THE State Government yesterday denied it would combine the recently proposed Tasmanian health organisations (THOs) into one body, after advertising the position of a common chairperson for each network.
Health Minister Michelle O’Byrne has begun the recruitment process for the establishment of the three THOs, which will replace the current Area Health Services and deliver health services from July 2012.
“The three THOs will oversee the improvement of health outcomes for Tasmanians and deliver an unprecedented level of local ownership, local control and local decision making in the North, the North-West and the South,” Ms O’Byrne said.
However, Opposition health spokesman Jeremy Rockliff yesterday accused Ms O’Byrne of stealthily trying to create a favoured model of one THO, claiming one chairperson for three networks would deprive each region of proper representation.
“The minister’s actions suggest she is sneakily trying to centralise control of the health networks in Hobart, beginning with a common chairperson for all three networks,” he said.
“In doing so, she risks compromising the integrity and local management of the networks before they even get under way.”
Ms O’Byrne yesterday said one presiding chairperson would not compromise the local decision-making capabilities of the THOs.
Show Comments
Comments (1)