Identify the key lines of authority and responsibility for achieving the overall organisational goals within the suggested structure (you may wish to compare this with the key lines of authority and responsibility in the previous functional structure).

Essay instructions:

After reading the case study above and using the course materials and essential readings, develop a short, critical essay style discussion paper.
Within the essay, ensure that the following four (4) key points below are part of the discussion.
1. The advantages and limitations of the existing hospital organisational structure for the current health care environment and changing health needs of the population.
2. Suggest an alternative organisational structure that might be suitable for the new health service; describe the features of such a structure and identify how that structure might better facilitate the achievement of the new mission and strategic goals of the organisation.
3. Identify the key lines of authority and responsibility for achieving the overall organisational goals within the suggested structure (you may wish to compare this with the key lines of authority and responsibility in the previous functional structure).
4. Critically analyse the advantages and limitations of the suggested type of structure in relation to the changing health care environment and what the organisation wishes to achieve for patients, carers and the community.

This assignment requires you to read andcritically analysethe material from Module 1 of the Unit Learning Modules and the Study Guide in order to understand organisations from the point of view of their purpose and what they aim to achieve (the vision, mission and strategic goals); how organisational structures provide lines of authority and responsibility for achieving the mission and goals and the advantages and limitations of the various organisational structures commonly used in health care.
The analysis should critically examine the type of organisational structure that would be suitable for an organisation undergoing the described change and redevelopment and comment on the usefulness of that type of structure in helping the organisation to achieve the stated mission, strategy and goals.

In writing this critical discussion paper, it is important to:
• read and interpret the information provided in the course materials; to question and evaluate that information; relate the theory to what happens in practice;
• identify problems and possible solutions, develop an argument (or series of arguments) and support your suggestions and arguments with evidence from the literature and examples from the field.

The two primary aims of this type of critical reading, thinking and writing are to
• analyse and evaluate the work of other people and
• develop your own arguments (supported by evidence, specifically appropriate references).

Developing a critical approach to thinking allows you to assess information and to develop an informed opinion which can be supported by reliable evidence. It also enables you to interpret others opinions and have the ability to discuss issues in an informed and open manner. Critical thinking means thinking carefully, questioning and testing what you hear and read, and being prepared to examine and, if necessary, change your beliefs and ideas.

The marking sheet
These are on pages 21-22 and provide the criteria and standards against which your assignment will be marked.

Ensure that you cover all points on the marking sheet and that your critical discussion paper is structured to include an introduction, a number of paragraphs covering the key points of the assignment and a conclusion.

Please remember to:
• write in clear, concise English,
• avoid long lists or dot points and lengthy quotes and
• use examples from the case study to demonstrate your understanding of the ideas and concepts from the literature.

You may wish to use headings to structure your assignment. Remember, all ideas and concepts drawn from textbooks, the literature or websites must be correctly acknowledged and referenced.