Consultation and capital works: a recipe for implementing change.
When the Royal Children's Hospital launched into a $50 million building/refurbishment program in 1987/88, there was a clear recognition of the need to establish appropriate consultation mechanisms with unions and employees. Little documentation existed on major capital works consultation models. As Monash Medical Centre and Western Hospital were involved in major projects, discussions took place between the three hospitals and the Health Department Victoria, which resulted in a model (based largely on Monash's existing arrangements), capable of being applied across the hospital field. This model was subsequently ratified by the Victorian Trades Hall Council on behalf of the unions, and implemented (with minor differences in each case) at the three hospitals. The purpose of this paper is to document this consultation model. Highlighted is the importance of tight project management, regular communication, and substantial involvement by staff affected in the area(s) under development in 'user groups'. As the model has been agreed by the Trades Hall Council for use in Victorian public hospitals, it is hoped that this paper may provide a useful basis for other hospitals contemplating major capital works.
Arnold
C
C
Spastic Society of Victoria.
D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D006740:Hospital Administrators; D006749:Hospital Design and Construction / Q000379:methods*; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007750:Labor Unions; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D011367:Professional Staff Committees; D011635:Public Health Administration; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014739:Victoria