This Newsletter covers Federal and State policy and legislative developments in the area of health. Copies of documents referred to can be obtained by clicking on the reference in this Newsletter or through Capital Monitor's collection at www.capitalmonitor.com.au or from the source quoted.
Major Announcements
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
4 February
Continuing focus on the global fight against cancer
'As we mark World Cancer Day, the Australian Government is urging all Australians to be aware of the early warning signs of cancer and take part in free screening programs for breast, cervical and bowel cancer.' said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt. 'It is also a timely reminder of the steps all Australians can take to minimise cancer risk factors including tobacco use, obesity, and exposure to UV rays. Cancer can take a long time to develop, and screening can find cancer in the early stages. It can also find changes to cells before they become cancer or identify infections that may cause cancer in the future.'
Download
South Australian hub a genomics powerhouse in the fight against cancer
The Government is investing $15 million to help establish an innovative cancer genomics laboratory in South Australia, which aims to improve treatment options for Australians with cancer. The new laboratory will be established in SA Pathology. It will strengthen South Australia's capacity in genomic diagnostic testing, which is key to finding new pathways for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. Minister Hunt said the Government was committed to funding breakthroughs in medical research, like genomics.
Download
$1.8 million for Charles Sturt University health student boost
Charles Sturt University will expand allied health student training and placements across the Riverina with a grant of $1.87 million announced by the Federal Coalition Government. Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said ensuring people in rural NSW had access to high quality health care continued to be a priority for the Coalition Government. 'This investment enables Charles Sturt University to provide intensive, high-quality rural education experiences in Forbes and Parkes through its Three Rivers Department of Rural Health,' Mr McCormack said.
Download
3 February
Eligible Australian kids 16+ can now get a booster
Minister Hunt has announced that eligible Australians aged 16 and 17 years old will be able to receive a COVID-19 booster vaccine, following recommendations from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). There are approximately 580,000 16 and 17 year olds in Australia, with 370,000 immediately eligible to receive their booster dose. The booster dose for 16-17 year olds will be one dose of the adult Pfizer vaccine three months after their primary course. ATAGI's advice for 16-17 year olds follows Therapeutic Goods Administration's (TGA) approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as a booster for this age group on 28 January 2022.
Download
Covid breath test among 24 innovative projects backed to commercialise
'The Government is backing more innovative Australian manufacturers to commercialise their great ideas, including a company working to develop a handheld one-minute COVID-19 breath test.' said Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor. 'Examin Holdings Pty Ltd is among 24 new companies to share in $11.68 million through the Australian Government's $30 million Commercialisation Fund, which has already supported 31 ground-breaking projects in the six National Manufacturing Priority areas. The Examin COVID Breath Test (ECBT) project includes finalising the device, which would come with a reading device and app, as well as a local supply chain capable of producing commercial orders.'
Download
More COVID outbreaks on Border Force vessels
The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) is extremely concerned about another COVID-19 outbreak aboard a Border Force Marine Unit vessel. The CPSU has learned that there are several COVID-positive cases on a Cape Class vessel anchored in port. CPSU is particularly concerned that The Department of Home Affairs is not removing COVID-positive officers from the vessel, but rather keeping both positive and negative officers aboard - effectively inappropriately turning the vessel into a quarantine facility, and that some officers have been denied access to Rapid Antigen Tests, despite being close contacts.
Download
2 February
Protecting remote communities in the Northern Territory from COVID-19
'The Australian Government has implemented further measures to protect remote communities during the current COVID-19 outbreak in the Northern Territory (NT).' said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt. 'Remote communities in the NT continue to see escalating cases of COVID-19. The situation required a broader public health response to supplement the Northern Territory Government's response. As Minister for Health and Aged Care, I have made a determination under section 477 of the Commonwealth Biosecurity Act 2015 to prevent a person from entering or exiting remote regional zones in the Northern Territory.'
Download
Public dental waiting lists balloon as the impacts of COVID-19 bite
Waiting times for public dental care in Victoria have ballooned over the past 6 months as the impact of restrictions on access to basic dental care and a chronic lack of funding continue, according to new data released by the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch (ADAVB). 'There are more than 1.5 million Victorian adults who are eligible to access public dental care in Victoria, but only 100,000 were able to receive care in the past 6 months, around 26% fewer than normal,' ADAVB CEO A/Prof Matt Hopcraft said. 'Public dental waiting times have now increased to 24.8 months across Victoria, up from 22.7 months in June 2021.'
Download
No need to wait on ATAGI, Minister, change definition of 'fully vaccinated' now
Catholic Health Australia (CHA) is calling on Health Minister Greg Hunt to step upland immediately change Australia’s official definition of 'fully vaccinated' from two doses to three. During a television interview, Mr Hunt said he was waiting on for the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation to consider changing the definition of fully vaccinated. But CHA Manager of Health Policy Alex Lynch said the federal government could and should make the call now. 'It's just misleading for states to be reporting a 'fully vaccinated' rate of 95 per cent-plus when that refers to double dosing which we know is inadequate,' Mr Lynch said.
Download
VIC: Securing rapid tests and making them in Victoria
'The Victorian Government is supporting local manufacturing of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) to help secure critical supplies for the state and create more local jobs in our thriving medical technology sector. Lumos Diagnostics, together with its delivery partner Planet Innovation, will establish a manufacturing facility and innovation hub in Victoria with support from the Government.' said Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Victorian Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford. Lumos, who are already making RATs for Canadian and European markets, will produce one million tests a month from April, with full production from October onwards of up to 50 million RATs each year.
Download
VIC: Consistent visitation rules to better support patients, families and staff
The Victorian Government is calling for uniform hospital visitation arrangements to give certainty and fairness to patients and their families. Despite the COVID pandemic running for more than two years, hospitals have not been provided sufficient guidance on rules relating to visitation of patients by family, friends and loved ones. This inconsistency is causing confusion across the healthcare system and significant distress for patients and families whilst receiving treatment and during their recovery. Victorian Shadow Ministers for Disability Tim Bull and Victorian Shadow Minister for Health Georgie Crozier said it was crucial patients were able to stay connected with family and that consistent rules were delivered across the health system.
Download
WA: Third dose vaccination blitz to keep Western Australians safe
'The WA Government is launching a two-week third dose vaccination blitz in February to keep Western Australians safe from COVID-19 - particularly Omicron. Western Australia's double dose vaccination rate for those aged 12 and older is now at 91.9 per cent.' said WA Premier Mark McGowan. 'Of those Western Australians 16 and over, 37.6 per cent have received a third dose and the third dose vaccination rate is increasing by around one per cent per day this year. About 1.2 million Western Australians are currently eligible for a third dose vaccination.'
Download
1 February
Update on action on rapid antigen test pricing
The ACCC is continuing to receive a high number of consumer reports about pricing and selling practices relating to rapid antigen tests in Australia and is investigating several potential Australian Consumer Law breaches. The ACCC has received almost 3,900 reports from consumers about rapid antigen tests between 25 December 2021 and 26 January 2022, averaging about 121 reports per day. Pharmacies have been the most-complained about sector, attracting 1,309 complaints, or almost 34 per cent of reports, outstripping petrol stations (781 complaints, 20 per cent of reports) and convenience stores, tobacconists and supermarkets (764 complaints, almost 20 per cent).
Download
Plan needed to tackle big backlog of essential operations
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) are calling on all levels of Government to develop a national plan to address the growing and increasingly critical backlog of elective surgeries. The call comes as new Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) data shows Australians are waiting longer than ever for essential surgery, across a range of categories and conditions. For example, the proportion of patients waiting more than a year for knee replacement surgery tripled from 11 per cent to 32 per cent, in just the last two years.
Download
NSW: Staged return of non urgent elective surgery
From 7 February non-urgent elective surgery requiring an overnight stay will return to 75 per cent capacity in private hospitals, and up to 75 per cent of pre pandemic activity levels at public hospitals in regional and rural NSW where they are able to do so. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said with COVID-19 hospitalisations stabilising, non-urgent elective surgery requiring an overnight stay can now begin to resume in a safe and staged manner from 7 February. NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said private hospitals will retain some capacity to assist public hospitals by taking patients if necessary and will also continue to take public patients for nonurgent elective surgery to ensure equity of access.
Download
NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
Across NSW, more than 95 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 94 per cent have received two doses to Sunday 30 January 2022. Of people aged 12to15, 83.2 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 78.5 per cent have received two doses. Of people aged 5 to 11, 39 per cent have received a first dose of a COVID-19vaccine. The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 15,727,205 with 4,792,299 doses administered by NSW Health and 10,934,906 administered by the GP network, pharmacies and other providers to 11:59pm on Sunday 30 January 2022.
Download
VIC: Vaccines coming to museums, aquariums, zoos and more
'Vulnerable and disadvantaged Victorian children will soon have the chance to get their COVID-19 vaccine among lions, meerkats, sharks, dinosaurs, robots and starlit galaxies. Starting on 12 February, COVID-19 vaccination pop-ups will roll out in some of Victoria's most iconic venues - including Scienceworks, Melbourne Zoo and Sealife Aquarium - with each site intended specifically for vulnerable children or those living with disability.' said Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley. Victoria's pop-ups for kids - or 'K-pops' - will start at nine initial locations across Melbourne.
Download
VIC: Special Education daily RAT recommendation confusion
Children with disabilities are being asked to undertake five rapid antigen tests (RATs) each week before attending special development school by the Andrews Government. In contrast, mainstream school students are requested to undertake only two RATs a week. Victorian Shadow Assistant Minister for Education and Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath has called on the Victorian Government to explain why it failed to consult broadly with families with children with disabilities about its back-to-school recommendations. Download 'Parents of children with disabilities have contacted me expressing genuine frustration around the Andrews Government's Covid testing plan and lack of communication - they are particularly concerned about the state government's recommendation to perform daily nasal swabs'
Download
31 January
ATAGI update following weekly COVID-19 meeting
On Thursday 27 January 2022, ATAGI met to consider the latest developments relating to COVID-19 immunisation. As of 26 January 2022, over 48 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia. ATAGI encourages all adults aged 18 years and over to receive a booster dose as soon as they are eligible. ATAGI continues to monitor COVID-19 epidemiology in Australia including the Omicron variant of concern and the timing of COVID-19 booster vaccinations as outlined in our 24 December 2021 advice. ATAGI has begun considerations of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses in people under the age of 18.
Download
NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW Health said that across NSW, more than 95 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 94 per cent have received two doses to Saturday 29 January 2022. Of people aged 12to15, 83.2 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 78.5 per cent have received two doses. Of people aged 5to11, 38.7 per cent have received a first dose of a COVID-19vaccine. The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 15,706,550 with 4,784,022 doses administered by NSW Health and 10,922,528 administered by the GP network, pharmacies and other providers to 11:59pm on Saturday 29 January 2022.
Download
WA: COVID-19 coronavirus: WA's new hard border settings
WA Health said that new transitional border arrangements are being introduced under WA's Updated Safe Transition Plan to allow for safe, compassionate travel into WA and the return of legitimate Western Australians. Under the new hard border arrangements, approved travellers are permitted to enter WA with testing and quarantine requirements under the announced expansion of approved traveller categories.
Download
WA: COVID-19 latest updates from CME
WA Health recorded 12 new local cases of COVID-19 in WA. All of the 12 new local cases are linked to existing clusters, including seven linked to the nightclub cluster. All cases are now in quarantine and public health continues to investigate and monitor them. Ten cases have also been recorded related to travel.
Download
29 January
AUSMAT deployed to further support Solomon islands Covid-19 response
Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne, Minister for Defence Peter Dutton and Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja said that: 'In response to a request from the Solomon Islands Government, Australia has deployed an eight person Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) to support Solomon Islands' response to the growing COVID-19 outbreak. The AUSMAT specialists arrived on a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-17A aircraft that was also carrying 37,800 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines to support the ongoing vaccination efforts of our partners the Solomon Islands Government.'
Download
TAS: COVID-19 update in Tasmania
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said that the health and safety of Tasmanians remains our number one priority as we continue to make the transition to living with COVID-19 in our community. Tasmania has recorded 683 new cases, but importantly an additional 690 people have now recovered and have been released from isolation in the last 24 hours. This brings the total number of people released from isolation to around 23,450. There are currently 4,935 active cases in Tasmania. There are 17 people who have COVID-19 in hospital, seven who are being treated primarily for COVID symptoms, and there is one individual in the ICU.
Download
28 January
Another option in the fight against COVID
Community pharmacists will join the expanded fight against COVID-19 with a new booster option available for Australians aged 16 or 17. It's the latest step in the effort to protect younger Australians and follows introduction earlier this month of vaccinations for children aged 5-11. Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, Professor Trent Twomey, said it is crucial that Australia maintain world's best practice with vaccinations. Provisional approval for the Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd COVID-19 vaccine, COMIRNATY, for use as a booster in individuals aged 16 and 17 years old, is a logical next step in this process, Professor Twomey said.
Download
Return to top
Aged Care
01 February
$800 bonus to support Australia's Aged Care workforce
The Government will provide $210 million to support the aged care workforce to continue to care for older Australians during the COVID 19 pandemic. A bonus of up to $800 will be made in two instalments of up to $400 each. Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt said the payments acknowledged the response of the aged care workforce to the ongoing challenges of the pandemic. Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said the Government was committed to providing the best possible quality of care to our vulnerable older Australians.
Download
Tokenism in aged care won't cut it: Drop the $16B in high-end tax cuts to fund decent services
'It beggars belief that the Government (in Minister Hume's statement today) claims decent pay in aged care is 'unaffordable' when they plan to give away $16B a year in high end tax cuts.' said the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS). 'Aged care workers on $40,000 get token one off $400 payments ; people on $400,000 get permanent tax cuts worth $180 a week. In what universe is that a prudent and fair use of public funds? The Royal Commission recommended billions more funding than the government has so far delivered.'
Download
Aged care trinkets don't make up for long term neglect
Responding to PM Scott Morrison's announcement of two $400 retention payments for aged care staff, Health Services Union (HSU) National President Gerard Hayes said: 'This payment is a pre-election political strategy rather than a serious plan to fix the chronic underpayment of the nation's most deserving workers. 'We have a sustained crisis that has been brewing for years. Yet all we get is more short term political management, more kicking the can down the road, more denial of reality. When will this Government grow up?'
Download
Aged Care bonus no replacement for real investment in nurses
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) welcomes the Federal Government's announcement to provide aged care workers with a one-off financial bonus but said they must be-tax free and accompanied by greater investment in education and training for aged care nurses. 'I welcome the Prime Minister's recognition of the contribution aged care workers make to protecting and caring for our nation's elderly,' ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN said. 'However, it is nowhere near enough and as I wrote in a letter to the NSW Premier last week, pandemic bonuses are needed for nurses in NSW and across the country, and it must be a tax-free gift.'
Download
30 January
HSU welcomed Albo's aged care declaration
The Federal Leader of the Opposition's promise to support the Health Services Union Fair Work Commission case for a 25 per cent wage increase for aged care would provide a massive boost to the workforce, support attraction and retention of staff and improve quality of care. HSU National President, Gerard Hayes said: 'The great unresolved crisis in aged care is wages. Until the Commonwealth Government commits to pay aged care workers a decent wage this crisis will only get worse. 'Today we see a clear difference emerge between the major parties. Mr Albanese's declaration of support for the HSU case to lift aged care wages is hugely significant.'
Download
Return to top
Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
None this edition.
Return to top
Allied Health
None this edition.
Return to top
Children's Health
02 February
Top Victorian researchers join together to fight childhood cancer
The unique research expertise and clinical capabilities located in Victoria have come together in a new, multi-institutional partnership to fight childhood cancer. With the aid of a $9.6 million Morrison Government grant, the Victorian Paediatric Cancer Consortium (VPCC) will help advance childhood cancer research and treatment. The VPCC gathers world leading expertise from the Monash Technology Precinct and the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct. Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the Morrison Government is committed to ensuring every Australian child diagnosed with cancer has access to the latest, most effective treatment and the best chance of survival.
Download
28 January
Work begins on new youth hub for Cardinia Shire
Young people in the Cardinia Shire will soon have access to additional mental health support and services, with work underway on a new youth centre in Pakenham, Victoria. Minister Hunt said the new three storey facility would replace the existing service, which was struggling to keep pace with demand. 'As the population of young people in Cardinia continues to increase, so too does the number of young people presenting with mental health concerns,' Minister Hunt said. 'Currently, the waiting list for generalist youth support is six to eight weeks, and young people are travelling more than 50 kilometres to access specialist services based in Dandenong.'
Download
Research revealed approach to improve therapy for childhood cancer
A study led by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research has revealed a potential approach to improve outcomes for neuroblastoma, a rare but often aggressive cancer that is usually diagnosed in children under five years of age. The team identified three microRNAs, short molecules of genetic material that turn off genes, which sensitised neuroblastoma cells to chemotherapy while leaving normal cell types unharmed. If successful in further preclinical studies and clinical trials, these microRNAs may help make chemotherapy more effective for neuroblastoma patients.
Download
Return to top
Clinical Governance
None this edition.
Return to top
Construction and Health Infrastructure
None this edition.
Return to top
Dental
None this edition.
Return to top
Disabilities
31 January
WA Regional and Remote Expansion and Development Projects are underway
National Disability Services (NDS) announced the commencement of projects that received grant funds from the WA Regional and Remote Expansion and Development Fund. These projects will contribute to improving the provision of a broad range of sustainable, quality services to people with disability and their families living in regional and remote WA. Funding for these projects was provided by the Department of Communities, Sector Transition Fund. NDS received over sixty proposals with requests totalling around $10 million. The grants were awarded by an Evaluation Panel comprising representatives from: the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia, Department of Communities, Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Industry, People with Disabilities WA, and NDS.
Download
Return to top
Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
None this edition.
Return to top
E-Health
None this edition.
Return to top
Education and Training
3 February
Close to $2m to expand allied health training in St George to boost workforce
The Federal Government will invest nearly $2 million over 2 years to the University of Queensland to expand allied health student training opportunities in St George, in rural Queensland. Minister for Regional Health David Gillespie joined Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton in Toowoomba to make the announcement. Member for Maranoa, David Littleproud, whose electorate the placements will take place in, said the Coalition's investment will build the capability of the current resident health workforce in St George through supervised training and support, access to research opportunities and academic networks.
Download
Return to top
Funding
1 February
Funding for OrganMatch
The Minister responsible for the Organ and Tissue Authority (OTA), Dr David Gillespie announced $14.9 million funding boost for OrganMatch, a world-class software system that is helping save the lives of more Australians waiting for an organ transplant. OrganMatch went live in 2019 and continues to improve matching capabilities between kidney donors and people on the waitlist, helping patients who are highly sensitised - and hard to match for medical reasons - as well as young recipients and people who urgently need a transplant. Since the system began, there have been 31 highly sensitised patients who have received a kidney transplant, who otherwise might not have as easily found a match.
Download
Government report highlights need for critical investment in the health system
Data reported by the Productivity Commission again highlights the critical investment needed in the health system to address all the care that has been deferred and delayed through the pandemic,' said Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) Acting Chief Executive Kylie Woolcock. The Report on Government Services 2022 - health (part E) details the Steering Committee's Review of Government Service Provision findings, and provides information on the equity, effectiveness, and efficiency of government services in Australia. Findings of concern include the decrease of participation in cancer screenings nationwide.
Download
Health budget must counter COVID cracks
The Federal budget must step up investments in health and social wellbeing if Australia's health system is to come out of the COVID pandemic in strong shape, the Consumers Health Forum said. In its submission on the 2022 Federal Budget, CHF has proposed a range of measures that reflect the lessons learned from the pandemic, including more investment in income support and public housing, as crucial to promoting a healthier Australia. The CEO of the Consumers Health Forum, Leanne Wells, said the health system's capacity to meet the extraordinary demands had been tested by the pandemic.
Download
Return to top
Health Professionals
31 January
Mr Peter Foster - Pharmacist - Suspended for Professional Misconduct and Unsatisfactory Professional Conduct
The Health Care Complaints Commission prosecuted a complaint against Peter Foster, a registered pharmacist working at the David Wilson Day Night Chemist at Kirrawee. It was alleged that between 2015 - 2018 Mr Foster inappropriately dispensed large quantities of schedule 8 drugs of addiction to 8 patients, and that for 7 of the patients he knew or should have known that the drugs being supplied would risk the patient's health and safety or at risk of misuse or diversion.
Download
28 January
Australian college of nursing calls for urgent tax-free Covid payment to NSW nurses
In line with the call from the Perrottet Government requesting JobSaver-style support from the Commonwealth, the Australian College of Nursing wanted some of this funding to go urgently to nurses in NSW. 'Nurses are the largest registered health profession in the country, and there are over 73,000 nurses and midwives in NSW. As the national voice for the nursing profession, we hear from our members day and night about how stressed and exhausted they are. Their mental health is dire and many are talking to me about their plans to leave the profession,' said Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN, Chief Executive Officer of the ACN.
Download
Former medical practitioner who falsified vax exemptions reprimanded and prohibited from using the title 'Doctor
A former medical practitioner who created and signed 149 false vaccination exemption certificates and falsely completed 177 Medicare vaccination forms has been reprimanded, disqualified from applying for registration for six years, and prohibited from providing any health service or using the title 'Doctor' or 'Dr'. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (the tribunal) made the decision following a lengthy investigation by AHPRA for the Medical Board of Australia (the Board) and subsequent referral to the tribunal. The Board began investigating John Piesse in September 2016 after receiving notifications from State and Federal government Departments at the end of August that year. The Board received further notifications regarding Mr Piesse, including from members of the public and a hospital worker.
Download
Return to top
Hospitals
31 January
NSW: New medical interns coming to Royal North Shore
NSW Candidate for Willoughby Tim James, welcomed the 44 new medical interns coming to the Royal North Shore Hospital. With a large cohort of new medical interns joining the NSW Health system this year, Mr James said the Royal North Shore hospital is getting interns at a critical time to boost the local health workforce. 'As the son of a Royal North Shore Nurse, I really appreciate the amazing job that our health workers do. We owe them all a great debt of gratitude - particularly for the way that they have been keeping our community safe during this pandemic.'
Download
28 January
TAS: Tasmanians waiting years on the hidden surgery wait list
The length of time Tasmanians are waiting to see a specialist so they can get necessary surgery has blown out to an unacceptable level with many patients being left languishing for years. Tasmanian Shadow Health Minister Anita Dow said the release of the Tasmanian Government's own data showed the average wait time across all categories to access an outpatient appointment has blown out to 469 days, up from 396 days just a year ago. Tasmanians waiting for category one outpatient appointments in Hobart will wait 255 days while those in category three will be forced to wait 554 days - over a year.
Download
Return to top
Insurance
None this edition.
Return to top
Medicare
2 February
Happy birthday Medicare but are you still with it?
Medicare is nearly 40 years old and it's time to have a rethink of our much-valued universal health care insurance scheme. What aspects of Medicare do you think work well and what needs improving? These are two of the questions posed in a short Australia's Health Panel survey. 'Medicare was established 38 years ago on 1 February 1984. Since then, it has played a crucial role in enabling people get the care they need. Also since then much has changed in healthcare,' the CEO of the Consumers Health Forum, Leanne Wells, said.
Download
Return to top
Men's Health
None this edition.
Return to top
Mental Health
None this edition.
Return to top
Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System
None this edition.
Return to top
Pharmaceuticals and Regulation
30 January
Putting Australian medical manufacturers at the front of the queue
Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese, Shadow Minister for National Reconstruction, Employment, Skills and Small Business Richard Marles, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler and Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation Ed Husic said that: 'Critical medical supplies should be made in Australia - and the Australian Government should be buying Australian-made medical supplies. A Labor Government will increase Australia's sovereign manufacturing capacity in medical essentials, like testing equipment, masks, PPE and ventilators Labor's approach will give homegrown industry the certainty to invest and grow, meaning more jobs, more exports, better health and greater self-reliance. Australia has innovative businesses and some of the world's best scientists. When government backs them and gives our workforce a chance to shine, we know they'll deliver.'
Download
28 January
PHI 06/22 Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Rules (No. 1) 2022
The Department of Health said that the Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Rules (No. 1) 2022 (the Amendment Rules) make consequential changes to the Private Health Insurance Rules to reflect changes to Medical Benefit Schedule (MBS) commencing 1 March 2022. Further information on changes to the MBS for 1 March 2022, including fact sheets and quick reference guides is available at MBS Online. The Amendment Rules were registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 28 January 2022 and commence on 1 March 2022.
Download
What to do if you get COVID-19
The Department of Health said that it is important you know what you should do if you test positive for COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself and your family from getting really sick from COVID-19 is to get the COVID-19 vaccine and your booster when you are due. Don't wait - get your vaccine. It is important you know what you should do if you test positive for COVID-19. If you get a positive test result, you must isolate straight away. This means staying at home, and not having any family or friends come over to visit. If you live with other people, they will also need to isolate at home. Try to keep away from the people you live with as much as you can, to help avoid spreading the virus to them if they do not have it.
Download
Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine (COMIRNATY) provisionally approved for use as a booster in individuals aged 16-17 years old
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved the Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd COVID-19 vaccine, COMIRNATY, for use as a booster in individuals aged 16 and 17 years old. This decision follows the provisional approval granted by the TGA to Pfizer for the use of COMIRNATY as a booster in individuals 18 years and older on 26 October 2021. Booster doses of COMIRNATY in this age group have been approved for use in the US, Israel and the UK. Dosing in this age group is the same as the adult population - a booster dose of Comirnaty may be administered intramuscularly after the completion of a COVID-19 vaccine primary series (2 doses).
Download
Leaked QLD government plan
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) called a confidential proposal to expand the role of pharmacists in North Queensland a further attempt by the Queensland Government to undermine the role of General Practice and a risk to patient safety. AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid urged the Queensland Government to rethink the North Queensland Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot saying it involved serious conflicts of interest and would deliver second-rate health care. 'If this goes ahead, we will see pharmacists becoming de facto GPs, encouraged to diagnose and treat a range of potentially serious health conditions - including prescribing and dispensing a range of medicines despite a lack of training.'
Download
NAPSA Wildcard winner announced
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) congratulated Renee Buckland on winning the National Australian Pharmacy Students' Association (NAPSA) Wildcard Pharmacy Student of the Year (PSOTY) during the PSOTY Wildcard Final at NAPSA Congress. Ms Buckland, a 4 year Pharmacy Honours student from James Cook University, will go on to compete at the PSOTY National Final at PSA's annual ?flagship conference, PSA22, held in July. Sponsored by Viatris, the PSOTY award recognises and celebrates Australia's outstanding pharmacy students. The award showcases the knowledge, skills and abilities of select students to the broader pharmacy profession, whilst giving them the opportunity to apply, and be judged on, their counselling skills.
Download
Australians deserve fast access to the latest medicines, vaccines and treatments
Medicines Australia recommended the Australian Government delivers a plan to shorten the time that patients wait for access to the latest innovative medicines, vaccines and treatments. In its 2022-23 Pre-Budget Submission, Medicines Australia has asked for firm investment in healthcare and a commitment to improve our health system for all Australians. 'Australia's recovery from the COVID-19 crisis is going to rely on having a healthy population. We want Australians to live long, healthy lives and that can only be achieved through a reliable investment in healthcare and faster access to the latest innovative and breakthrough medicines,' said Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer.
Download
Return to top
Research
28 January
Research revealed approach to improve therapy for childhood cancer
A study led by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research has revealed a potential approach to improve outcomes for neuroblastoma, a rare but often aggressive cancer that is usually diagnosed in children under five years of age. The team identified three microRNAs, short molecules of genetic material that turn off genes, which sensitised neuroblastoma cells to chemotherapy while leaving normal cell types unharmed. If successful in further preclinical studies and clinical trials, these microRNAs may help make chemotherapy more effective for neuroblastoma patients.
Download
Return to top
Rural, Regional and Remote Health
28 January
Work begins on new youth hub for Cardinia Shire
Young people in the Cardinia Shire will soon have access to additional mental health support and services, with work underway on a new youth centre in Pakenham, Victoria. Minister for Health Greg Hunt, said the new three storey facility would replace the existing service, which was struggling to keep pace with demand. 'As the population of young people in Cardinia continues to increase, so too does the number of young people presenting with mental health concerns,' Minister Hunt said. 'Currently, the waiting list for generalist youth support is six to eight weeks, and young people are travelling more than 50 kilometres to access specialist services based in Dandenong.'
Download
A dose of good health for Durack
The Federal Government has invested more than $5 million to boost training opportunities in rural and remote Western Australia for up-and-coming nurses and allied health professionals. Minister for Regional Health David Gillespie and Member for Durack Melissa Price said the $5 million investment will boost student training in allied health and aged care careers and provide increased access to care for rural and remote patients in WA. 'I continue to work hard every day to improve access to high quality regional education. Opportunities like this Government investment is another great example and outcome for health care and aged care training and employment in Durack, through the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program,' Ms Price said.
Download
Return to top
Women's Health
None this edition.
Return to top
Transcripts
Minister For Finance Simon Birmingham
04 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Laura Jayes, Sky News Live, AM Agenda
Subjects: Aged care, WA borders, Aged care workers, Economy, Booster rollout, Omicron, Staff shortages, ADF, WA Premier, Health system
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
03 FEB: MORRISON: Transcript of Interview with Gareth Parker, 6PR
Subjects: Border reopening, Omnicron, Economic supports, COVID, Quarantine rules, Job security, National security, HomeBuilder scheme
Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt
03 FEB: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Canberra
Subjects: ATAGI, Boosters for 16-18 year olds, Supply of RATs, Aged care sector crisis, COVID-19, Vaccination rates, Prime Minister, Economy
Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt
03 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Natalie Barr & David Koch, Sunrise
Subjects: COVID-19, Vaccination rates, Boosters for youth, Public health, Hospitals, Novak Djokovic, Sport, Tennis
Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke
03 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Jim Wilson, 2GB Drive
Subjects: Working holiday makers, Students, Novak Djokovic, Immigration, Tourism sector, Border control, Omicron, Gladys Berejiklian
Minister for Defence Peter Dutton
03 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Ray Hadley, Radio 2GB-4BC
Subjects: PM's press club address, International borders, Refugees, Inflation, Economy, China, Indo-Pacific region, COVID-19, Defence
Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese
03 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Gareth Parker, 6PR Breakfast
Subjects: COVID-19, Pandemic, Public Health, Hospitals, PM, Cost of living, WA borders, State and international borders
Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese
03 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Karl Stefanovic & Allison Langdon, Today Show
Subjects: PM, COVID-19, Pademic, Public health, Vaccination rates, Cost of living, RAT's, PCR tests, Glasgow
Deputy Leader of the Opposition Richard Marles
03 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Tom Connell, Sky News
Subjects: National Reconstruction Fund, Plan for COVID-19 recovery, Commercialising science, PM, Small business support, Vaccination rules, Economy, Employment
Deputy Leader of the Opposition Richard Marles and Senator for Victoria Jess Walsh
03 FEB: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Box Hill
Subjects: Support for small business, PM, Hospitality trade, Businesses, Pandemic, Booster rollout, Child vaccination
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Catherine King, Deputy Opposition Whip in the Senate Malarndirri McCarthy, Member for Solomon Luke Gosling
03 FEB: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Darwin
Subjects: $7.5m investment in Casuarina Pool, Supply chain disruptions, COVID-19, Aged care, Julian Assange, Climate Change, Infrastructure upgrades, Remote communities
Shadow Minister For Education Tanya Plibersek
03 FEB: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Melbourne
Subjects: $440 million plan to help kids, COVID-19, Aged care neglect, Wages for aged care workers, School funding, Return to school, Vaccinations
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
02 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Ray Hadley, 2GB
Subjects: COVID-19, Omicron, Pandemic, Federal Opposition, USA, UK, South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, Funding, Economic security
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
02 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Sabra Lane, ABC AM
Subjects: COVID-19, Pandemic, Public health, Vaccination rates, Family, Strong economy, Hospitals, Unemployment, Jobs, Wages
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
02 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Allison Langdon, Today Show
Subjects: Gladys Berejikilian, Employment levels, Trade apprenticeships, Energy prices, Home Guarantee Scheme, Vaccination rollout, Inflation, Mental health support, AUKUS
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
02 FEB: Transcript of Interview with David Koch & Natalie Barr, Sunrise
Subjects: Gladys Berejiklian, Western Sydney Airport, Unemployment rate, Jobs, Trade training, Military, COVID-19, Vaccination
Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt
02 FEB: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Melbourne
Subjects: Children's medical research, RAT supply, Election, Cancer program, COVID, Vaccine rollout, Boosters, Leaked text messages, Elective surgeries, RAT price gouging
Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt
02 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Jim Wilson, 2GB Drive
Subjects: Public health, Aged care sector crisis, Aged care bonus payments, Employment, COVID-19, National Press Club, PM, Retention bonus, Royal Commission
Minister For Home Affairs Karen Andrews
02 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Neil Breen, 4BC
Subjects: Gladys Berejiklian, PM's character, COVID-19, COVID deaths, Vaccination rollout, Lockdowns, Violent extremism programs funding, QLD Govt anti-corruption body inquiry
Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert
02 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Richard King, 2HD Breakfast
Subjects: University Research Commercialisation Action Plan, Unemployment rate, Sovereign manufacturing, PM, COVID-19
Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert
02 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Patricia Karvelas, Radio National Canberra AM
Subjects: Economy, Employment, Jobs, PM, National Press Club, Wages, Pandemic management, COVID-19
Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert
02 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Graeme Goodings, 5AA Mornings
Subjects: Unemployment rate forecast, Job vacancies, Post-COVID economy, Path to full employment, Job training, Pandemic influence on economy
Minister For Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small And Family Business Stuart Robert
02 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Stephen Cenatiempo, 2CC Breakfast
Subjects: COVID-19, PM, National Press Club, Jobs, Employment, Manufacturing sector, University Research Commercialisation Action Plan, Aged Care sector
Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert
02 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Murray Jones, 4CA Cairns
Subjects: COVID-19, Pandemic, Unemployment rates, Jobs, Wages, University Research Commercialisation Action Plan, Education
Minister for Defence Peter Dutton
02 FEB: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Swartz Barracks, Oakey
Subjects: Health base facility opening and investment, Employment opportunities, ADF Personnel support, International partners
Assistant Minister to the Attorney-General, Assistant Minister for Industrial Relations and Assistant Minister for Women Amanda Stoker
02 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Steve Price, LiSTNR
Subjects: PM Press Club address, COVID, Economy, Unemployment, AAA credit rating, National debt, Small business recovery, Inflation
Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Philip Lowe
02 FEB : Speech by Governor, Phillip Lowe, to the National Press Club, Canberra - 'The Year Ahead'
Subjects: Monetary policy, Pandemic, COVID-19, Job growth, Low unemployment, SME's, USA, Productivity growth
Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese
02 FEB: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Sydney
Subjects: Education, Schools, Youth, COVID-19, Vaccination rates, Vaccinating children, Schools reopening, Wages, Cost of living, Future Made in Australia
Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese
02 FEB: Transcript of Interview with David Penberthy & Will Goodings, FIVEAA Breakfast
Subjects: School, Education, Youth, Children, COVID-19, Vaccinating kids, Schools reopening, Wages, Cost of living
Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese
02 FEB: Transcript of Interview with John Laws 2SM Mornings - Subjects: Newspoll, Federal election, Labor's policy agenda, Schools reopening, COVID-19, WA border closure, Kurri Kurri gas plant, Climate change
Deputy Leader of the Opposition Richard Marles
02 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Peter Stefanovic, Sky News First Edition
Subjects: PM, COVID-19, Pandemic, Public health, Cost of living, National security, Submarines, Economic mismanagement
Deputy Leader of the Opposition Richard Marles
02 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Tom Elliott, 3AW Melbourne Drive
Subjects: Gladys Berejiklian, COVID-19, Pandemic, Public health, PM, Cost of living, Economic mismanagement, Electric vehicles
Shadow Minister For Health And Ageing Mark Butler
02 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Patricia Karvelas, ABC RN Breakfast
Subjects: PM, COVID-19, Pandemic, Aged care sector crisis, Aged care residents & workers, Employment, Jobs, Wages
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
01 FEB: Transcript of Address to the National Press Club, Canberra
Subjects: Meeting the challenges of COVID-19, Economic indicators, Public Health, Regional Security, Credit Rating, Employment, Industry, Education
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
01 FEB: Transcript of Questions and Answers, National Press Club, Canberra
Subjects: Vaccination program, Pandemic preparedness, Federal Anti-Corruption Commission, Omicron, Accountability, Booster shots, Aged Care
Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert
01 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Lisa Millar, ABC News Breakfast
Subjects: Australia's Economic Accelerator, Aged Care, Prime Minister's Press Club Address, Investment in the Education sector
Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert
01 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Gareth Parker, 6PR Breakfast
Subjects: Australia's Economic Accelerator, PM's National Press Club Address, China, Manufacturing capabilities, RAT testing, COVID-19 mortality, Employment
Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud
01 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Steve Price, Triple M
Subjects: Rail line from Port Augusta to Kalgoorlie, Floods, Food shortages, National Coordination Mechanism, Emergency Management Australia, ADF, COVID, Newspoll
Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers
01 FEB: Transcript of Press Conference, Brisbane
Subjects: Federal Government, Prime Minister, RBA interest rates decision, Aged care crisis, Green hydrogen, Powering Australia policy
Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler
01 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Greg Jennett, ABC Afternoon Briefing
Subjects: Public health, COVID-19, Pandemic, Aged care sector crisis, Aged care workers, Wages, Employment, Retention bonus
Shadow Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Clare O'Neil
01 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Andy Park, ABC RN Drive
Subjects: Public health, Pandemic, COVID-19, Aged care sector crisis, Employment, Low wages, Bonus payments, Fair Work Commission, Retention payments
Shadow Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Clare O'Neil
01 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Nicole Chvastek, ABC Radio Statewide Drive
Subjects: COVID-19, Pandemic, Aged Care worker bonus, Aged care sector crisis, Workforce shortages, Wages, Aged Care Royal Commission
Shadow Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill Shorten
01 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Karl Stefanovic, Today Show
Subjects: Aged Care one-off payment announcement, Wages in Aged Care sector, Mortgage rates and cost of living pressures, Melbourne as sporting capital, School begins
Shadow Assistant Minister for Health and Ageing Ged Kearney
01 FEB: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Melbourne
Subjects: Vaccination rollout, Booster shots, Aged care sector crisis, Omicron variant, COVID-19, Public health, Pfizer, Astra-Zeneca, Moderna, Immunisation
Shadow Minister for Education Tanya Plibersek
01 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Richard Glover, ABC RN Drive
Subjects: Ash Barty, NSW and Fed Govt's response to COVID-19, Australia-Chinese relationship, Education sector, Australian Open, Sport
Senator for Queensland Nita Green
01 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Murray Jones, 4CA Breakfast
Subjects: Fed Opposition's plan to increase Australia's manufacturing capacity of medical supplies, Pandemic preparedness, PM's Great Barrier Reef announcement, Climate change
Shadow Minister for Northern Australia Murray Watt
01 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Paul Culliver, ABC Capricornia Breakfast
Subjects: Plan to boost medical manufacturing in Australia, Manufacturing in Central Queensland, Prime Minister, Aged care
Member for Cowan Dr Anne Aly
01 FEB: Transcript of Interview with Greg Jennett, ABC Afternoon Briefing
Subjects: PM, COVID-19, Public health, Vaccination rates, Vaccination mandates, Aged care sector crisis
Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham
31 JAN: Transcript of Interview with David Bevan, ABC 891 Adelaide Mornings
Subjects: SA flood support, Newspoll, Coober Pedy, Child vaccination, Pandemic management, Election campaign
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
31 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Michael Rowland, New Breakfast, ABC
Subjects: Omicron variant, Inflation, Household savings, COVID-19 Economic support, Availability of RATs
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
31 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Patricia Karvelas, RN, ABC Radio
Subjects: Inflation, Household savings, Omicron variant, COVID support payments, RATs, Election polling, Vaccination, Booster program
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
31 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Ross Stevenson & Russel Howcroft, 3AW
Subjects: Inflation, Household savings, Omicron variant, COVID support payments, RATs, Election polling, Housing affordability, Vaccines, Investment
Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert
31 JAN: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Mount Eliza
Subjects: Students returning to schools, Newspoll, COVID strategy in schools, RAT testing, Employment, Economic growth, JobTrainer, Education
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
31 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Neil Breen, 4BC
Subjects: Omicron variant, Inflation, Household savings, COVID-19 support payments, Economic recovery, Employment figures, Tourism
Senator for New South Wales Tim Ayres
31 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Monte Irvine, 2NZ Inverell
Subjects: Bundarra Ute Show, NSW Government's support for small businesses, Rapid Antigen Tests, Newspoll, Deputy Prime Minister
Shadow Minister of Housing and Homelessness Jason Clare
31 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Kieran Gilbert, Sky News Afternoon Agenda
Subjects: Newspoll, China, NSW support package for businesses, PCR test, RAT test, Federal elections
Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler
31JAN: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Adelaide
Subjects: Prime Minister, Aged care, Slow booster rollout, Safe return of students to school, Free RATs, Business support, Newspoll
Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation Ed Husic
31 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Steve Price, Australia Today
Subjects: Federal Government infighting, Federal performance on COVID response, Plan for Rapid Antigen Test (RATs) manufacture and distribution, Newspoll results
Shadow Assistant Minister for Western Australia Patrick Gorman
31 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Tom Connell, Sky News
Subjects: Newspoll results, Member for Mackellar Leadership Sportsbet odds, COVID-19, Housing Affordability, WA Premier, Prime Minister
Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham
30 JAN: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Leabrook, SA
Subjects: SA floods, Federal Opposition's rapid antigen test policy, Domestic manufacturing of medical products, NSW business support, Tensions in Ukraine
Return to top
Reports
Rapid Antigen Testing - Concessional Access Program fact sheet
Department of Health
The Australian government is introducing a temporary Rapid Antigen Test Concessional Access program. This new program starts on 24 January 2022 and ends on 30 April 2022. If you have a valid, eligible Commonwealth concession card, you can access up to 10 rapid antigen tests through participating community pharmacies, at no cost to you. You can access a maximum of 10 rapid antigen tests over the three-month period, but no more than 5 tests in any month. This temporary program enables eligible people to access rapid antigen tests, to be more confident engaging in your regular activities, while protecting yourself and others from COVID-19.
Download
Disability Support for Older Australians (DSOA) COVID-19 related expenses
Department of Health
The DSOA program may consider one-off funding for clients directly impacted by COVID- 19. Where clients have been impacted by COVID-19 after 1 January 2022, the Department of Health may consider requests for one-off funding to cover costs that have been incurred. Funding may be available if a DSOA client needs additional supports when:
- The client tested positive for COVID-19 and is required to isolate either in their own home or the supported independent living (SIL) home they reside;
- There is a COVID-19 outbreak in the SIL home the client resides in and the client is required to isolate
Download
PHI 07/22 Second-tier updates
Department of Health
Download
Australian Public Assessment Report for Bevacizum
Dept Of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Adding bevacizumab to chemotherapy prolongs survival in advanced colorectal cancer patients. Folfox or Xelox (capecitabine and oxaliplatin) is considered as a convenient first line treatment option for metastatic colorectal cancer patients. Combining doublet chemotherapy regimens with bevacizumab has been shown to improve progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer in both the first and second line settings.
Download
Consultation
Department of Health; National Medicines Policy
Published in 2000, Australia's National Medicines Policy (NMP) is a well established and universally endorsed framework that aims deliver positive health outcomes for all Australians through their access to, and appropriate use of, medicines. The NMP guides the range of activities encompassing medication management, access and affordability of medicines in Australia through a partnership approach between all sectors. The Review of the NMP (the Review) was commissioned by the Minister for Health, Greg Hunt in recognition of the substantial changes to the health landscape since the policy was published in 2000. The refreshed draft NMP continues to be a high-level policy framework.
Download
COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report
Dept Of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Vaccination against COVID-19 is the most effective way to reduce deaths and severe illness from infection. The protective benefits of vaccination continue to far outweigh the potential risks. Like all medicines, COVID-19 vaccines may cause some side effects. The most frequently reported include injection-site reactions (such as a sore arm) and more general symptoms, like headache, muscle pain, fever and chills. This reflects what was seen in the clinical trials.
Download
Tax Benchmarks and Variations Statement 2021
Treasury
The Tax Benchmarks and Variations Statement, referred to hereafter as 'the Statement', supplements other Government publications by providing information on Australian Government tax benchmark variations. The Statement provides annual information on Australian Government tax benchmarks and variations, as required by Section 16 of the Charter of Budget Honesty Act 1998. Revenue estimates published in budget papers and the taxation statistics made available by the Australian Taxation Office focus on incomes that are subject to tax and the revenue the Government collects.
Download
Harradine Reporting
Australian Commission on Safety & Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC)
Download
Report on Government Services 2022
Productivity Commission
Total Australian, State and Territory government recurrent expenditure on health services was estimated to be $122.2 billion for the most recent year of available data, around 40.6 per cent of total government expenditure on services covered in this Report. Public hospitals was the largest contributor ($76.7 billion (in 2019-20)), followed by primary and community health ($41.1 billion (in 2019-20), table 10A.1) and ambulance services ($4.4 billion (in 2020-21)). Expenditure for services for mental health was $10.4 billion in 2019-20. However, as much of this expenditure is already captured in the public hospital and primary community health expenditure it is not included in the health expenditure total to avoid double counting.
Download
Businesses flag training needs for COVID-19 recovery & growth - Upskilling and reskilling
National Centre For Vocational Education Research (NCVER)
As we learn to live with COVID-19, Australian businesses are looking at training their workforce to support financial recovery and post-pandemic growth. The new research Upskilling and reskilling: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on employers and their training choices released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) reports on how Australian employers have been affected by the pandemic and their current and future training requirements. The lockdowns and restrictions imposed from 2020 to mid-2021 to curb the spread of COVID-19 affected Australian business profoundly.
Download
Renewed call to lift gay blood ban as British Mad Cow ban reconsidered
Just Equal
Equality advocates are disappointed the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Service continues to ban gay men from blood donation despite Lifeblood's support for ending the ban on people who lived in the UK in the 1980s and 90s. A blood donor shortage due to the current Covid wave has prompted Lifeblood to ask Australia's blood regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, to lift the British ban that was put in place to prevent transmission of Mad Cow Disease. But gay and bisexual men, and some trans woman, are still prohibited from blood donation if they have had sex in the last three months, despite scientific evidence showing many are safe to donate.
Download
Optimal use of smoking cessation pharmacotherapy
Australian Prescriber, NPS Medicinewise
The most effective intervention for stopping smoking is a combination of professional counselling and pharmacotherapy. Medicines are recommended for all smokers who are motivated to quit and are nicotine dependent. Combination nicotine replacement therapy with a patch and an oral product is more effective than the patch alone. An adequate dose of nicotine must be used for an adequate duration. Varenicline is the most effective oral drug. It is safe in people with stable mental illness. Vaping nicotine is a second-line treatment which can be considered for smokers who are unable to quit with other methods.
Download
Pharmacological management of chronic non-cancer pain in frail older people
Australian Prescriber, NPS Medicinewise
Chronic non-cancer pain is a common problem among older people and has a significant impact on their quality of life. Medical comorbidities and polypharmacy are often additional challenges in managing these patients. Appropriate assessment of chronic non-cancer pain is important for the development of a patient-centred, goal-directed management plan. When assessing patients with cognitive impairment, modified communication strategies and validated pain assessment tools can be useful. The quantity and quality of the evidence supporting individual drugs in the management of chronic non-cancer pain varies and studies focused on frail older people are limited. Caution is generally advised when introducing drugs and escalating the doses.
Download
Home oxygen therapy
Australian Prescriber, NPS Medicinewise
Long-term home oxygen therapy improves survival in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and persistent, severe hypoxaemia. It is uncertain that this benefit extends to patients with other chronic lung diseases. Oxygen is a treatment for hypoxaemia, not breathlessness. To confirm hypoxaemia, blood gas analysis is recommended before prescribing oxygen. There is limited and conflicting evidence that portable oxygen for exertional use is of benefit to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who do not have severe hypoxaemia. Laboratory studies show improvements in exercise capacity and dyspnoea, but these do not translate into significant benefits in the home setting.
Download
Cluster headache in adults
Australian Prescriber, NPS Medicinewise
Cluster headache is characterised by attacks of very severe, unilateral headache lasting 15-180 minutes, up to eight times per day. The attacks are associated with cranial autonomic symptoms on the same side and a sense of agitation or restlessness. First-line acute abortive treatments include intranasal or subcutaneous sumatriptan or high-flow oxygen. Neuromodulation may benefit some patients. First-line preventive therapy is high-dose verapamil. Close monitoring is required for the adverse effect of arrhythmia. There are several emerging therapies that have either proven efficacy, or possible benefit for cluster headache. They include drugs aimed at the calcitonin gene-related peptide.
Download
Pre-Budget Submission (2022-23) - Aged Care Priorities
Catholic Health Australia (CHA)
Catholic Health Australia is calling on the Government to go beyond retention bonuses for aged care staff and use the upcoming Budget to slash training fees for would be workers and lift care subsidies to provide urgent relief in the Omicron-plagued sector. 'Although welcome, retention bonuses do not work in isolation,' CHA Chief Executive Officer Pat Garcia said. 'Catholic Health Australia has sent the government a suite of reforms that not only target the current COVID-19 crisis but also address the broader systemic issues the industry faces.
Download
Pre-Budget 2022-23 Submission
Rural Doctors Association Of Australia (RDAA)
Rural Australians continue to have poorer health outcomes than people in cities. Current and former policy settings have had variable success in addressing the health inequities that exist for rural people. Inadequate access to health professionals and services is a key aspect of this. The maldistribution of the medical workforce across the country and challenges, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, have made it more difficult to recruit and retain medical professionals in rural areas. RDAA has also identified additional ways in which access to medical professionals and services can be improved to better support the health rural Australians.
Download
VIC: Guidance for exemption from quarantine for specific workers who are close contacts
The Victorian Department of Health
As community transmission of COVID-19 continues throughout Victoria, critical service workers will increasingly become close contacts1 of confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases. In order to mitigate the risk to public health, close contacts are required to quarantine and undertake testing as mandated by the Pandemic (Quarantine, Isolation and Testing) Order and described in the Department of Health's COVID-19 Case, Contact and Outbreak Management Policy.
Download
Return to top
Hansards
Federal
01 FEB 2022: JOINT COMMITTEE HANSARD: Joint Standing Committee on The National Disability Insurance Scheme - Current scheme implementation and forecasting - Canberra
24 JAN 2022: SENATE COMMITTEE HANSARD: Community Affairs References Committee - General practitioner and related primary health services to outer metropolitan, rural and regional Australians - Launceston
Return to top
Court Cases
None this edition.
Return to top
New Regulations
Federal
Biosecurity (Emergency Requirements-Remote Communities) Determination (No. 3) 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00104
The Biosecurity (Emergency Requirements - Remote Communities) Determination (No. 3) 2022 (Determination) makes requirements (referred to as remote communities' requirements) to prevent or control the entry or spread of the listed human disease 'human coronavirus with pandemic potential' (COVID-19) in parts of Australian territory defined as designated areas. A designated area can be either a designated location or a designated zone. A designated location refers to a specified remote community, whereas a designated zone refers to boarder area which may encompass multiple remote communities. The designated areas are described in Schedules 1 and 2 to the Determination and are all located in the Northern Territory.
Explanatory Statement
Therapeutic Goods (Advisory Committee Meetings) (Information) Specification 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00100
The purpose of the Specification is to authorise the release of therapeutic goods information to the public about the matters considered by the relevant advisory committees, to support transparency and better inform the public about the role and nature of committee advice, and its context in the decisionmaking process for evaluating new therapeutic goods for marketing approval or for taking regulatory action from a post-market perspective.
Download
National Health (Highly Specialised Drugs Program) Special Arrangement Amendment (February Update) Instrument 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00094
This is the National Health (Highly Specialised Drugs Program) Special Arrangement Amendment (February Update) Instrument 2022 (PB 5 of 2022) (this Instrument). The purpose of this Instrument, made under subsection 100(2) of the Act, is to amend the National Health (Highly Specialised Drugs Program) Special Arrangement 2021 (PB 27 of 2021) (the Special Arrangement), to make changes to the Special Arrangement relating to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Amendment Instrument 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00091
The purpose of this legislative instrument, made under sections 84AF, 84AK, 85, 85A, 88 and 101 of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act), is to amend the National Health (Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Instrument 2012 (PB 71 of 2012) to make changes to the pharmaceutical benefits listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and related matters. PB 71 of 2012 determines the pharmaceutical benefits that are on the PBS through declarations of drugs and medicinal preparations, and determinations of forms, manners of administration and brands.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy) Special Arrangement Amendment Instrument 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00089
The purpose of this Instrument, made under subsection 100(2) of the Act, is to amend the National
Health (Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy) Special Arrangement 2011 (PB 79 of 2011) (the Special
Arrangement) to make changes relating to the Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy.
The Special Arrangement achieves greater efficiency in payment for the supply of injected or infused
chemotherapy medicines ('chemotherapy pharmaceutical benefits') to eligible patients being treated
for cancer, to reflect the 2010 Budget measure titled 'Revised arrangements for the efficient funding
of chemotherapy drugs'.
Explanatory Statement
Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Rules (No. 1) 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00080
The Amendment Rules make consequential amendments to the Benefit Requirements Rules and the Complying Product Rules to implement changes to the private health insurance clinical categorisation and procedure type classification of items of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) to reflect changes to MBS items that take effect from 1 March 2022.
Explanatory Statement
Northern Territory
02 FEB 2022: NT, DEPT OF HEALTH: CHO directions - Public and Environmental Health Act 2011 - COVID-19 Directions (No. 36) 2022: Amendment to COVID-19 Directions (No. 33) 2022
31 JAN 2022: NT, DEPT OF HEALTH: Public and Environmental Health Act 2011 - Section 52 - COVID-19 Directions (No. 35) 2022: Amendment of COVID-19 Directions (No. 131) 2021
31 JAN 2022: NT, DEPT OF HEALTH: Public and Environmental Health Act 2011 - Section 52 - COVID-19 Directions (No. 34) 2022: Amendment of COVID-19 Directions (No. 33) 2022
31 JAN 2022: WA, DEPT OF HEALTH: Emergency Management Act 2005 (WA) - Sections 67, 70 and 72A - COVID Transition (Border Requirements) Directions
31 JAN 2022: WA, DEPT OF HEALTH: Emergency Management Act 2005 (WA) - Sections 67, 70 and 72A - Outbreak outside of Western Australia Response Directions (No 21)
Queensland
28 JAN 2022: QLD, D'ATH: Public Health Act 2005 - Section 362B - Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction (No. 21)
Western Australia
31 JAN 2022: WA, DEPT OF HEALTH: Public Health Act 2016 (WA) - Sections 157(l)(e), 157(l)(k), 180 and 190(l)(p) - Court and Tribunal Worker (Restrictions on Access) Directions
29 JAN 2022: WA, PAPALIA: Emergency Management Act 2005 - Sections 67, 70 and 72A - Health Care Workers Directions
Return to top
Proclamations
None this edition.
Return to top
Gazette Notices
Victoria
03 FEB 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 05: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI - Pandemic COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Specified Facilities) Order 2022 (No. 3)
03 FEB 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 05: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI - Guidance for the Pandemic (Additional Industry Obligations) Order 2022 (No. 4)
03 FEB 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 05: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI - Pandemic (Additional Industry Obligations) Order 2022 (No. 4)
Return to top
Consolidated Legislation
Health Insurance (Section 3C Co-Dependent Pathology Services) Determination 2018
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00152
Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance (Section 3C Co-Dependent Pathology Services) Amendment Determination (No. 1) 2022
Download
Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2021
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00150
Regulations as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (2021 Measures No. 3) Regulations 2021
Download
Health Insurance (Accredited Pathology Laboratories - Approval) Principles 2017
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00149
Principles as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance (Accredited Pathology Laboratories-Approval) Amendment (Relevant Standards) Principles (No.2) 2021
Download
Health Insurance (Diagnostic Imaging Services Table) Regulations (No. 2) 2020
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00143
Regulations as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (2021 Measures No. 3) Regulations 2021
Download
Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - General Practice Attendance for Assessing Patient Suitability for a COVID-19 Vaccine) Determination 2021
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00141
Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - General Practice Attendance for Assessing Patient Suitability for a COVID-19 Vaccine) Amendment (No. 5) Determination 2021
Download
National Health (Continued Dispensing - Emergency Measures) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00142
Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Continued Dispensing - Emergency Measures) Amendment Determination 2021 (No. 12)
Download
Health Insurance (Section 3C Pathology Services - COVID-19) Determination 2020 Authoritative Version
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00139
Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Extension of Cessation Dates and Pathology COVID-19 Services Amendments) Determination 2021
Download
Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - Optometric Services) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00138
Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Telehealth Clinical Support Services) Determination 2021
Download
Health Insurance (Section 3C Midwife and Nurse Practitioner Services) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00136
Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Telehealth Clinical Support Services) Determination 2021
Download
Health Insurance (Pathology Services Table) Regulations 2020
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00125
Regulations as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (2021 Measures No. 3) Regulations 2021
Download
Return to top
New Bills
None this edition.
Return to top
New Acts
None this edition.
Return to top
|
|
