Ministry of Health looks to downsize by 25%
Thursday, 21 March 2024
About 180 roles could be disestablished at the Ministry of Health (MoH) as it looks to downsize staff numbers by 25%.
The Ministry has confirmed just over a quarter of all positions, including vacancies, may be disestablished.
It was a “difficult and unsettling time” for staff, Geoff Short, the Ministry’s transformation management office director said. He was unable to provide a figure on the number of vacancies.
“The numbers are still being finalised, and will be used to inform consultation documents. We will be sharing this information, once finalised, with staff first,” he said.
Ministry staff were in a meeting today where Director-General of Health Dr Diana Sarfati told staff 25% of roles were likely to be disestablished, according to a staff member who was there.
They feared the cuts would impact the Ministry’s ability to function.
“Surely this will affect the Ministry’s ability to do its job in this huge amount of turmoil and unrest. People will find it very difficult to be able to adjust to a completely transformed organisation.”
Short confirmed there was a staff update today where they were told about indicative timings for upcoming consultation “on a proposal for organisational change”.
“The proposal would create some new positions that would be available for redeployment,“ Short said.
A further group of positions may also be affected by proposals for a reporting line change or a change in job title. Staff would be given full details of the proposed changes in the consultation document, he said.
The cuts are a proposal so may change.
Consultation will run for three weeks from April 5.
“Following feedback from staff and any changes to the proposals, final decisions will be made by June 30. It is expected a new organisational structure will be stood up in August.”
The staff member said they were told those affected would be informed via email on Tuesday, April 2, which left people “unimpressed”.
The Post reported last week that the ministry needed to propose job cuts to meet the Government’s cost saving targets.
Staff were updated on the ministry’s work to find its 6.5% savings, and how it could affect the workforce at a meeting on March 8.
At the time a spokesperson said staff were told the ministry would need to propose job losses.
Other non personnel savings had been found over the past few weeks, as well as removing many vacant roles late last year. There is also a recruitment freeze in place.
The ministry had a headcount of 754 staff as of June 30, 2023, or 730 full-time equivalent roles (permanent and fixed term).