St John of God Healthcare in Australia: Central Organization Analysis

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A REPORT ON ST JOHN OF GOD HEALTHCARE IN AUSTRALIA,
CENTRAL ORGANIZATION ANALYSIS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The St. John of God healthcare organization is ranked the third largest private hospital. It
operates a total of 24 hospitals and facilities with a total capacity of 3400 beds. In Australia, it is
the third largest not for a profit Catholic hospital. It is also operating in New South Wales, New
Zealand, and Victoria. This organization is fully owned and managed by the St John of God
Australia limited. In addition to hospital services, it is also involved in social n outreach services.
The organization has greatly impacted the community by providing quality health care services;
it also operates disability homes which is evident in the construction of the high tech house that
is aimed at improving the quality of life of people with intellectual disability while using
noninvasive technology.
The organization is headed by the Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Shan Kelly who
works together with the various departmental heads including the Clinical Department, Quality
and Safety Department, Nursing Department and Accounting Department to ensure that the
services given are of high quality.
The report summarizes all the aspects of the central organization's management including
finance utilization, governance, policy environment and their attitude towards and utilization of
technology. From the analysis done by systematically going through the organization's profile
and annual reports, the following conclusions were made. The political environment in Australia
is favorable for the operation of both the public and private hospitals. However, private hospitals
need a license from the federal government for its operations. St John of God being a not for
profit organization is also to register with the ACNP commission responsible for the protection
of the charities and not for profit organization. The health practitioners also are required to be
registered by the relevant bodies including the AHPRA, AMA representing the registered

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medical practitioners, ANMF which protects the registered and enrolled nurses and midwives.
The organization also has to comply with the Commission on Safety and Quality in healthcare
(ACCCCCSQHC} regulations in order to operate.
The organization is not for profit based, it uses most of the revenue it collects in
expenditure. For instance, for the annual report of 2017/2018, the organization used $1.5 billion
out of $1.7 billion revenue earned in expenses including salaries of employees. In the same
period, the organization had borrowed a total o$ 285.5 million is that it also depends on loans for
its operations other than donors and well-wishers.
In order to keep pace with the competitive environment, the organization has wholly
embraced technology. This is evident by the appointing of Mr. Grahanne Coles who is highly
experienced in matters technology to be the group's head of the IT department. The organization
has also embraced several technologies such as MedVR. This technology helps in ensuring that
an individual patient receives individual-centered services. It also shows how virtual reality is
used to stimulate surgeries.
The main problem encountered during the analysis is that the relevant data was limited
and hence more research needs to be done on the organization. The report also recommends that
the departmental heads in the various hospitals should work closely with the staff so as not to
feel sidelined. A compliment from an anonymous former employee complained of the
organization having gender preference to the extent of employing noncompetent men over
competent women. The organization should ensure competency when hiring their staff and also
allow leaves for the nurses as well.

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1) Political and policy environment
Quality health care service is important in every economy to ensure economic growth
(Hall et al. 2004). The Australian federal, territory and local governments play various roles to
ensure quality services. The government is responsible for funding public hospitals and
developing policies and regulations in both the private and public sectors. Universal health
insurance known as Medicare is provided for both Australian and non-Australian s. The country
also allows for the purchase of private health insurance as well as subsidizing pharmaceutical
products through the pharmaceutical benefits scheme to ensure the citizens are not discouraged
to purchase medication because of the cost.
St John of God a not for profit organization needs to be licensed by the government for
its operation. The organization is also to be registered under the Australian charity and not for
profit organization. (ACNP) The government has also developed various policy regulations that
are responsible for streamlining the health sector. Some of the bodies include;
 Australian Commission on safety and quality in health care. This body ensures the
quality of health care services provided and the safety of the patients in both the
private and public health sectors. This body receives funding from the
government and it ensures the health care sector meets the regulations for them to
be able to operate.
 The Australian health practitioners' regulation agency which ensures all health
care professionals is accredited and in case of a breach in the medical ethics takes
action against the professionals. This ensures the safety of the patients.
 Australian Medical Association (AMA). This organization represents all medical
practitioners (doctors) of Australia and enrolled students.