AHPS ARE ORGANISING FOR A BETTER DEAL | Public Sector Review | August 2023

The public health system and other areas of government which provide allied health services comprise many hard-working professionals, who all play an important role in delivering care to our community.

The Public Service Association (PSA) is the principal union for public sector Allied Health Professionals in South Australia. We count among our members social workers, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, dietitians, pharmacists, radiographers, physiotherapists, psychologists and music therapists from across Health, Child Protection, Corrections, Education, Treasury and Finance, Attorney General’s, Courts Administration Authority and Human Services.

Despite the expanding role AHPs play, their pay often does not accurately reflect their value and their employment conditions are inconsistent with those of doctors or nurses. The contribution of frontline workers, such as doctors and nurses, is well known and recognised. Perhaps as well-known (within the community at least) is the critical role allied health professionals play in both acute and community settings across so many disciplines, yet these essential workers are often not afforded the same respect as their nursing and medical colleagues by public sector employers. The PSA recognises this and is seeking to work with members to ensure the visibility of AHPs and what they do in the workplace is strengthened.

Earlier this year, the PSA established the Allied Health Professionals Network as a way to bring AHP members together to address and organise around issues important to them.

We know from members that concerns include recruitment and retention issues, unsustainable workloads and rostering, lack of professional development opportunities and lack of career opportunities. The PSA is conducting a comprehensive survey to hear more about these and other issues impacting on AHPs across the public sector.

“Similar issues affect many of our AHP members. These common issues bring with them the opportunity to unite across worksites and disciplines to achieve positive change,”

said PSA General Secretary Natasha Brown.

“The PSA has a proud history representing and advocating for members in a vast range of professions across the public sector.

“The direct participation of our AHP members in this new network is integral to building the power of our union so that together we can effectively deal with the issues affecting AHPs.”

Members of the AHP Network have been involved in providing expert information and ideas to the PSA for the Minister for Health and Wellbeing’s Psychology Roundtable discussion, and a Network delegation is meeting with SA Health to discuss the SA Health Strategic Workforce Plan.

If you would like to know more about PSA Allied Health Professionals Network, email enquiries@psaofsa.asn.au

To register to join the Allied Health Professionals Network visit the PSA website at psaofsa.asn. au/psa-ahp-member-networkregistration