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Following a review of the role, function and management structure of the Hospital Authority (HA) Head Office, the Chief Executive, Mr Shane Solomon, announced in a staff forum today (September 22) the outcome of the review and the subsequent new structure after a three-week consultation with staff members.
The outcome of the review is a new organisational structure (as attached) and more defined roles and accountability for outcomes. "The changes are aimed at helping the Head Office teams to be focused on the critical tasks, both strategic and operational to better support the clusters and frontline while providing challenging and rewarding work for staff in Head Office," said Mr Solomon.
The Chief Executive appealed to staff in the forum today to assist in developing the specific work plans and strategic targets for each division between now and when the new structure takes effect on November 1. He also recognises that to make such significant changes in such a large and complex organisation like the HA Head Office takes time and some initial disruption.
He added that the new organisational structure has created some new opportunities for staff on various levels of the organisation and some new posts will be advertised internally over the coming weeks in various management ranks. Most of these, if not all, will be filled by managers already working in the Head Office, but in roles that are different to those they currently occupy.
"Once implemented, the total number of staff will not vary from that which is in the current budget so the changes are not about increasing or decreasing the number of staff, but rather about changing roles and focus."
At the senior executive level, two new roles have been created, including a Director of Quality and Safety/Chief Medical Officer and a Head of Corporate Services. Both these posts will be advertised internally as well as externally tomorrow (September 23). Along with the other four senior executive roles reporting directly to the Chief Executive, these two are critical leadership roles and it is intended to fill them with the best people possible no matter where they are currently working.
"At the end of all these changes we remain committed to our primary goal of providing quality patient care to the community of Hong Kong and I am confident that the Head Office will continue to play a critical leadership role, but in a very focused way," Mr Solomon reiterated.
Ends/Friday, September 22, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:37
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