Comprehensive Report: St John of God Healthcare Central Organization

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of St John of God Healthcare in Australia, examining its central organization. The report begins with an executive summary and proceeds to detail the political and policy environment, organizational design, leadership structure, financial resource utilization, and the organization's attitude towards and utilization of technology. It highlights the regulatory framework, including compliance with government bodies like the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare, and the financial performance of the organization, including revenue, expenditure, and investments in technology and community outreach. The report also evaluates the leadership team, including the CEO and departmental heads, and concludes with recommendations for improvement, such as better staff integration. The analysis is based on the organization's profile and annual reports, and it also highlights the importance of technology in healthcare delivery, including the use of MedVR. The report acknowledges limitations in the available data and suggests further research.

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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.

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 Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF).This is the union in which
all nurses, enrolled nurses’ midwives and nursing assistants in every state in
Australia are to be registered.
2) Organizational design and coordination
Just like any other organization, St John of God is headed by the group chief executive
officer who works together with the various departmental heads including; the group clinical
director, quality and safety officer, director of nursing, director of accountants and the human
resource manager who all work closely to ensure quality service delivery. The group CTO is to
oversee all activities working closely with the various CEOs of the facilities under the
organization.
The group chief executive is to be appointed by the board and is expected to be
accountable to the board on the day to day activities of the organization in Australia New
Zealand and Asia Pacific region.
Responsibilities of CEO of St John of God Healthcare
i) Maintenance of good financial health and stability of the Hospital
The appointed CEO must have vast knowledge in financial management and supports the
Chief Finance Officer in making critical decisions in the hospital.
ii) Ensures the safety of every patient
The CEO ensures the set-aside safety measures are properly evaluated and implemented
in the hospital to ensure that maximum safety is guaranteed to the patients.

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iii) Promotion of patient satisfaction
The CEO must ensure that every patient admitted in the hospital is handled in the highest
professional manner and also the patient's ideas be incorporated in the management. This ensures
maximum patient satisfaction in the hospital.
iv) Communication and relationship
The appointed CEO must have excellent communication skills. This would ensure a good
relationship with board directors, community leaders, medical staff and other key stakeholders.
v) Chairs the meeting of other executive officers
The chief executive is responsible for convening and chairs an executive committee
comprising of senior executives in the various regions who advices on operation matters and
provide assistance where needed.
Quality and safety department encompasses accommodation services, administrations,
catering, horticulture and grounds, information technology and technical services and finally
safety and risk. The director of nursing works closely with the nursing administration and nurse
managers.
The accounts department is concerned with the books of accounts and individual
employee payrolls'. The HR manager is concerned with the human resource as well as training
and education while, the Director of Nursing oversees nurses’ welfare in healthcare.
3) Leadership and framework
The St John of God organization is headed by the chief executive officer appointed by the
board and is accountable to the board. The group's chief executive is Dr. Shane Kelly who was

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appointed in June 2016. He has advanced experience in healthcare including 16 years as a CEO
at hospitals in Western Australia. Next in rank is the group director of medical services and
governance Dr. Steve Bolsin appointed in May 2019. Dr. Steve has a total of 30 years’
experience in healthcare particularly clinical governance. The group director of digital and
technology Mr. Grahanne Coles appointed in February 2019 who is responsible for the IT
department. The group chief finance Officer Mr. Steve Goldsworthy appointed in December
2017 who is in charge of all finance related issues across the group's hospitals.
The group director of workforce Ms. Rita Maguire appointed in November 2012, she has
a total of 20 years’ experience in human resource management in both public and private sectors
Ms. Dani Maniema is the group director of nursing and patient experience appointed in January
2019. She boasts of over 15 years in nursing experience. Next follows the group director mission
integration Ms. Marcella Mogg who was appointed in November 2016 with 25 years’ experience
in the professional leadership management of large social health as well as social services.
The group director corporate governance Mr. John Pease appointed in October 2014 has a
great experience I risk management, internal audits, compliance with regulations as well as legal
services. Next is the chief operating officer of the hospitals appointed in August 2018. Finally is
the chief executive director community services Nr Kevin Taylor appointed in February 2017
responsible for overseeing all community-based activities. This group of leaders' works together
with the CEO'S of the various hospitals together with the staff to ensure the organization meets
its vision and mission and to ensure it provides quality services to its clients as well as to meet
the national regulations and policies.
4) Financial resource utilization

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Proper financial management and forward thinking and effective planning are essential
for running of any organization. This is achieved by ensuring policies are established for
monthly reporting, management, approval of expenditure, approval of budgets, effective
management of large capital as well as regular benchmarking with the competitors. The
organization is putting these in practice to ensure the effective utilization of funds for its growth
as well as providing its intended purpose.
The report from the 2014/2015 annual report says the organization has been able to
employ over 10 000 staff from 2500 staff since it began its operation. In the stated year, the
organization purchased Mercy hospital from Mercy Care benefiting both organizations as well as
strengthening health care in Western Australia. The organization also provided support for the
senior executives to obtain the Catholic university graduate certificate in the culture of the
Catholic Church as well as leadership. This formed the basis for an inclusive approach to
leadership as well as management of development.
In the 2015/2016 annual report, the organization managed to open the St John of God
Midland public and private hospitals in Western Australia. The organization was also able to
expand its work in community outreach at a cost $1.4 million and social justice at a cost of $2
million. In the year 2015, the organization obtained a revenue of$1.6 billion an increase of
20.8% on the year 2014/2015. In the same year, the organization also partnered with Generation
healthcare REIT in an innovative funding model to renovate several hospitals including
Murdoch, Bendigo, Geelong, and Berwick.
In the annual report for the period ended June 2018, the organization achieved revenue of
more than $1.7 billion reflecting a growth of 1.1%. The organization spent a total of #1.5 billion
in staff payment, medical equipment, and expenses together with other expenses. The

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organization has also continued providing assistance to over 1000 clients with accommodation,
therapy, individualized support, and employment services. The organization also commenced
construction of a five bed roomed high tech house to improve on the quality of life of people
with intellectual disabilities. It also sponsored the training of 240 nurses with 41 nurses' and13
midwives graduating from the program.
5) Attitude to and utilization of technology
In the 21st century, changes in technology are almost inevitable in every sector. To keep
up with the competition, every organization needs to develop strategies towards embracing
technology to ensure customer satisfaction. St John of God organization has embraced
technology. According to their annual report on strategic priorities of 2015-2019 published in
March 2014, the organization aims to significantly increase its investment in technology,
analytics, and technology. According to the report, the organization intended to:
 Implement clinical information systems across every hospital
 Routinely monitor and report on the outcome
 Active participate in electronic health record activities
 Recreate the websites and intranet after every two years.
In a recent article report by (Byron 2019) the organization appointed experienced IT
executives like Grahame Cole to head the digital and technology department. The chief executive
officer Dr. Shanne Kelly believes that Grahame's experience in information technology will be of
great importance to the organization. Dr. Grahanne on his side said he was looking forward to
working together with the St John of God team to find solutions I technology to meet its strategic
goals.

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In technology utilization, the organization in partnership with Perth based innovators has
been able to develop a technology known as MedVR. This is a technology used to ensure
individual patients receive individual-centered services. It shows how virtual reality is used to
stimulate surgeries. This is important in allowing the surgeons to plan their operations in
collaboration with another specialist to ensure the delivery of the best services. The pilot site for
this technology is in Subiaco hospital.
A report by Lynne 2018 shows partnership of the organization with a collection of digital
health companies aimed at the construction of high tech house in Melbourne which targeted
patients with intellectual disabilities. The houses were to be completed in a month's time as they
were under construction. The main aim of the construction of these homes was to improve the
quality of life of the named residents. The home was to ensure the utilization of non-invasive
technology while putting into consideration the privacy of the residents. The home was to
include trials for wearable mobile device apps, voice assistants as well as sensors and artificial
intelligence. The devices were to help in reducing dependence on caregivers as well as help
inform caregivers in case a resident is in need of assistance.
Another instance of Technology utilization is the development of a data-driven clinical
command center at the Murdoch hospital. The command center acts as the epicenter of
operations that helps in monitoring a patient movement from arrival to the recovery wards. This
has developed a culture in which data is the driving force for workflow as well as performance.
Similar command centers have also been established in other hospitals.
From the findings, St. John of God has clearly embraced technology and is putting it into
use to ensure quality services and patient satisfaction.

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6) RECOMMENDATIONS
The report recommends the employment of an all-inclusive workforce with the relevant
competencies required for the effective running of the various facilities it operates.
Staff rights in the various facilities should also be looked into such as annual leaves for
the health providers.

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Armstrong, B., 2007. Challenges in health and health care for Australia. Medical journal
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Anon., 2015/2016. St John of God Annual Report, Melbourne: annual report.sjog.org.au..
Conolly, B., 2019. New Digital and Technology Leader, Melbourne:
https://www.sjog.org.au.
Hall, J., Viney, R., Haas, M., & Louviere, J., 2004. Using stated preference discrete
choice modelling to evaluate health care programs. Journal of business research. 57(9), 1026-
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Harvey, M., 2009. Hospital utilization and costs study, p, 87.
Healthcare, S. J. o. G., 2017/2018. Every Encounter Matters., Melbourne, Victoria:
annualreport.sjog.org.au.
Healthcare, S. J. o. G., 2017.Continuing the Healing Mission, Melbourne, Victoria:
www.sjog.org.au.
Healthcare, S. J. o. G., 2018. World -first virtual reality technology enhancing patient
care St John of God Subiaco Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria: www.sjog.org.au.
Louise, F., Mary, E., and Anne, P., 2011. Introduction to public health. Elservier
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