THE DEPARTMENT of Health and Human Services have requested Ballarat Health Services appoint another industry expert to examine closely the culture that exists within the organisation.
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The appointment of Sarah Rey comes only weeks after BHS appointed another external company to conduct a review of the Mental Health Services' teams and claims of bullying.
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Ms Rey is the managing partner of employment, industrial, OHS, and discrimination law firm Justitia and is a certified practitioner with the Australian Human Resources Institute. She also has expertise in the public and healthcare sectors.
It follows a series of stories published by The Courier over the past month which put claims of a toxic culture under a spotlight.
The terms of reference for Ms Rey’s work are currently being developed by the department, and it is believed the Minister for Health Jill Hennessy and will be receiving the final report produced by Ms Rey.
BHS chief executive Andrew Rowe said a recent all staff survey had led to the appointment.
“Experienced HR and legal professional Sarah Rey has been appointed by BHS to help us analyse the data and will work with managers and staff across the organisation to implement strategies, as well as identifying any current or workplace issues requiring review,” he said.
“Our aim is that these initiatives will maximise the quality of working life for all BHS employees and help us achieve our goal of being an employer of choice.”
The appointment also follows a number of discussions between local MP Sharon Knight and Ms Hennessy that The Courier understands have brought the increased focus from the department onto the health service.
“After reading stories in The Courier, and following contact from current and former employees and their union representatives, I spoke with the Minister for Health about my concerns with the workplace culture at Ballarat Health Services,” Ms Knight said.
“Everyone deserves to work in a positive workplace environment and I am encouraged by steps that are being taken to improve the workplace culture at Ballarat Health Services.
“Everyone deserves to work in a positive workplace environment and I am encouraged by steps that are being taken to improve the workplace culture at Ballarat Health Services.
“Ballarat Health Services provides outstanding services to our community and I know the organisation has a great future.”
The Courier has been inundated with current and former employees, as well as their families, who have described what they say is a bullying culture within the mental health teams, in particular that of the youth teams which have seen a massive turnover in staff.
Past and current employees said they had been pleading for help to deal with the issue for a number of years.
BHS originally denied the claims before appointing alternative dispute resolution company Peacemaker ADR to deal with what they described as “concerning” allegations made following the publishing of the stories in The Courier.
BHS chairman Andrew Faull said the board looked forward to working with Ms Rey as part of the process.
“My board welcomes the appointment of Sarah Rey and we look forward to working with her, in the interest of ensuring our staff remain fully engaged, supported and respected for the high quality health care they provide on a daily basis,” Mr Faull said.
