Click on the image to enlarge
Monday, April 18, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Broken promises
From The Examiner Today ~~~ LINK
HUMAN Services Minister Cassy O'Connor has the nerve to suggest that Eskleigh management should "stop the megaphone diplomacy" (The Examiner, Apr. 7) regarding the shortfall in funding that the management of Eskleigh was led to believe was to occur.
Ms O'Connor, the best way to stop people speaking up about broken promises is not to break them in the first place and cough up the money so they can "return their attention to the job they do so well".
However, this is another example of a long list of broken promises by this ill- conceived and ill-managed government.
- NEIL JOHNSON, Devon Hills.
Ms O'Connor, the best way to stop people speaking up about broken promises is not to break them in the first place and cough up the money so they can "return their attention to the job they do so well".
However, this is another example of a long list of broken promises by this ill- conceived and ill-managed government.
- NEIL JOHNSON, Devon Hills.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
The history of Tasmania wasting money started a long time ago
NOW: Tasmania’s 10 worst decisions
10.01.07 12:57 am
Tasmanian Times
Billion-dollar Bacon-Lennon.
Some observers say it’s that bad … that the stewardship of the vaunted Labor administration which dawned over Tasmania in 1998 has managed to waste $1 billion of the taxpayers’ money through its failed visions … from Spirit 3 to Basslink — or through special deals for special mates … from the Federal pokies deal, Hawthorn sponsorship, to taxpayer-subsidising Gunns Ltd.
And that the coffers are now empty, with money shuffling from department to department to cover contingencies.
So, what is the truth? Today Tasmanian Times asks its contributors and readers to forensically quantify the cost to Tasmania of the Bacon-Lennon vision — or to strongly disagree — through the comments string beneath these words. Remember there is a 5000 character limit on comments.
And, in the spirit of fairness — rather than balance — the 10 worst decisions will be followed by the 10 Best … starting with compensation for the Stolen Generation? But from today, give us your worst!
The background: THEN: Tasmania’s 10 worst decisions ...
To read through the Comments (108) published on the Tasmanian Times go to the following link
http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php?/article/now-tasmanias-10-worst-decisions/
$10M TMAG Bill leaves Eskleigh wanting
$10m TMAG bill attacked
THE Tasmanian Government is under fire for spending $10 million on designing the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery redevelopment when there is no guarantee the work will go ahead.
The $200 million proposal still requires funding of $170 million to proceed.
The grand plans for the works revealed exclusively in theMercury yesterday were officially unveiled yesterday, complete with a hi-tech virtual walk-through of the proposed buildings.
The redevelopment would double the amount of exhibition space and quadruple the amount of undercover public space. It was designed to bring Australia's most significant collection of historic buildings together under one roof. But the project can not be completed until federal and philanthropic funding is secured to make up a $170 million funding shortfall.
About $5 million has already been spent on the design phase and that figure will double before work starts. The State Government has committed a total of $30 million to the project and the remaining two-thirds will fund stage one of the works, due for completion by 2012.
Arts Minister David O'Byrne said he was confident the Federal Government would see the project as a worthwhile investment, although "we are mindful that it might take a number of budget cycles". "This is a long-term vision for Tasmania that will have an impact for generations," Mr O'Byrne said. "We will be talking to the Government at each opportunity and making sure that they know they can invest in a site that is significant to all Tasmanians." He said $10 million was an appropriate amount of money to spend on planning a project of this size.
But Opposition Leader Will Hodgman said there was little to show for the significant amount of money spent. "All Labor has managed is a $10 million plan without the financial commitment to realise it," he said. Mr Hodgman said the project had blown out more than six times the original $30 million commitment in 2006.
Sydney-based architectural firm Francis Jones Morehen Thorpe and consultants have been the major beneficiaries of the money spent so far.
TMAG director Bill Bleathman said the large number of historically significant sites incorporated in the redevelopment made the planning process extremely complicated. "It is better to get it right in the planning stages," Mr Bleathman said. He said the new gallery would attract major exhibitions. The museum was already working on future collaborations with MONA and other art galleries that would be an asset to the state.
Latest Comments:
I despair with what is happening at state level with funding decisions. At a time when our health system is crying out for funds, Premier Lara Giddings is quite happy to throw bucket loads of taxpayer money at football, motorsport and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery ($30M).This week Premier Giddings, refused to even meet to talk with the Chairman of Eskleigh Foundation about her refusal to give Eskleigh the vital $123,000 it needs to keep its nursing home for disabled people, full. Three beds are empty, and there is a long queue of patients occupying acute hospital beds, desperately waiting to transfer to Eskleigh. The savings to the hospitals budget is a staggering $1,621,000.Eskleigh has been working across this state for over 60 years, caring and accommodating adults with disabilities. Eskleigh is a charitable not-for-profit organisation that the Premier is accusing of pocketting profits at the expense of the taxpayer. PROFITS? Who pays for buildings Premier? Not your government! What's the problem Premier. This decision is a no-brainer. Whilst Minister O'Connor is defending stupid arguments about her unpaid personal parking fines, the State is going to ruin. I join the many voices for the State to FUND ESKLEIGH FIRST.
Posted by: Lorenzo Ion of Hobart 10:17am Sunday
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Eskleigh fills extra bed
The EXAMINER – BY LUCY POSKITT HEALTH REPORTER
07 Apr, 2011 12:00 AM
ESKLEIGH disability home at Perth filled one of three vacant beds yesterday afternoon, after a review of its financial situation at a board meeting on Tuesday night.
Foundation chairwoman Diane Porteous said the home had accepted $261,000 in additional funding from the state government, which had enabled it to open one more bed, and hoped to meet Human Services Minister Cassy O'Connor to discuss future funding arrangements.
"Eskleigh has agreed to accept the offer to provide additional funding for the current financial year and to open one bed immediately," she said .... click here to read the whole story
Foundation chairwoman Diane Porteous said the home had accepted $261,000 in additional funding from the state government, which had enabled it to open one more bed, and hoped to meet Human Services Minister Cassy O'Connor to discuss future funding arrangements.
"Eskleigh has agreed to accept the offer to provide additional funding for the current financial year and to open one bed immediately," she said .... click here to read the whole story
THE BATTLE GOES ON!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
STOP PRESS : Eskleigh Media Release
Media Release
Diane Porteous, Chair Eskleigh Foundation Inc
Wednesday 6th April 2011
A special meeting of the Eskleigh Board was held Tuesday evening, and a careful review of Eskleigh’s financial position has been undertaken in response to the Minister for Human Services announcement of additional funding for Eskleigh Home for the financial year ending June 2011.
Eskleigh believe it is vital that future funding be of primary concern and seeks an assurance from the Minister for Human Services The Honourable Cassy O’Connor that the Department will work closely with Eskleigh to ensure that adequate base funding to support the residents of Eskleigh Home with substantial and multiple disabilities is provided on a recurrent basis.
Eskleigh has agreed to accept the offer to provide additional funding of $261,014 for the current financial year and to open one bed immediately. Eskleigh proposes that the opening of further beds be discussed in conjunction with funding negotiations for 2011-2012 and onwards.
Minister O’Connor was invited to join Ms Porteous in making this positive announcement to the Tasmanian Community however was not available.
For information or comment contact Diane Porteous 0419 364682 or Dale Luttrell 0438 918584
Minister O'Connor replies to invitation
From: Ford, Kelly (DPaC) [mailto:Kelly.Ford@dpac.tas.gov.au]
Sent: Wednesday, 6 April 2011 10:43 AM
To: Dale Luttrell
Subject: RE: Urgent Communication to Minister O'Connor
Dear Dale,
Thank you for forwarding correspondence this morning from your Chair, Ms Diane Porteous.
The Minister has asked that I respond.
The Minister is not available to join Ms Porteous in making this positive announcement at 1pm today, but thanks you for communicating the intentions of the Board.
As in the Minister’s previous correspondence to you, please continue to work with the Disability and Community Services Northern Area Office Manager, Ms Fiona Woodfield in regard to your service strategy.
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly Ford
Adviser
Office of Cassy O'Connor MP
Minister for Human Services / Minister for Community Development
GPO Box 919 / Hobart TAS 7000
Phone: (03) 6233 6756
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
ESKLEIGH OUTRAGE
click on the image to enlargeMinister Cassy O'Connor can be likened to a kettle calling the pot BLACK with her outrageous assertions about "megaphone politics." Really, not to put too fine a point on it, and excuse the mixed metaphors here, if its good enough for the goose its good enough for the gander!
The story in today's Examiner points to not only the Minister's recalcitrance but also her propensity to spout bureau babble. One week she can see her way to providing the required funding and the next ... oh my goodness we cannot do that now. AND that is despite all the sense there is in doing so. That is financial sense let alone anything to do with the care of the disabled.
If we were talking about an endangered spotted tree frog you can bet Minister O'Connor would have her megaphone out and that she'd be shouting SHAME SHAME SHAME into it. If you cannot see any sense in any of this it is quite likely to be because there is none to be found.
NOW if you really want confirmation of how senseless and depressing this whole episode is read today's contribution to the saga n today's Examiner.
Eskleigh battles decision
BY LUCY POSKITT HEALTH REPORTER
05 Apr, 2011 08:27 AM
WESTERN Tiers MLC Greg Hall will table a notice of motion in the Legislative Council today in support of Eskleigh disability home at Perth. ... click here to go to the story
The story in today's Examiner points to not only the Minister's recalcitrance but also her propensity to spout bureau babble. One week she can see her way to providing the required funding and the next ... oh my goodness we cannot do that now. AND that is despite all the sense there is in doing so. That is financial sense let alone anything to do with the care of the disabled.
If we were talking about an endangered spotted tree frog you can bet Minister O'Connor would have her megaphone out and that she'd be shouting SHAME SHAME SHAME into it. If you cannot see any sense in any of this it is quite likely to be because there is none to be found.
NOW if you really want confirmation of how senseless and depressing this whole episode is read today's contribution to the saga n today's Examiner.
Eskleigh battles decision
BY LUCY POSKITT HEALTH REPORTER
05 Apr, 2011 08:27 AM
WESTERN Tiers MLC Greg Hall will table a notice of motion in the Legislative Council today in support of Eskleigh disability home at Perth. ... click here to go to the story
Monday, April 4, 2011
Cassy ashamed of fines
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:29:06 EST
GREENS minister Cassy O'Connor has today expressed her shame at being "too busy" to pay dozens of parking fines.
GREENS Minister Cassy O'Connor admitted yesterday she was "not proud" of failing to pay council parking fines over several years.
The Human Services and Community Development Minister said: "It doesn't send a good message and I'm not proud of this at all, but I am human. I've made a mistake and I've dealt with that mistake." Opposition Leader Will Hodgman accused her of lacking the ability to handle the pressures of a ministerial portfolio after Ms O'Connor said she was "too busy" to pay the debts.She said they were accumulated before.
Yes, Minister O'Connor you ought to be ashamed of your embarrassment. A serial fines avoider from a poorly performing Minister who is also not fulfilling her obligations to the community by denying vital funding to people with disabilities. Eskleigh Foundation provides a Tasmania - wide service for accommodating and supporting people with disabilities, and has carried out this community service for more than 60 years. Why then Minister, are you cruelly denying Eskleigh that $123,000 it desperately needs to plug the deficit in its budget to enable it to maintain a full house at its Perth Home, and fill the three empty beds with willing residents presently imprisoned at the Launceston General Hospital at a cost of 1,621,000 for the next 12 months? Focus on FUNDING ESKLEIGH FIRST, Minister. One has to question your focus when something as simple as paying a parking ticket left under your wiper blade on your car cannot be noticed ?......... Posted by: Leonie Irons 5:53am Saturday
Upper House Action will call on Government to fully fund Eskleigh
MEDIA RELEASE
Monday 4th April 2011
Monday 4th April 2011
HALL TO TABLE MOTION IN SUPPORT OF ESKLEIGH
Independent Member for Western Tiers Greg Hall MLC said today he would seek the support of the Legislative Council, as part of the community effort to ensure Eskleigh is properly funded.
“When the Legislative Council returns this week I will table a motion in support of Eskleigh and calling on the Human Services Minister Ms O’Connor to provide the additional $123,000 funding required,” Mr Hall said.
“The Human Services Minister’s backflip on promised funding to Eskleigh was extremely disappointing and has caused significant community unrest.
“I am hopeful that if the Legislative Council were to support this motion that it would encourage Minister O’Connor to re-evaluate this decision and provide what is a relatively small amount of funding in the scheme of things.
Mr Hall said he had previously written to Minister O’Connor calling on her to provide the necessary funding to Eskleigh to ensure continuity of services.
He said the motion to be tabled would read as follows:
Mr Hall to move – That the Legislative Council –
(1) Notes that Eskleigh Home provides a vital service to 42 people with a disability at their home at Perth and Eskleigh is a crucially important facility for the local community.
(2) Notes that any saving the State Government is making by not properly funding Eskleigh will be a false economy as increased costs are forced on the LGH from patients who cannot be transferred to Eskleigh.
(3) Calls on the Human Services Minister Ms O’Connor to provide the additional $123,000 required to ensure the continued successful operation of Eskleigh.
Greg is available for comment on 0418 132 997
“When the Legislative Council returns this week I will table a motion in support of Eskleigh and calling on the Human Services Minister Ms O’Connor to provide the additional $123,000 funding required,” Mr Hall said.
“The Human Services Minister’s backflip on promised funding to Eskleigh was extremely disappointing and has caused significant community unrest.
“I am hopeful that if the Legislative Council were to support this motion that it would encourage Minister O’Connor to re-evaluate this decision and provide what is a relatively small amount of funding in the scheme of things.
Mr Hall said he had previously written to Minister O’Connor calling on her to provide the necessary funding to Eskleigh to ensure continuity of services.
He said the motion to be tabled would read as follows:
Mr Hall to move – That the Legislative Council –
(1) Notes that Eskleigh Home provides a vital service to 42 people with a disability at their home at Perth and Eskleigh is a crucially important facility for the local community.
(2) Notes that any saving the State Government is making by not properly funding Eskleigh will be a false economy as increased costs are forced on the LGH from patients who cannot be transferred to Eskleigh.
(3) Calls on the Human Services Minister Ms O’Connor to provide the additional $123,000 required to ensure the continued successful operation of Eskleigh.
Greg is available for comment on 0418 132 997
Tasmania Liberals Media Release
Subject : IDIOTIC "SILO" MENTALITY IN DHHS COSTS MONEY AND REDUCES SERVICES
Author : Jacquie Petrusma MP
The idiotic silo mentality in the Department of Health and Human Services is costing the state millions, and reducing services to Tasmania's most vulnerable. A prime example is the situation at Eskleigh. It's costing the State Government $547,500 per annum to keep just one person with disability in hospital, when it would cost the Government just $76,280 per resident per annum at Eskleigh.
If the relevant Ministers Cassy O'Connor and Michelle O'Byrne were to work together, they'd both end up winners. Ms O'Byrne could free up beds at the Launceston General Hospital, which is like a pressure-cooker, and Ms O'Connor could get another three people off the 59-long waiting list for people with disabilities waiting for group home accommodation.
Instead, Ms O'Connor is saying it's not her problem that people are stuck in hospital; she's only responsible for the disability budget. And Minister O'Byrne is saying it's not her fault if there's nowhere to move people out of hospital. The fact is they're both to blame for continuing to allow this idiotic silo mentality in the Department to continue.
At a time when the Government is crying poor, it has the chance to save $1.4 million per annum by transferring just three suitable patients from hospital to fill three vacancies at Eskleigh.
Instead of insular thinking about their individual budgets, the Ministers must work together for a solution while also carefully considering their moral responsibility to properly care for the state's most vulnerable people.
Author : Jacquie Petrusma MP
The idiotic silo mentality in the Department of Health and Human Services is costing the state millions, and reducing services to Tasmania's most vulnerable. A prime example is the situation at Eskleigh. It's costing the State Government $547,500 per annum to keep just one person with disability in hospital, when it would cost the Government just $76,280 per resident per annum at Eskleigh.
If the relevant Ministers Cassy O'Connor and Michelle O'Byrne were to work together, they'd both end up winners. Ms O'Byrne could free up beds at the Launceston General Hospital, which is like a pressure-cooker, and Ms O'Connor could get another three people off the 59-long waiting list for people with disabilities waiting for group home accommodation.
Instead, Ms O'Connor is saying it's not her problem that people are stuck in hospital; she's only responsible for the disability budget. And Minister O'Byrne is saying it's not her fault if there's nowhere to move people out of hospital. The fact is they're both to blame for continuing to allow this idiotic silo mentality in the Department to continue.
At a time when the Government is crying poor, it has the chance to save $1.4 million per annum by transferring just three suitable patients from hospital to fill three vacancies at Eskleigh.
Instead of insular thinking about their individual budgets, the Ministers must work together for a solution while also carefully considering their moral responsibility to properly care for the state's most vulnerable people.
Authorised by Jonathan Hawkes, Level 2/24 Murray Street, Hobart TAS 7000
Tasmania Liberals Media Release
Date : Fri, 1 Apr 2011
Subject : ESKLEIGH FUNDING BACKFLIP - ANSWERS NEEDEDAuthor : Guy Barnett
Tasmanian Liberal Senator Guy Barnett has accused the State Government of a backflip on funding for the Eskleigh Home at Perth, which is partly funded by the Federal Government.
"Eskleigh was last week told by the Head of the Department that the funding crisis had been solved, only for Minister O'Connor to later pull the rug from underfoot," Senator Barnett said.
"The Federal Government provides 28.9% of disability funding under the Commonwealth-State Disability Funding Agreement.
"I contacted Minister Bill Shorten and Parliamentary Secretary Jan McLucas on these matters when the crisis began. I asked the Federal Government to investigate State Labor's mismanagement and maladministration of the Service Agreement with Eskleigh.
"Senator McLucas said she would follow-up and her office later contacted Eskleigh to say the matter had been resolved to the satisfaction of Minister O'Connor. At that point in time, Eskleigh believed their funding requirements would be met. " But now funding has been cut by Minister O'Conner.
Perhaps she forgot what was agreed the week before? "This Government speaks with a forked tongue. The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.
"The mismanagement and maladministration by State Labor is hurting those with disabilities and the disability care sector. " Labor and the Greens are all over the place on this issue.
"The State and Federal Labor-Green Governments must provide answers and they can't keep blaming the global financial crisis for their own incompetence," Senator Barnett said.
"Eskleigh was last week told by the Head of the Department that the funding crisis had been solved, only for Minister O'Connor to later pull the rug from underfoot," Senator Barnett said.
"The Federal Government provides 28.9% of disability funding under the Commonwealth-State Disability Funding Agreement.
"I contacted Minister Bill Shorten and Parliamentary Secretary Jan McLucas on these matters when the crisis began. I asked the Federal Government to investigate State Labor's mismanagement and maladministration of the Service Agreement with Eskleigh.
"Senator McLucas said she would follow-up and her office later contacted Eskleigh to say the matter had been resolved to the satisfaction of Minister O'Connor. At that point in time, Eskleigh believed their funding requirements would be met. " But now funding has been cut by Minister O'Conner.
Perhaps she forgot what was agreed the week before? "This Government speaks with a forked tongue. The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.
"The mismanagement and maladministration by State Labor is hurting those with disabilities and the disability care sector. " Labor and the Greens are all over the place on this issue.
"The State and Federal Labor-Green Governments must provide answers and they can't keep blaming the global financial crisis for their own incompetence," Senator Barnett said.
Authorised by Jonathan Hawkes, Level 2/24 Murray Street, Hobart TAS 7000
Sunday, April 3, 2011
The Mercury - Eskleigh Comment
“I despair with what is happening at state level with funding decisions.At a time when our health system is crying out for funds, Premier Lara Giddings is quite happy to throw bucket loads of taxpayer money at football, motorsport and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery ($30M).This week Premier Giddings, refused to even meet to talk with the Chairman of Eskleigh Foundation about her refusal to give Eskleigh the vital $123,000 it needs to keep its nursing home for disabled people, full. Three beds are empty, and their is a long queue of patients occupying acute hospital beds, desperately waiting to transfer to Eskleigh. The savings to the hospitals budget is a staggering $1,621,000.Eskleigh has been working across this state for over 60 years, caring and accommodating adults with disabilities. Eskleigh is a charitable not-for-profit organisation that the Premier is accusing of pocketting profits at the expense of the taxpayer.PROFITS?Who pays for buildings Premier? Not your government!What's the problem Premier.This decision is a no-brainer.Whilst Minister O'Connor is defending stupid arguments about her unpaid personal parking fines, the State is going to ruin.I join the many voices for the State to FUND ESKLEIGH FIRST.” ... Posted by: Lorenzo Ion of Hobart 10:17am today
Go to: http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/10/02/176521_tasmania-news.html
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Anguish of delay for stroke victim – EXAMINER STORY
Karen van der Pols was just two weeks into her new job as RSPCA Tasmania's chief executive when she had a stroke on June 23 last year.
Since then, she has lived in hospital.
Yesterday Ms van der Pols, 50, cried as she described the anguish of waiting for a place at Eskleigh, which provides around-the-clock care for people living with a disability.
The home is the only place where Ms van der Pols can live, other than the Launceston General Hospital, where she has been since Christmas ... CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
SITUATION UPDATE
From: The Premier (DPaC) [mailto:Premier.The@dpac.tas.gov.au]Sent: Friday, 1 April 2011 10:56 AM
To: Diane Porteous
Subject: RE: Eskleigh Funding
Dear Ms Porteous
The Premier (Lara Giddings MP) has asked me to acknowledge and thank you for your email of 1 April 2011 concerning funding for the Eskleigh Home.
Yours sincerely
Maddy Plaister
Executive Officer
Office of Lara Giddings MP
Premier
Treasurer
Minister for the Arts
Thursday, March 24, 2011
ESKLEIGH: EXAMINERS FORUM TODAY
In the Examiner's forum today Ian Goninon expresses his dismay and "sadness" in regard to the government's disinclination to fund Eskleigh. The entry goes ... Eskleigh Home: IT IS with sadness that I read about (The Examiner, Mar. 22) and hear in the media the lack of government funding for Eskleigh Home ... This facility offers people with disabilities the chance to live a fulfilling life interacting with the community on a daily basis and meeting the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities... click here to read the full entry
Eskleigh Home Funding Reinstated
From: Dale Luttrell [mailto:dluttrell@eskleigh.com.au]Sent: Wednesday, 23 March 2011 9:00 AM
Subject: Eskleigh Home Funding
Good Morning All
I am pleased to report that I was advised at a meeting on the 22nd March that the Department has reinstated the full extra funding of $384,000 for 2011, with at least that amount recurrent. I have been asked to prepare the 2012 Eskleigh Home Budget and submit that to the Department. An exercise to assess the support requirements of each resident at Eskleigh Home has commenced. This data will be used to develop the budget.
I will be making contact with staff, families and our supporters advising them of the reinstatement of the funding
This is an excellent result
The Department stressed to me that the reinstatement of the full funding was not influenced by our approach to the Minister or the press reports
Regards
Dale Luttrell
The Department stressed to me that the reinstatement of the full funding was not influenced by our approach to the Minister or the press reports
Regards
Dale Luttrell
Chief Executive Officer
Eskleigh Foundation Inc
PO Box 42, Perth Tasmania 7300
Phone 03 6398 7100
Fax 03 6398 2928
E-mail dluttrell@eskleigh.com.au
Eskleigh Foundation Inc
PO Box 42, Perth Tasmania 7300
Phone 03 6398 7100
Fax 03 6398 2928
E-mail dluttrell@eskleigh.com.au
ESKLEIGH: Examiner Page.1 March 18 2011
Click on the image to enlarge
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS: Eskleigh facing bed cuts – LUCY POSKITT HEALTH REPORTER – 18 Mar, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Liberal Media Release 17 March response to Minister plus comment by Eskleigh
Subject: Funding reversal
Good Afternoon All
Following on from Eskleigh's email yesterday, Jacquie Petrusma MP, Shadow Minister for Human Services asked the following question of The Honourable Cassy O’Connor, Minister for Human Services in Parliament today“Minister, just over a month ago, on 8 February 2011, your Department indicated in writing it would provide extra recurrent funding to the Eskleigh Home at Perth in northern Tasmania to meet a projected deficit in 2010-11.
Is it a fact that you have now reneged on that written commitment which places this home - the only nursing facility for younger persons in Tasmania - in significant financial difficulty?
Are you aware that as a result of this backflip, Eskleigh will have to reduce services?
Are you aware that this will mean that long-term patients in hospital beds at the LGH awaiting transfer to Eskleigh will have to remain in hospital at a significantly higher cost to Tasmanian taxpayers?”
According to Sandy Wittison, Senior Advisor the Leader of the Opposition, the Minister seemed unaware of the matter, however I emailed her office on Tuesday and provided it with detailed information regarding the Departments funding reversal.
The Liberals press release is as follows:
“O’Connor puts disability home at risk
The Human Services Minister Cassy O’Connor clearly demonstrated in Parliament today that she does not have a proper handle on her Department and has broken a clear promise to a key disability provider.
On 8 February 2011, the Department promised in writing it would provide extra recurrent funding to the 42-bed Eskleigh disability home in Perth in northern Tasmania to meet a projected deficit for the 2010-11 financial year. It is the only nursing facility in Tasmania for younger people.
Without this money, Eskleigh will have to slash services and patients who should be at the home will have to stay in hospital, causing further bed block at the Launceston General Hospital.
The written commitment from Ms O’Connor’s Department stated:
“As discussed, Disability and Community Services is recommending the funding of the $384,000 projected deficit for the Eskleigh home for 2010/11.”
However, precisely a month later, Eskleigh was told that no funds were available to satisfy the $384,000 claim, and the Department could only provide additional funding of $261,000.
This will leave the Eskleigh home with a deficit of $109,000 for the financial year, and the Board cannot to continue absorbing deficits in this way.
Leaving the patients who should be at Eskleigh in hospital instead will come at a significant cost to the Tasmanian community. It costs $1500 a day for each of those patients to stay in a hospital bed, at a total cost of $550,000 per year.
In comparison, a bed at Eskleigh for the same patient is estimated at $100,000 per year.
In Parliament today, Ms O’Connor had no idea about her Department reneging on its written commitment, and offered no views on the additional cost to Tasmanian taxpayers of leaving patients at the LGH.
It seems Ms O’Connor is not just a Member for Denison, but only a Minister for Denison too. “
In the mean time I have advised the Gateway that Eskleigh will not be filling the current vacancies at Eskleigh Home and I have also advised HACSU that due to funding reversal negotiations in relation to the Enterprise Agreement have been suspended
Regards
Dale Luttrell
Chief Executive Officer
Eskleigh Foundation Inc
Good Afternoon All
Following on from Eskleigh's email yesterday, Jacquie Petrusma MP, Shadow Minister for Human Services asked the following question of The Honourable Cassy O’Connor, Minister for Human Services in Parliament today“Minister, just over a month ago, on 8 February 2011, your Department indicated in writing it would provide extra recurrent funding to the Eskleigh Home at Perth in northern Tasmania to meet a projected deficit in 2010-11.
Is it a fact that you have now reneged on that written commitment which places this home - the only nursing facility for younger persons in Tasmania - in significant financial difficulty?
Are you aware that as a result of this backflip, Eskleigh will have to reduce services?
Are you aware that this will mean that long-term patients in hospital beds at the LGH awaiting transfer to Eskleigh will have to remain in hospital at a significantly higher cost to Tasmanian taxpayers?”
According to Sandy Wittison, Senior Advisor the Leader of the Opposition, the Minister seemed unaware of the matter, however I emailed her office on Tuesday and provided it with detailed information regarding the Departments funding reversal.
The Liberals press release is as follows:
“O’Connor puts disability home at risk
The Human Services Minister Cassy O’Connor clearly demonstrated in Parliament today that she does not have a proper handle on her Department and has broken a clear promise to a key disability provider.
On 8 February 2011, the Department promised in writing it would provide extra recurrent funding to the 42-bed Eskleigh disability home in Perth in northern Tasmania to meet a projected deficit for the 2010-11 financial year. It is the only nursing facility in Tasmania for younger people.
Without this money, Eskleigh will have to slash services and patients who should be at the home will have to stay in hospital, causing further bed block at the Launceston General Hospital.
The written commitment from Ms O’Connor’s Department stated:
“As discussed, Disability and Community Services is recommending the funding of the $384,000 projected deficit for the Eskleigh home for 2010/11.”
However, precisely a month later, Eskleigh was told that no funds were available to satisfy the $384,000 claim, and the Department could only provide additional funding of $261,000.
This will leave the Eskleigh home with a deficit of $109,000 for the financial year, and the Board cannot to continue absorbing deficits in this way.
Leaving the patients who should be at Eskleigh in hospital instead will come at a significant cost to the Tasmanian community. It costs $1500 a day for each of those patients to stay in a hospital bed, at a total cost of $550,000 per year.
In comparison, a bed at Eskleigh for the same patient is estimated at $100,000 per year.
In Parliament today, Ms O’Connor had no idea about her Department reneging on its written commitment, and offered no views on the additional cost to Tasmanian taxpayers of leaving patients at the LGH.
It seems Ms O’Connor is not just a Member for Denison, but only a Minister for Denison too. “
In the mean time I have advised the Gateway that Eskleigh will not be filling the current vacancies at Eskleigh Home and I have also advised HACSU that due to funding reversal negotiations in relation to the Enterprise Agreement have been suspended
Regards
Dale Luttrell
Chief Executive Officer
Eskleigh Foundation Inc
Cassy O'Connor Media Release 17 March 2011 Eskleigh
Cassy O'Connor, MP
Minister for Human Services
Thursday, 17 March 2011
________________________________________
Eskleigh Funding
________________________________________
The Minister for Human Services, Cassy O’Connor said today she was well aware of funding shortfalls at the Eskleigh Home in northern Tasmania.
Ms O’Connor said the Eskleigh Foundation receives $4,593, 498 in recurrent funding every year and the Eskleigh residential home at Perth currently receives base funding of $2 819 800 per annum which is indexed annually.
“The Department has been working tirelessly with Eskleigh to address its funding issues.
“In November 2010 the Department was made aware of a deficit for the 2010-11 financial year and I met with CEO, Dale Luttrell and Chair of Eskleigh Foundation Board, Diane Porteous to discuss the matter in December.
“Eskleigh provides an excellent service to 42 people with disability at their home at Perth and I commend them for the work they do.
“However, the budget for disability services is continually stretched and demand is always increasing.
“Eskleigh’s requests for additional funding have never been rejected.
“In 2009-10 Eskleigh received a one-off grant of $185,000 to assist with a funding shortfall and last November they advised of another projected deficit.
“Additional re-current funding of $191,000 was included in the 2010-13 agreement with Eskleigh.
“After exhaustive work, my Department has made an offer to Eskleigh of $261,014 after balancing the shortfall of funding to the Eskleigh Home with an expected surplus in other DHHS funded Eskleigh services.
“The Department has been working with Eskleigh and a financial assessment has been completed and we are working on providing more funding to ensure services are maintained."
Minister for Human Services
Thursday, 17 March 2011
________________________________________
Eskleigh Funding
________________________________________
The Minister for Human Services, Cassy O’Connor said today she was well aware of funding shortfalls at the Eskleigh Home in northern Tasmania.
Ms O’Connor said the Eskleigh Foundation receives $4,593, 498 in recurrent funding every year and the Eskleigh residential home at Perth currently receives base funding of $2 819 800 per annum which is indexed annually.
“The Department has been working tirelessly with Eskleigh to address its funding issues.
“In November 2010 the Department was made aware of a deficit for the 2010-11 financial year and I met with CEO, Dale Luttrell and Chair of Eskleigh Foundation Board, Diane Porteous to discuss the matter in December.
“Eskleigh provides an excellent service to 42 people with disability at their home at Perth and I commend them for the work they do.
“However, the budget for disability services is continually stretched and demand is always increasing.
“Eskleigh’s requests for additional funding have never been rejected.
“In 2009-10 Eskleigh received a one-off grant of $185,000 to assist with a funding shortfall and last November they advised of another projected deficit.
“Additional re-current funding of $191,000 was included in the 2010-13 agreement with Eskleigh.
“After exhaustive work, my Department has made an offer to Eskleigh of $261,014 after balancing the shortfall of funding to the Eskleigh Home with an expected surplus in other DHHS funded Eskleigh services.
“The Department has been working with Eskleigh and a financial assessment has been completed and we are working on providing more funding to ensure services are maintained."
Tasmanian Hansard transcript - Eskleigh
HANSARD FROM THURSDAY 17 MARCH
DISABILITY SERVICES - ESKLEIGH HOME FUNDING
[11.21 a.m.]
Ms PETRUSMA (Question) - My question is to the Minister for Human Services. Minister, just over a month ago on 8 February 2011 your department indicated in writing that it would provide extra recurrent funding to the Eskleigh home at Perth in northern Tasmania to meet a projected deficit in 2010-11. Is it a fact that because of your government's mismanagement of the State's finances you have now reneged in that written commitment which places this home, the only nursing facility for younger persons in Tasmania, in significant financial difficulty? Are you aware that as a result of this backflip, Eskleigh will have to reduce services? Are you also aware that this will mean that long-term patients in hospital beds at the Launceston General Hospital who are awaiting transfer to Eskleigh will now have to remain in hospital at a significantly higher cost to Tasmanian taxpayers?
Ms O'CONNOR - I thank the shadow minister for her question and her ongoing interest in this area. I am aware, and I have been up to Eskleigh and I have met Dale Luttrell and I have walked through that excellent facility, but there are funding issues with Eskleigh and there is an ongoing conversation between my department and Eskleigh Home over their funding shortfall. There is a history of funding issues with Eskleigh Home and they provide quite a specific and excellent service to people living with disabilities. But my very clear understanding is that the department is currently working with Eskleigh to address some of those funding issues. I would say this: the Disabilities Services budget is continually stretched. We provide $156 million a year to service providers and many of them are under some strain because the demand is increasing for services. My very clear understanding is that the department is continuing to work with Eskleigh on their funding issues. Again, I thank you for your interest in this area.
DISABILITY SERVICES - ESKLEIGH HOME FUNDING
[11.21 a.m.]
Ms PETRUSMA (Question) - My question is to the Minister for Human Services. Minister, just over a month ago on 8 February 2011 your department indicated in writing that it would provide extra recurrent funding to the Eskleigh home at Perth in northern Tasmania to meet a projected deficit in 2010-11. Is it a fact that because of your government's mismanagement of the State's finances you have now reneged in that written commitment which places this home, the only nursing facility for younger persons in Tasmania, in significant financial difficulty? Are you aware that as a result of this backflip, Eskleigh will have to reduce services? Are you also aware that this will mean that long-term patients in hospital beds at the Launceston General Hospital who are awaiting transfer to Eskleigh will now have to remain in hospital at a significantly higher cost to Tasmanian taxpayers?
Ms O'CONNOR - I thank the shadow minister for her question and her ongoing interest in this area. I am aware, and I have been up to Eskleigh and I have met Dale Luttrell and I have walked through that excellent facility, but there are funding issues with Eskleigh and there is an ongoing conversation between my department and Eskleigh Home over their funding shortfall. There is a history of funding issues with Eskleigh Home and they provide quite a specific and excellent service to people living with disabilities. But my very clear understanding is that the department is currently working with Eskleigh to address some of those funding issues. I would say this: the Disabilities Services budget is continually stretched. We provide $156 million a year to service providers and many of them are under some strain because the demand is increasing for services. My very clear understanding is that the department is continuing to work with Eskleigh on their funding issues. Again, I thank you for your interest in this area.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
ESKLEIGH FUNDING: Letter to Senator Barnett March 17 2011
Dear Senator Barnett,
I write with reference to a desperate funding deficiency which has arisen for Eskleigh Home at Perth.
Eskleigh Foundation supports adults with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 65, with the 42 bed Eskleigh Home at Perth, group homes around the state, and attendant car services. We employ approximately 100 staff across the state.
This deficiency has been some time in the making, due to assurances and promises which we have been repeatedly given by the State Government.
In 2008, myself and other representatives from the Eskleigh Board, and Dale Luttrell, the CEO, participated in a review of the necessity for nursing services at Eskleigh Home, with representatives from Disability Services.
The result of the study was a resounding yes-the residents of Eskleigh Home require a high level of care and consequently Disability Services provided additional funding for one year to assist with the cost of nursing staff.
After this study, the State Government contracted KPMG to prepare a proposal for unit funding to replace the current block funding arrangements for disability services. Our CEO, Dale Luttrell, was deeply and time-consumingly involved in the process as Tasmanian Chair for NDS. Dale received regular assurances from Disability Services that Eskleigh would greatly benefit from the unit funding arrangement due to our high level of patient care requirements-which are effectively being delivered with minimal increases in funding.
During the period of the unit funding proposal preparation, Dale felt it inappropriate for the Board to lobby for funding increases as he was confident of a positive outcome at the end of the process-this delay resulted in a loss of $567000 for Eskleigh Home in 2009-2010, and a projected shortfall to the end of 2011 of $384000.
At the KPMG presentation to Disability Services organisations on November 2nd, 2010, we were blithely informed by Liz Forsyth of KPMG that Eskleigh, along with other larger accommodation providers in the state, was ‘outside government policy ‘ and therefore no increased funding would result for these organisations from this process.
Further discussions were held with Ingrid Ganley and various other representatives from Disability Services resulted in recognition that an immediate funding injection of $384000 was necessary to maintain the viability of Eskleigh for 2010-2011. We received communication from Ingrid Ganley on 28th January 2011 that this funding had been approved, and that further consideration would be given to the arrears of the previous year.
Last week, we were informed by Ingrid Ganley that this funding is no longer available, and that on further submission an amount of $261000 may be approved. This does not meet our requirements, and requires further submissions to be submitted and approved
My areas of concern are as follows:
1. These funding arrears are definitely not arising due to poor financial management by Eskleigh. The KPMG presentation demonstrated very strongly that Eskleigh is one of the most economically run organisations in the state, despite the fact that we also provide nursing services. Additionally, whilst other accommodation services close during the day and send their residents to day care, Eskleigh is open 24/7/365.
2. Every time Disability Services changes their mind, they request more information from Eskleigh-all of which they have on file as it is required on a yearly basis. One of the Disability Services representatives admitted that they don’t read the figures which each organisation sends in each year, which is why they require us to re-send figures. The enormous amount of time and effort which has been expended by our (and all of the other) CEO’s, and the Disability Services employees, on this convoluted and wasteful process is absurd.
3. Disability Services is currently requesting that we accommodate three long term Launceston General Hospital patients at Eskleigh on a permanent basis. These patients are all high care, requiring copious staff hours and expensive treatments. The cost of accommodating each patient per year at the Launceston General Hospital is approximately $1500 per day, or $547500p.a.,, a total cost to the hospital of $1642500p.a. The cost of accommodating a patient at Eskleigh Home is $97095p.a.(Other accommodation services are costing up to $115000 per resident) We regret that we are unable to accommodate any further patients until this funding debacle is resolved, and if the State Government refuses to provide adequate funding on an ongoing basis and without Eskleigh having to jump through hoops every year, we will have to close Eskleigh Home. Not only would this leave our present 39 resident without accommodation, but also leaves approximately 100 employees without jobs.
Senator Bartlett, we are at crisis point. The Board was content to recommend continuation of the services of Eskleigh Home provided that we received the funding as previously agreed, but unfortunately will now be forced to reconsider.
I understand that Perth itself is not specifically your area but Eskleigh is the major accommodation provider for disabled adults for Launceston and surrounds.
I also understand that this is not technically a Federal matter, but it has been so badly handled at State level that we no longer have confidence that the State Government have the ability to rectify the situation. Many promises were made at Federal level regarding the care of people with disabilities during the last election-some assistance right now would be greatly appreciated.
I would very much appreciate your assistance in this matter. Please advise me if there is any more information which you require.
Yours sincerely
Diane Porteous
Chair, Eskleigh Foundation
0419 364692
P.S. We would very much like to expand the services and facilities offered by Eskleigh Home-there are 72 people in Launceston waiting for accommodation and we feel extremely well positioned and qualified to offer accommodation opportunities to them. After we received assurance that the State Government was proceeding with the funding, we initiated investigations as to potential options and expansions, travelling to Melbourne to examine possibilities. However, without the assurance of ongoing funding for our current arrangements, we do not have the confidence to proceed with plans for the future
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)