-General of Health must have approved it. No wonder Tony Abbott is pushing for more local and community accountability. Now that you’ve pointed out the stupidity surrounding it don’t be surprised if the D-G cancels it before the end of the week. This sort of stuff will help keep health on top of the political agenda right through the election. I can see Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd saying to themselves - I can’t trust this system - I want control over my medical record for me and my family. Don’t be surprised if both major parties release ‘amended’ health policies during the campaign containing some new e-health initiatives - to tap into what is fast becoming a deep well of community concern over the whole of health

surturz said...

I noticed this one, too. What a shocking waste of funds. $1mil to train 30 people?! What a joke!