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Friday 19 March 2021

 

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)

18 March

SA: COVID-19 Update 18 March
There have been two new cases of COVID-19, both reported from a medi-hotel. There have been a total of 640 cases notified in South Australia, said the SA Department of Health. The cases include a woman in her 30s and a child, who both recently returned from overseas and have been in a medi-hotel since their arrival. The woman in her 30s is considered an old infection but has been added to SA's case numbers as she has not been diagnosed and counted overseas.
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TAS: Mandated use of Check in TAS for contact tracing
'As more contagious strains of the virus emerge - at the same time as people in Tasmania are moving and mixing much more freely - we must remain vigilant and ensure that we are ready to rapidly identify all contacts should a new case or outbreak emerge. The Director of Public Health has determined that, from 1 May 2021, the free Check in TAS app will be the only system used for collecting contact tracing information in Tasmania,' said Tasmanian Minister for Health Sarah Courtney.
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17 March

Australia supporting Papua New Guinea's COVID-19 response
The Australian Government has agreed to a request for assistance and will partner with Papua New Guinea on a comprehensive support package to help it respond to the crisis. This includes the earliest possible supply of 8,000 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from Australia's stock. It will enable vaccination of the country's essential health workforce, with an initial rollout for the National Capital District, said Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne, Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt, Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton and Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja.
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General Practices join the Phase 1B COVID-19 vaccine rollout
More than 1,000 general practices will join the COVID-19 vaccination program, further strengthening the Commonwealths capacity, and ensuring an efficient and equitable distribution of vaccines across the country. Services will come online from 22 March and progressively increase in number to more than 4,000 by the end of April - as part of Phase 1B of Australia's COVID-19 vaccine program, said Minister Hunt.
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AstraZeneca ChAdOx1-S COVID-19
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is closely reviewing reports of anaphylaxis after four cases were reported following the AstraZeneca ChAdOx1-S vaccine in the past 2 days in Queensland. Anaphylaxis is a form of allergic reaction. It is a very rare side effect that may occur with any vaccine. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice emphasises that people without a previous history of specific or severe allergy should be observed post vaccination for the recommended 15 minute period.
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COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report - 17-03-2021
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has been closely monitoring suspected side effects (also known as adverse events) from the use of COVID-19 vaccines since the national roll-out began on 22 February 2021. Gathering reports of suspected side effects following vaccination is just the first step in determining whether or not the effect is related to the vaccine and whether a significant safety issue is involved. Learn more about how the TGA identifies and responds to safety issues.
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Clarity needed on COVID-19 vaccine rollout process
General practices have been inundated with calls and online booking ahead of the beginning of the Phase 1b rollout of vaccines through GPs. 'Based on the volume of calls GPs have already received today, it's good to see that the community is confident and wants to access a COVID-19 vaccination,' AMA President, Dr Omar Khorshid, said. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) President, Dr Karen Price, said that general practice is the backbone of vaccination arrangements in Australia, but not enough had been done by the Government to communicate with patients about the rollout process.
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Australian Red Cross welcomes emergency COVID-19 package for PNG
Australian Red Cross welcomes the Australian Government's moves to send critical medical equipment, medical staff and 8,000 vaccine doses from Australia's domestic vaccines stocks to Papua New Guinea A further move to request the re-allocation of one million vaccines is also an important sign of leadership and solidarity in their time of great need. This immediate assistance is vital for Papua New Guinea to get on top of the current crisis, while continued long-term support is also needed to strengthen the country's healthcare capacity to deal with COVID-19 and other diseases.
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SA: COVID-19 Update 17 March
There have been two new cases of COVID-19, all reported from a medi-hotel. There have been a total of 638 cases notified in South Australia. The cases include a man in his 30s and a child, who both recently returned from overseas and have been in a medi-hotel since their arrival. SA Health is continuing to monitor COVID-19 in New South Wales and Queensland.
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TAS: Vaccinating Tasmanians
'Tasmanians have done a brilliant job working together to help keep on top of COVID and can be reassured that when a GP practice or State Clinic is ready to take bookings, you will know either through your GP or through Tasmanian Government communications. Unfortunately, incorrect information about participating GP clinics has been released today which has led to unnecessary frustration for both patients and our GPs,' said Tasmanian Minister Courtney.
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WA: Anaphylactic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines in Western Australia
Information has come to light about four cases of people potentially experiencing anaphylactic reactions (severe allergic reaction) within 30 minutes of receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine in Queensland, which have been reported to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), said Western Australia's Chief Health Officer. Since commencing the COVID vaccination program, the WA Vaccine Safety Advisory Committee has received reports of two individuals treated with adrenaline for an allergic reaction following COVID vaccination - one after receipt of the Pfizer vaccine and one after AstraZeneca vaccine.
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16 March

Fed Government remains confident in AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine & currently no evidence that it causes blood clots
The Chief Medical Officer said that the Australian Government remains confident in the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and there is currently no evidence that it causes blood clots. Some further European countries are pausing the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine due to reports of blood clots in people who have been vaccinated. While the European Medicines Agency is investigating these events, it has reinforced its view that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is successful in protecting against COVID-19, and should continue to be used in the rollout.
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AstraZeneca ChAdOx1-S COVID-19 vaccine
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said it is aware that some additional European countries have paused vaccination with the AstraZeneca ChAdOx1-S COVID-19 vaccine in response to reports of blood clots in vaccinated individuals. The European Medicines Agency (link is external) (EMA) continues to investigate the issue and EMA remains of the view that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing COVID-19, with its associated risk of hospitalisation and death, outweigh the risks of side effects. The EMA's safety (Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment) committee will meet on Thursday to determine the outcome of its investigation.
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'Clear and present danger' gets vague and slow response
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Shadow Minister for International Development Pat Conroy said that the Government must speed up and step up the support it is providing to Papua New Guinea, given the 'clear and present danger' the growing COVID-19 crisis there presents. Labor is calling on the Morrison Government to provide the following assistance as soon as possible:
- Fast-tracking the vaccine rollout including providing enough vaccines so that every frontline health worker in Papua New Guinea is vaccinated
- As much Personal Protective Equipment as the Papua New Guinean Government needs
- More rapid testing kits to boost testing rates
- Increased health infrastructure to help with testing and vaccination
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WA: COVID-19 update 16 March 2021
The WA Department of Health has reported one new case of COVID-19. The new case is a female in her 40s who has returned from overseas travel and is currently in hotel quarantine. The State's total number of confirmed cases now stands at 926. WA Health is monitoring 10 active cases of COVID-19 and 907 people have recovered from the virus in WA. There have been 907,365 COVID-19 tests performed in WA. Of those, 132,520 were from regional WA. To date, 31 cases of variant strains have been detected in Western Australia (23 of the B.1.1.7 strain and 8 of the B.1.351 strain).
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15 March

Over $1.1 billion to extend Australia's COVID-19 health response
The Government will invest more than $1.1 billion to extend the successful national COVID-19 health response and suppression strategy until 31 December 2021. Australia is leading the world out of the global COVID-19 pandemic and recession. As COVID-19 vaccines roll out across the nation, protecting Australians from the ongoing threats of the pandemic remains a priority. This $1.1 billion is in addition to more than $22 billion spent in these areas to date, including more than $6 billion to support the COVID-19 vaccine roll out. Australia's suppression strategy has been extremely successful to date, said Prime Minister Morrison.
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ACT: COVID-19 exposure sites in New South Wales
The ACT Department of Health said that there are no new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the ACT in the past 24 hours, bringing the ACT's total to 123. There are five (5) active cases in the ACT, all in hotel quarantine. A total of 115 cases have recovered from COVID-19 in the ACT. There are no COVID-19 patients in Canberra hospitals. The ACT has recorded three (3) deaths. The number of negative tests recorded in the ACT is now 179,432 with 368 tests in the past 24 hours*. As at 11.59pm Friday 12 March 2021 the total number of COVID-19 vaccinations administered by the ACT Government in the ACT is 3,360**.
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14 March

NSW: Public health alert - Venues and public transport
NSW Health was notified of a new case of COVID-19 in a security guard who has been working within the hotel quarantine system, and who is now in isolation. All four household contacts of this case have so far tested negative for COVID-19. They will self-isolate for 14 days. NSW Health has been notified of a number of venues and public transport routes which have been visited by the confirmed case. Anyone who visited any of the following venues at the listed times are close contacts who should immediately be tested and isolate for 14 days.
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TAS: COVID-19 vaccinations ready to begin in Tasmania's North and North West
The Tasmanian Government's number one priority is the health, safety and wellbeing of all Tasmanians. The rollout of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program reaches a very important milestone, with vaccinations set to start at the Launceston General Hospital and the North West Regional Hospital in Burnie. Both clinics expect to conduct approximately 1170 vaccinations each in the first week of operation. Tasmanian Minister Courtney was very pleased to talk to staff here at the LGH, and see the COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic set up and ready to go.
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12 March

Urgent step up in COVID support for Papua New Guinea needed
'The Government needs to provide urgent and comprehensive assistance to Papua New Guinea, which is grappling with a severe COVID- 19 outbreak,' said Shadow Minister Wong and Shadow Minister Conroy. 'So far this month our Pacific neighbour has recorded 376 new coronavirus cases, however due to low testing rates this number could be much higher. Yet again the Government is behind the eight ball when it comes to stepping up in the Pacific.'
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Aged Care

18 March

LASA calls for major Government action on aged care, with forecast losses to increase to 65 per cent
Leading Age Services Australia (LASA), the voice of aged care, is calling for major Government moves on residential and home care, with predictions up to 65 per cent of age care homes will record operating losses in the next financial year, putting quality care for older Australians at greater risk. The latest independent StewartBrown report says 58 per cent of homes surveyed were operating at a loss in the first six months of this financial year, with an average operating deficit of almost $2,750 per bed per annum.
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17 March

Australians encouraged to pursue aged care opportunities
The Government has welcomed the launch of a new campaign encouraging Australians to consider jobs in aged care. The campaign, 'Bring your Thing', commissioned by the Aged Care Workforce Industry Council, highlights the diverse range of skills and professions employed in aged care, including chefs, hair stylists, maintenance workers, and social coordinators. Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck said he hoped more Australians will consider a career in aged care.
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Additional investment in respite services for older Australians from diverse backgrounds welcomed
Carers Australia has welcomed the Government's $9.6 million investment into tailored respite care for culturally and linguistically diverse seniors. These centre-based respite services will give older Australians the opportunity to participate in social group activities with other members of their community and access information on other supports they may need. It is estimated that between 25 and 30% of all unpaid carers in Australia are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and a very large proportion of these will be carers of the aged.
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New Aged Care Home Support funding welcomed
FECCA has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck that the Federal Government will provide an additional $9.67 million in funding per year over two years for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). This funding will support the delivery of respite services for older Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds at 40 aged care and disability care providers.
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16 March

Aged care respite services bolstered for culturally diverse groups
Older Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse communities across the country are set to access more tailored respite care. The Government will fund an additional $9.67 million per year over two years through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). Minister Colbeck, said the funding would support culturally and linguistically diverse senior Australians to live independently and safely in their own homes and local communities, and provide respite for carers. 'Forty aged and disability care providers will deliver the additional centre-based respite services to older Australians from multicultural communities, including those from Chinese, Italian, Greek, Polish, Russian and Indian backgrounds, to name a few,' Minister Colbeck said.
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Dementia seen but not yet heard
People living with dementia have yet to hear from the Federal Government that dementia will be a core focus of the reform of the aged care system. At a Parliamentary Friends of Dementia event in Parliament House, Canberra, Maree McCabe, CEO Dementia Australia, called on all parliamentarians to elevate dementia as a priority when addressing the recommendations in the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety's Final Report. 'With 472,00 Australians living with dementia, 70 per cent of them living in the community and of those in residential aged care 70 per cent having a moderate to severe form of cognitive impairment, there needs to be a significant commitment to dementia care made by the Federal Government in words and in action,' Ms McCabe said.
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Government COVID-19 policy putting Australian lives at risk
'Our Government is leaving poorer countries without sufficient vaccines and ignoring the fact that COVID-19 is a global crisis, not a country problem,' said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society. 'This lack of concern by our government about COVID- 19 in poorer countries is a disaster waiting to happen. Mutations are already occurring with the risk of more virulent and resistant variants emerging, especially in countries where infection rates are high. These dangerous strains could spread to us and the rest of the world. This virus does not respect borders or wealth.' said Dr Woodruff.
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15 March

Aged care nurses and carers converge on Parliament House
A delegation of aged care workers from across Australia will converge on Parliament House, Canberra calling on the country's political decision-makers to use the upcoming Federal Budget to urgently reform the understaffed and under-resourced aged care sector. The 25-strong delegation from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) and the United Workers Union (UWU) includes registered nurses, enrolled nurses and personal care workers concerned that elderly Australians living in nursing homes need action from Government now on critical reforms to get the safe, quality care they need and deserve.
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Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

None this edition.

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Allied Health

None this edition.

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Children's Health

18 March

Community organisations welcome the Senate Inquiry report into FASD
The final report from the Senate Community Affairs References Committee into Effective approaches to prevention and diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) was handed down. The report included 32 recommendations covering the prevention, diagnosis, and management of FASD. The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) and National Organisation of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (NOFASD) welcome the report and its recommendations.
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Clinical Governance

18 March

Medical professionals call for emissions reduction in healthcare
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) and Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) are calling on the Australian healthcare sector to reduce its carbon emissions to net zero by 2040, with an interim emission reduction target of 80 per cent by 2030. Climate change is a health emergency and the Australian healthcare sector is part of the problem - contributing about 7 per cent to Australia's national carbon emission footprint. A key recommendation is for the Australian Government to establish a national sustainability unit for healthcare to reach the net zero emissions by 2040.
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17 March

General Practices join the Phase 1B COVID-19 vaccine rollout
More than 1,000 general practices will join the COVID-19 vaccination program, further strengthening the Commonwealths capacity, and ensuring an efficient and equitable distribution of vaccines across the country. Services will come online from 22 March and progressively increase in number to more than 4,000 by the end of April - as part of Phase 1B of Australia's COVID-19 vaccine program, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt.
Download

Clarity needed on COVID-19 vaccine rollout process
General practices have been inundated with calls and online booking ahead of the beginning of the Phase 1b rollout of vaccines through GPs. 'Based on the volume of calls GPs have already received today, it's good to see that the community is confident and wants to access a COVID-19 vaccination,' AMA President, Dr Omar Khorshid, said. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) President, Dr Karen Price, said that general practice is the backbone of vaccination arrangements in Australia, but not enough had been done by the Government to communicate with patients about the rollout process.
Download

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Construction and Health Infrastructure

None this edition.

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Dental

18 March

VIC: World Oral Health Day - Time to prioritise oral health and stop the neglect in aged care
On World Oral Health Day on 20 March, dental health professionals around the world are asking people to be proud of their mouth. The Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch is calling on the Federal Government to establish a Seniors Dental Benefits Scheme as a matter of urgency, so that older Australians and those living in residential aged care can be proud of their mouth too.
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Disabilities

17 March

Jacqui Lambie and Labor vote to keep northern Tasmanians out of the NDIS
People of Burnie, Devonport and Launceston have every right to be outraged after Senator Jacqui Lambie voted with Labor on a motion in the Senate to oppose reforms that will deliver a simpler, fairer and more consistent National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The reforms to the NDIS deliver on the final elements of the Productivity Commission's original design for the Scheme and are based on recommendations from reviews and inquiries, including the 2019 Independent Review of the NDIS Act, said Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Stuart Robert.
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Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

None this edition.

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E-Health

None this edition.

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Education and Training

None this edition.

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Funding

16 March

$10 million for National Mental Health Research Centre
A national network of leading mental health researchers will work with more than 2000 people living with mental illness to deliver better models of mental health care across Australia, thanks to the Government. Funded by $10 million from the National Health and Medical Research Council's Special Initiative in Mental Health, the new national centre, called ALIVE, will help to lead a generational shift in mental health care research. Minister for Health Greg Hunt, said the centre will use research to rethink models of mental health care and the way they are delivered, to find a national solution to a national problem.
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Medibank and doctors form new short-stay no-gap hospital joint venture
Medibank and more than 40 specialist doctors have formed a joint venture to develop a new short-stay, no-gap surgical facility in Melbourne. The joint venture will give patients more choice in how their care is delivered across a range of surgery types. Medibank Group Executive Healthcare & Strategy Dr Andrew Wilson said the investment demonstrates Medibank's commitment to putting patients at the centre of treatment, supporting healthcare providers to improve patient experience. The facility is planned to offer four operating theatres and a procedure room, 30 beds, radiology, an infusion (chemo) clinic and 90 basement car parking spaces.
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Health Professionals

16 March

Senate supports Greens motion calling for a National Strategy on Climate Change, Health and Wellbeing
The Senate has recognised that the climate crisis is the greatest threat to health this century. 'The fact is, the climate crisis is a health emergency,' Greens spokesperson on Health Senator Rachel Siewert said. 'In Parliament today there are over 30 health leaders, including two former chief state health officers, calling for a National Strategy on Climate Change, Health and Wellbeing. We urgently need a National Strategy on Climate Change, Health and Wellbeing to protect our community and our future generations.'
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15 March

QLD: Experts cast shade at anti-sunscreen claims
The Queensland Department of Health said that skin specialists are urging people to heed the sun safety advice of experts, not ill-informed social media feeds that have the potential to harm vulnerable Queenslanders. Dermatologists like Associate Professor Erin McMeniman said that false claims about sunscreen have no place in a state like Queensland, which has the highest rate of melanoma in the world. 'There are a lot of myths about sunscreen being shared and some of them are dangerous,' said Assoc Prof McMeniman, who works at Princess Alexandra Hospital and UQ School of Medicine.
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Hospitals

17 March

VIC: Sunshine Hospital's new emergency department opens
The Government's expansion of Sunshine Hospital's emergency department is complete, giving families in Melbourne's western suburbs faster access to world-class healthcare. Victorian Acting Premier James Merlino and Minister for Health Martin Foley officially opened the new $34.9 million emergency department at Sunshine Hospital and met some of the first patients. The refurbishment of Sunshine Hospital's existing emergency department is now underway and is expected to be completed by the middle of the year. This will provide 10 additional beds, a new resuscitation area and Behaviour Assessment Unit.
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Insurance

17 March

LCCC finds 100 per cent life insurance code compliance on medical definitions
The Financial Services Council (FSC) welcomed the Life Code Compliance Committee's (LCCC) findings that 100 per cent of Life Insurers issuing policies in Australia have met the Life Insurance Code of Practice requirements on medical definitions. The LCCC undertook an Own Motion Inquiry (OMI) into how Life Code subscribers are meeting the Code's requirements on the review of medical definitions. FSC CEO Sally Loane said: 'We are very pleased with this excellent level of compliance with reviewing and updating medical definitions, as required by the Code.'
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Medicare

None this edition.

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Men's Health

None this edition.

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Mental Health

17 March

$15 million for development of innovative therapies for mental illness
It is estimated four million Australians experience a mental health disorder ever year, and almost half of all Australians will be affected at some point in their lifetime. The most prevalent mental illnesses are anxiety disorders - affecting more than 14 per cent of adults each year - depression and substance abuse disorders. Evidence also suggests that up to 12 per cent of Australians experience PTSD during their lifetime Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt said the Government's MRFF is helping ensure that Australia's medical research sector remains at the forefront of global innovation.
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First public hearing for mental health inquiry
The House Select Committee on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention is commencing public hearings with the first taking place in Canberra on 18 March 2021. The Committee will hear from the Productivity Commission, the National Mental Health Commission and the Department of Health on current mental health and suicide prevention strategies grounded by the extensive research these organisations have already undertaken.
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16 March

$10 million for National Mental Health Research Centre
A national network of leading mental health researchers will work with more than 2000 people living with mental illness to deliver better models of mental health care across Australia, thanks to the Government. Funded by $10 million from the National Health and Medical Research Council's Special Initiative in Mental Health, the new national centre, called ALIVE, will help to lead a generational shift in mental health care research. Minister Hunt, said the centre will use research to rethink models of mental health care and the way they are delivered, to find a national solution to a national problem.
Download

ALIVE - a new era of lived experience at the centre of mental health research and reform
Mental Health Australia has welcomed the announcement of ALIVE, a new national Academy of LIVed Experience, which will put expertise gained from the lived experience of people with mental ill-health at the heart of mental health research, with a view to improving Australia's mental health landscape. A $10 million Australian Government investment launched, ALIVE will enable collaborations with researchers across population health, primary care, and community and hospital-based specialist care settings to embed the expertise of those with lived experience as part of their research co-design.
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TAS: Breaking ground on the Peacock Centre redevelopment
Tasmanian Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Jeremy Rockliff said that building works have officially begun on the Peacock Centre redevelopment as part of the Tasmanian Government's plan to build a better mental health system. The $9.6 million project is a key commitment to deliver integration hubs under the Tasmanian Mental Health Reform Program. The new Peacock Centre will provide integrated and community-based mental health care, bringing together a range of care and services under one roof to support people with their recovery.
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13 March

VIC: Delivering new mental health jobs and support across Victoria
The Victorian Government is making sure mental health workers across Victoria get the support and training they need - delivering new jobs and creating scholarships for more mental health nurses. Victorian Minister for Mental Health James Merlino opened applications for the new Postgraduate Mental Health Nurses Scholarships and marked the delivery of the first installment of the mental health workforce reforms which will address critical workforce shortages in the sector and boost mental health support for all Victorians. The new jobs and reforms were funded as part of a $235 million Recovery Workforce package following recommendation by the Interim Report of the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System.
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System

None this edition.

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Pharmaceuticals and Regulation

17 March

AstraZeneca ChAdOx1-S COVID-19
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is closely reviewing reports of anaphylaxis after four cases were reported following the AstraZeneca ChAdOx1-S vaccine in the past 2 days in Queensland. Anaphylaxis is a form of allergic reaction. It is a very rare side effect that may occur with any vaccine. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice emphasises that people without a previous history of specific or severe allergy should be observed post vaccination for the recommended 15 minute period.
Download

COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report - 17-03-2021
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has been closely monitoring suspected side effects (also known as adverse events) from the use of COVID-19 vaccines since the national roll-out began on 22 February 2021. Gathering reports of suspected side effects following vaccination is just the first step in determining whether or not the effect is related to the vaccine and whether a significant safety issue is involved. Learn more about how the TGA identifies and responds to safety issues.
Download

Medicines reconciliation toolkit
A medicines reconciliation toolkit to help pharmacists improve patient safety has been released by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). FIP says the toolkit also contributes to the World Health Organisation's (WHO's) third Global Patient Safety Challenge - Medication without harm - which lists care transitions as one of three priority areas that need effective action to protect patients. Transitions of care (such as admission to a healthcare facility, transfer between settings within a facility and at discharge, and also across different prescribers in community settings) can potentially lead to patient harm due to unintentional changes in medication or poor communication, said the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.
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NSW: New date for Pharmacy Connect
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, NSW Branch, has announced the date for this year's Pharmacy Connect has changed from August to 2-4 September 2021. Being held at the Hilton in Sydney's CBD, the event will be open to Federal Grant funding for attendees. The grant, which is available through Austrade, is part of a $50 million initiative launched by the Federal Government to back business meetings and conventions across Australia to support post-COVID economic recovery. To be eligible for the funding, delegates or exhibitors must spend at least $20,000 to get as much as 50 per cent returned.
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12 March

Australians deserve faster access to new medicines
MSD will appear at one of the first hearings for the Parliamentary Inquiry into approval processes for new drugs and novel medical technologies in MSD Australia made a submission to this Parliamentary Inquiry in October 2020 and strongly believes this Inquiry represents a real opportunity for government and industry to do more for Australian patients by working together to solve on-going access delays to medicines.
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Research

17 March

Notification of Application
The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has received a licence application (DIR 181) from Novotech (Australia) Pty Limited to conduct a clinical trial of a genetically modified (GM) Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) as a gene therapy treatment for patients with cystic fibrosis. The clinical trial is proposed to take place at hospitals within Australia over a period of up to five years. Up to 15 cystic fibrosis patients would receive one of three courses of treatment with the GMO, with the aim of evaluating the safety and efficacy of the treatment.
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15 March

Social determinants of health vital to closing the gap success
If Closing the Gap in health is ever to succeed, focus must shift to building health care relationships and partnerships that optimise care for every Indigenous patient, according to the authors of a Perspective published by the Medical Journal of Australia. Dr Talila Milroy, Academic Registrar at the University of Western Australia, and Associate Professor Lilon Bandler, Principal Research Fellow at the Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education Network at the University of Melbourne, wrote that the flaw in the Closing the Gap health policy was that 'the assumption that a homogenous approach, unaccompanied by deep, meaningful engagement with Indigenous people, communities, and health care services would be sufficient.'
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Prostatectomy twice as likely as radiotherapy for prostate cancer
Health policies regarding the treatment of prostate cancer should be re-examined to provide greater patient choice after a study found men in New South Wales aged 45 years or more with prostate cancer were twice as likely to undergo radical prostatectomy as external beam radiotherapy, and few had consulted radiation oncologists prior to surgery. Published in the Medical Journal of Australia, the study analysed data from 4003 NSW men aged 45 years or more enrolled in the population-based 45 and Up Study and in whom prostate cancer was first diagnosed during 2006-2013.
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Dementia prevention action plan needed now
Dementia Prevention needs to be Australia's next public health area of focus, as the nation heads towards a projected number of one million people with dementia by 2056, according to the authors of a Perspective published by the Medical Journal of Australia. Dr Terence Chong, psychiatrist and Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne, and his coauthors (including the National Health and Medical Research Council National Institute for Dementia Research Prevention Special Interest Group) are advocating for 'substantial, timely, and sustained investment in dementia prevention'.
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Implementation of voluntary assisted dying
Implementing voluntary assisted dying (VAD) legislation within a health service demands respectful communication and collaboration between health professionals and community, according to the authors of a Perspective published by the Medical Journal of Australia. '[We] used policies and guidelines suggested by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and shared documents from other metropolitan tertiary hospitals as a basis for developing local policies and procedures,' Booth and colleagues wrote.
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Rural, Regional and Remote Health

18 March

Closing the Gap vital to ensure health equity
The disparities between the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians continue to fall by the wayside and closing the gap is vital to ensure health equity in this country, AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid said. On National Close the Gap Day, the AMA encourages all Australians to take meaningful action in support of achieving health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by 2032.
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17 March

New doctor training scheme to boost bush GP numbers by 400
Up to 400 general practitioners will train to work in regional Australia over the next four years, with the establishment of the Federal government's Rural Generalist Training Scheme (RGTS) to boost doctor numbers in the bush. The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) will deliver the government-funded $49.7 million program, with ACRRM providing up to 100 Rural Generalist GP training places each year. Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton said the end goal of the RGTS was for patients to have increased access to primary health services in rural and remote communities.
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Women's Health

18 March

Rural maternity services in Australia
Maternity services are seen by many rural people as essential to their community. When these services are threatened community concern is high, other rural health services may also be placed at risk and the broader range of community businesses, services and local employment may also be negatively impacted. RDAA does not support the unwarranted closure or downgrading of rural maternity services.
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First Nations women left behind in cervical cancer elimination
Australia is tracking to become one of the first countries to eliminate cervical cancer, but Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women will without urgent action to change this, according to a new study from The Australian National University (ANU) and Cancer Council New South Wales (CCNSW). Lead researchers, Associate Professor Lisa Whop (ANU) and Dr Megan Smith (CCNSW) and colleagues are calling for inequities to be addressed.
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17 March

TAS: Gender stigma needs to be removed to lead to better diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis throughout Australia
The gender stigma associated with the chronic and painful disease endometriosis needs to be broken down to lead to more accurate diagnosis and better treatment of women afflicted with the condition. Tasmanian Shadow Minister for Women Michelle O'Byrne said Endometriosis Awareness Month presented governments across the nation as well as the medical community with an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the disease and serious issues around diagnosis and treatment.
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Transcripts

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
19 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Michael Rowland, ABC News Breakfast
Subjects: Vaccine rollout, AstraZeneca vaccine, Unemployment rate, JobKeeper, Parliament House culture

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
19 MAR: Transcript of Interview with David Koch, Sunrise
Subjects: COVID-19 vaccine rollout, AstraZeneca vaccine, Job figures, Reserve Bank of Australia

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
19 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon, Today Show
Subjects: Vaccine rollout, AstraZeneca vaccine, Unemployment rate, JobKeeper, AFL fans return

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt
19 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Peter Stefanovic, Sky News First Edition
Subjects: AstraZeneca vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine rollout, TGA, International borders, New South Wales Premier, General practices

Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Stuart Robert
19 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Ben Fordham, 2GB
Subjects: Veterans' National Commissioner, Australian Defence Force, Veteran suicides, NDIS, Disability services, Funding

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt
18 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Sabra Lane, ABC AM
Subjects: COVID vaccine booking system, Vaccine rollout, Website problems, Vaccine clinics, TGA, AstraZeneca, Europe

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt and Deputy Chief Medical Officer
18 MAR: Transcript of Press Conference, Canberra
Subjects: COVID-19, Vaccine distribution & rollout, Containment, State border closures, Travel restrictions, Aged care

Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Stuart Robert
18 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Leon Compton, ABC Radio Hobart
Subjects: NDIS reforms, Disability services, Social services, Independent assessments, Allied health

Department of Health
18 MAR: Transcript of Deputy Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd's Interview with Raf Epstein, ABC Radio
Subjects: Vaccine rollout, COVID-19, Immunisation, AstraZeneca, TGA

Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler
18 MAR: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Parliament House, Canberra
Subjects: Vaccine rollout, COVID-19, Immunisation, Minister for Health, Papua New Guinea COVID crisis, Constitutional voice to Parliament for Indigenous Australians

Shadow Minister for Women Tanya Plibersek
18 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Allison Langdon & Chris Smith, Today Show
Subjects: Vaccine chaos, Research, Consent app, GP clinic staff, Aged care, AstraZeneca, Europe, NSW

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne and the Department of Health
17 MAR: Transcript of Press Conference with Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, Australian Parliament House
Subjects: COVID-19, Vaccines, PNG, Health workers, AstraZeneca, European Union, Hospitals

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack
17 MAR: Transcript of Press Conference, Move To More Campaign Launch
Subjects: Regional Australia, NBN, COVID-19, Health, Employment, Regional stakeholders

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt
17 MAR: Transcript of Press Conference, Canberra
Subjects: Vaccination rollout in Australia, Phase 1B, COVID-19, GP vaccination clinics, Public health, Aged care

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt
17 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Jim Wilson, 2GB
Subjects: Vaccine rollout phase 1A, COVID-19 outbreak in PNG, Frontline workers, Health workers, AstraZeneca vaccine concerns, TGA investigation, World Health Organisation

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt
17 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Neil Mitchell, 3AW Mornings
Subjects: COVID-19, Health, Vaccine rollout, PNG, Immunisations, Testing, GP, AstraZeneca, Pfizer

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt and the Department of Health
17 MAR: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Canberra
Subjects: TGA, AstraZeneca, Vaccine rollout, Aged care, Quarantine, Anaphylaxis

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention David Coleman
17 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Ben Fordham, 2GB
Subjects: Drugs, Mental illness, US Food and Drug Administration, TGA, Treatments, Mental health, Suicide prevention

Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja
17 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Laura Jayes, News AM Agenda
Subjects: PNG infection rate, Coronavirus, Vaccine rollout, COVAX, Europe

Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja
17 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Stephen Dziedzic, ABC News
Subjects: AstraZeneca vaccine, Vaccine rollout, PNG, Pacific region

Minister for Home Affairs Alex Hawke
17 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Tom Connell, Sky News
Subjects: Coronavirus, Immigration, Visas, Labour, International students, Vaccine rollout, New Zealand

Liberal Member for North Sydney Trent Zimmerman and Labor Member For Wills Peter Khalil
17 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Tom Connell, Sky News
Subjects: AstraZeneca, COVID-19 in PNG, Electric Vehicles, Deputy Leader of the Nationals, TGA, World Health Organization, Vaccination program

The Department of Health and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
17 MAR: Transcript of Adjunct Professor, John Skerritt's, Interview with Natalie Barr, Sunrise
Subjects: AstraZeneca, UK, Europe, European Medicines Agency, Vaccines

The Department of Health and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
17 MAR: Transcript of Adjunct Professor, John Skerritt's, Interview with Karl Stefanovic & Allison Langdon, Today Show
Subjects: Vaccine rollout, COVID-19, Europe, UK

Pharmacy Guild of Australia
17 MAR: Opinion Piece by Executive Director, Suzanne Greenwood - 'Every minute counts'
Subjects: Cardiac arrests, Survival rate, Automated external defibrillator, Regional health, Hospitals

Australian Medical Association (AMA)
17 MAR: Transcript of Interview by Vice President, Dr Chris Moy, with David Bevan, ABC Radio Adelaide
Subjects: Healthdirect eligibility checker, Flu season, Vaccine rollout, Frontline staff

Leader of the Australian Labor Party Anthony Albanese
17 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Fran Kelly, ABC RN
Subjects: Workplace culture in Parliament House, Bullying and harassment, Historic rape allegations, Federal Attorney-General, Vaccine rollout, AstraZeneca vaccine

Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler
17 MAR: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Parliament House, Canberra
Subjects: PNG COVID-19 support, AstraZeneca concerns, Vaccine allergic reaction, Online booking system chaos, Vaccine rollout, TGA

The Department of Health and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
16 MAR: Transcript of Adjunct Professor, John Skerritt's, Interview with Patricia Karvelas, Radio National
Subjects: Europe, COVID-19, Vaccine, Blood clots

The Department of Health and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
16 MAR: Transcript of Adjunct Professor, John Skerritt's, Interview with Rafael Epstein, ABC Radio
Subjects: COVID-19, Vaccine, Europe, Blood clots

The Department of Health and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
16 MAR: Transcript of Adjunct Professor, John Skerritt's, Interview with Jim Wilson, 2GB
Subjects: COVID-19 vaccine, Europe, AstraZeneca, UK

Shadow Minister for Health Mark Butler
16 MAR: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Parliament House, Canberra
Subjects: Vaccine rollout, National Booking System, AstraZeneca concerns, COVID-19 cases in Papua New Guinea

Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne
16 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Stephen Cenatiempo, 2CC Breakfast Show
Subjects: Political panel, New Canberra stadium, Vaccine rollout, Canberra's bad NBN, COVID-19, TGA, ACT business fibre zones

Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government Mark Coulton
16 MAR: Transcript of Speech to Rural Doctors Association of Australia and RANZCOG - 'Rural Maternal Care in Australia and Establishment of the Rural Generalist Training Scheme'
Subjects: Rural health, Maternal health, Closing the Gap

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
16 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Allison Langdon, the Today Show, Channel 9
Subjects: AstraZeneca vaccine, Tax cuts, JobKeeper, March 4 Justice, World Health Organisation, TGA, Job creation

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
16 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Fran Kelly, RN Breakfast, ABC
Subjects: Tax cuts, JobKeeper, Employment, Vaccine, Women's march

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
16 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Fran Kelly, RN Breakfast, ABC
Subjects: Tax cuts, Labour market, JobKeeper, Employment, Vaccine rollout, Women's March 4 Justice, Education & vocational training

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack
16 MAR: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Parliament House, Canberra
Subjects: AstraZeneca vaccine safety concerns, TGA approval process, Public health, Vaccine distribution & rollout

Shadow Minister for Women Tanya Plibersek
16 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Laura Jayes, Sky News First Edition
Subjects: COVID-19, AstraZeneca vaccine, March4Justice, Therapeutic Goods Administration, Health advice, Women, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Workplace culture

Shadow Minister for International Pat Conroy
16 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Jordan Fennell, ABC Pacific Beat
Subjects: COVID-19, Outbreak in Papua New Guinea, Public health, Pacific, Low testing rates, WHO, Personal Protective Equipment, COVAX facility

Shadow Minister for Government Accountability Kristina Keneally
16 MAR: Transcript of Address to Australasian Union of Jewish Students Annual Political Training Seminar, Parliament House, Canberra
Subjects: Parliament, Committees, Inquiries, Stillbirths, Maternal health, PJCIS

Shadow Assistant Minister for Western Australia Patrick Gorman
15 MAR: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Parliament House, Canberra
Subjects: COVID-19, WA State Election result, March for Justice, Sexual harassment allegations, Workplace culture

Shadow Minister for National Reconstruction Richard Marles
15 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Michael Rowland, ABC News Breakfast
Subjects: March 4 Justice, COVID-19, Independent inquiry, Attorney-General, Parliament House, Sexual harassment, Workplace culture

Shadow Minister for National Reconstruction Richard Marles
15 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Peter Stefanovic, Sky News First Edition
Subjects: COVID-19, March 4 Justice, Parliament House, Workplace culture, Independent inquiry, Attorney-General, Sexual harassment

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Department of Health
14 MAR: Transcript of Doorstop Interview with Secretary of the Department of Health, Brendan Murphy, and Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, Castle Hill
Subjects: Vaccine rollout, Telehealth services, Aged care

Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers
12 MAR: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Brisbane
Subjects: PM, COVID-19 vaccines, Economic support, Jobs, Superannuation guarantee, Mandatory code for car dealers, Half price airfares, Liberal Party

Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler
12 MAR: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Adelaide
Subjects: Vaccine rollout, Australian car industry, Minister for Defence, COVID-19, TGA, Astra Zeneca, Employment, US President, Australian Medical Association

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Reports

Australian Public Assessment Report for Nintedanib (as Esilate)
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Ofev must not be taken on the same day of docetaxel chemotherapy administration (that is, Day 1). The recommended maximum daily dose of 400 mg should not be exceeded. Patients may continue therapy with Ofev after discontinuation of docetaxel for as long as clinical benefit is observed or until unacceptable toxicity occurs. For dosage, method of administration and dose modifications of docetaxel, please refer to the corresponding product information for docetaxel.
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Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis IVD self-tests
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
The purpose of this document is to provide manufacturers and sponsors with guidance on the Therapeutic Goods Administration's (TGA) expectations concerning clinical performance requirements (i.e. clinical sensitivity and specificity) and risk mitigations for in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDs) intended to be used as self-tests for Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhoea) and Treponema pallidum (syphilis).
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Hepatitis B and C viruses IVD self-tests
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
The purpose of this document is to provide manufacturers and sponsors with guidance on the Therapeutic Goods Administration's (TGA) expectations concerning clinical performance requirements (i.e. clinical sensitivity and specificity) and risk mitigations for in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDs) intended to be used as self-tests for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV).
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Ovaleap - Australian prescription medicine decision summary
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Treatment with Ovaleap should be initiated under the supervision of a physician experienced in the treatment of fertility disorders. The injection site should be alternated daily to prevent lipoatrophy. Self administration of Ovaleap should only be performed by patients who are well motivated, adequately trained and who have access to expert advice. Ovaleap cartridge should only be administered using the Ovaleap Pen, which is separately available.
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Seasonal Influenza IVD self-tests
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
The purpose of this document is to provide manufacturers and sponsors with guidance on the Therapeutic Goods Administration's (TGA) expectations concerning clinical performance requirements (i.e. clinical sensitivity and specificity) and risk mitigation for in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDs) intended to be used as self-tests for seasonal influenza.
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Residential Aged Care Quality Indicators
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
This Annual Report provides descriptive material about the quality indicators (in this Section), insights into data completeness and data quality (Section 2), an outline of future QI Program developments (Section 3) and presentation of alternative weight loss indicators (Section 4). This report uses recompiled quality indicator data for the four quarters of 2019-20, including source data that were not complete when compilations were first made to meet quarterly reporting timetables (in published quarterly reports on GEN).
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Leadership and Legacy Through Crises: Keeping our Mob safe - Close the Gap Campaign Report 2021
Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), Lowitja Institute
This year's report showcases the leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations throughout critical health crises in 2020, and how strengths-based approaches are the most effective way to improve health outcomes for Australia's First Peoples.
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Net zero carbon emissions: Responsibilities, pathways and opportunities for Australia's healthcare sector
Australian Medical Association (AMA) and Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA)
Health professionals are increasingly treating climate-related illnesses, and healthcare services are vulnerable to a range of risks, including an increase in patient demand and threats to infrastructure, workforce and supply chains. Yet the healthcare sector itself is a significant contributor to climate change through its own carbon footprint, which is estimated to be 7% of Australia's total carbon emissions.
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Obligations relating to the review of medical definitions - Report on an own motion inquiry into Life subscribers' compliance with section 3.2 Of the Life Insurance Code of Practice
Life Code Compliance Committee
This report is the outcome of an Own Motion Inquiry (OMI) conducted by the Life Code Compliance Committee assessing compliance with section 3.2 of the Life Insurance Code of Practice (the Code). Section 3.2 relates to the obligation that medical definitions in on-sale policies be reviewed and updated (if necessary) at least every three years in consultation with medical specialists. It also requires Code subscribers to communicate updates to customers.
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Volume 214, No 5 - COVID-19 and inequality
Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)
Download

NSW: The NSW Social Sector: Capitalising on the Potential for Growth
NSW Council of Social Service
The Social Sector refers to that part of the economy outside of government that supports people with their everyday functioning and care needs. It includes the provision of aged care, early childhood education and care, community mental health services, disability care, child protection, housing and homelessness services, community mental health, and domestic violence support. A key feature of the Social Sector is the contribution of volunteers that further enhances the sector's social and economic impact.
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Hansards

Federal

18 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID-19: Vaccination

18 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Constituency Statements - National Disability Insurance Scheme

18 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Bills - Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Age of Dependants) Bill 2021 - Second Reading, Third Reading

18 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Adjournment - Euthanasia

18 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Constituency Statements - Endometriosis Awareness Month

18 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Statements by Members - COVID-19: Vaccination

18 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Constituency Statements - Aged Care

18 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Statements by Members - Endometriosis

18 MAR 2021: SENATE HANSARD: Documents - COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates - Order for the Production of Documents

18 MAR 2021: SENATE HANSARD: Motions - JobKeeper Payment

18 MAR 2021: SENATE HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID-19: Vaccination

18 MAR 2021: SENATE HANSARD: Motions - Veterans: Suicide

18 MAR 2021: SENATE HANSARD: Bills - Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Age of Dependants) Bill 2021 - First Reading, Second Reading, Debate Adjourned

17 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Adjournment - Medicinal Marijuana

17 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Statements by Members - COVID-19, Vaccination

17 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Constituency Statements - Private Health Insurance

17 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Constituency Statements - COVID-19, Vaccination

17 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID-19, Vaccination

17 MAR 2021: SENATE HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Papua New Guinea: COVID-19

17 MAR 2021: SENATE HANSARD: Motions - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

17 MAR 2021: SENATE HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID-19: Vaccination

17 MAR 2021: SENATE HANSARD: Adjournment - COVID-19: Vaccination

17 MAR 2021: SENATE HANSARD: Questions Without Notice: Take Note of Answers - COVID-19: Vaccination - JobKeeper Payment

17 MAR 2021: SENATE HANSARD: Bills - National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits Transparency & Cost Recovery) Bill 2021 - First Reading, Second Reading

16 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Grievance Debate - Aged Care

16 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Statements by Members - Suicide

16 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Statements by Members - Fisher Electorate, National Disability Insurance Scheme

16 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Statements by Members - COVID-19, Vaccination

16 MAR 2021: SENATE HANSARD: Motions - National Disability Insurance Scheme

16 MAR 2021: SENATE HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID-19: Vaccination

16 MAR 2021: SENATE HANSARD: Adjournment - Aged Care

16 MAR 2021: SENATE HANSARD: Motions - Dementia

16 MAR 2021: SENATE HANSARD: Bills - Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia's Jobs and Economic Recovery) Bill 2021 - Second Reading

15 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Private Members' Business - Tuberculosis

15 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - National Disability Insurance Scheme

15 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Australian Centre for Disease Control

15 MAR 2021: SENATE COMMITTEE HANSARD: Senate Select Committee on COVID-19 - Australian Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic - Canberra - 11 MAR 2021

15 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Statements By Members - Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children

15 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Health Care

15 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - COVID-19: Health

15 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Rural and Regional Services: Health

15 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Constituency Statements - Mental Health

15 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Constituency Statements - Rural Flying Doctor Service

15 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Statements By Members - headspace Burnie

15 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Constituency Statements - Aged Care'

15 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - COVID-19: Vaccination

15 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Responses - COVID-19: Travel Restrictions

15 MAR 2021: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - COVID-19: Travel Restrictions

NSW

17 MAR 2021: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Community Recognition Notices - Westmead Hospital COVID-19 Vaccination Hub

17 MAR 2021: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Community Recognition Notices - St George Private Hospital

17 MAR 2021: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Community Recognition Notices - Sunrise Medical

17 MAR 2021: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Community Recognition Notices - Autism Spectrum Australia Loftus Campus Opening

17 MAR 2021: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice, Take Note - COVID-19 Vaccine

17 MAR 2021: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Mental Health Drug Treatments

17 MAR 2021: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Motions - COVID-19 and Frontline Health Workers

17 MAR 2021: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Motions - World Down Syndrome Day

17 MAR 2021: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice, Take Note - Education Reform and Mental Health

17 MAR 2021: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Education Reform and Mental Health

17 MAR 2021: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Psychedelic Drug Clinical Trials

17 MAR 2021: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID-19 Vaccine

17 MAR 2021: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Private Members' Statements - Medically Supervised Injecting Centre

South Australia

16 MAR 2021: SA COUNCIL HANSARD: Bills - Termination of Pregnancy Bill 2020 - Motor Vehicles (Motor Bike Driver Licensing) Amendment Bill 2021 - Statutes Amendment (National Energy Laws) (Stand-Alone Power Systems) Bill 2020 - Assent

16 MAR 2021: SA COUNCIL HANSARD: Bills - Coroners (Inquests and Privilege) Amendment Bill 2020 - Second Reading, Committee Stage, Third Reading

16 MAR 2021: SA COUNCIL HANSARD: Bills - Coroners (Inquests and Privilege) Amendment Bill 2020 - Final Stages

16 MAR 2021: SA COUNCIL HANSARD: Question Time - Ambulance Services

16 MAR 2021: SA COUNCIL HANSARD: Question Time - Flinders Medical Centre

16 MAR 2021: SA COUNCIL HANSARD: Question Time - COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout

16 MAR 2021: SA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Question Time - COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout

Tasmania

04 MAR 2021: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Bills - End-Of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Bill 2020 (No. 30) - In Committee, Third Reading

03 MAR 2021: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Adjournment - Ambulance Response Times - Patient Travel Assistant Scheme - King Island

03 MAR 2021: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Bills - End-Of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Bill 2020 (No. 30) - In Committee

03 MAR 2021: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Adjournment - Public Housing - Disability Support

02 MAR 2021: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions - Ambulance Ramping - Royal Hobart Hospital - Patient Death

02 MAR 2021: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions - COVID-19 - Vaccine Rollout & Importance of Vaccination

02 MAR 2021: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions - Ambulance Ramping - Royal Hobart Hospital - Patient Death

02 MAR 2021: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions - COVID-19 - Vaccine Rollout & Importance of Vaccination

02 MAR 2021: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Adjournment - Ambulance Services - Staffing Issues

02 MAR 2021: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Bills - End- of- Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Bill 2020 (No. 30) - In Committee, Amendment Agreed To, Debate Adjourned

02 MAR 2021: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Order of Business - End-of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Bill 2020 (No. 30)

Victoria

17 MAR 2021: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Adjournment - Seniors Mental Health

17 MAR 2021: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice and Ministers Statements - Voluntary Assisted Dying

17 MAR 2021: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Royal Commission Into Victoria's Mental Health System - Final Report

17 MAR 2021: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Grievance Debate - Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System

17 MAR 2021: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice & Ministers Statements - Ministers Statements: Aged Care Funding

17 MAR 2021: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice & Ministers Statements - Ministers Statements: Health Funding

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Court Cases

None this edition.

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New Regulations

Federal

Aged Care (Transitional Provisions) Amendment (March Indexation) Principles 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L00239
The purpose of the Aged Care (Transitional Provisions) Amendment (March Indexation) Principles 2021 (Amending Principles) is to amend the Aged Care (Transitional Provisions) Principles 2014 (Transitional Provisions Principles) to update the specified amount of maximum accommodation charge for a post 2008-reform resident as a result of routine indexation.
Explanatory Statement

Aged Care (Transitional Provisions) (Subsidy and Other Measures) Amendment (March Indexation) Determination 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L00238
The Amending Determination amends the Aged Care (Transitional Provisions) (Subsidy and Other Measures) Determination 2014. The purpose of the Amending Determination is to increase the amount of supplements payable to approved providers of aged care services in line with the changes to the consumer price index (CPI). Routine indexation of supplements in this determination is calculated through the use of a well-established formula based on the CPI as a measure of the movements in the non-labour costs of providers.
Explanatory Statement

Aged Care (Subsidy, Fees & Payments) Amendment (March Indexation) Determination 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L00237
The Amending Determination amends the Aged Care (Subsidy, Fees and Payments) Determination 2014. The purpose of the Amending Determination is to increase the amount of supplements payable to approved providers of aged care services in respect of a day from 20 March 2021 in line with the changes to the consumer price index (CPI), in addition to increasing the value of a number of caps and thresholds in line with the age pension.
Explanatory Statement

National Health (Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Program) Special Arrangement 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L00235
The purpose of the National Health (Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Program) Special Arrangement 2021 (the Special Arrangement) is to provide for the continued operation of the Paraplegic and Quadriplegic (ParaQuad) Program which assists people with paraplegia and quadriplegia to access bowel management medicines free of charge.
Explanatory Statement

Therapeutic Goods (Adverse Events Following Immunisation) (Information) Specification 2021
Explanatory Statement - F2021L00234
The purpose of the instrument is to ensure the release of specified therapeutic goods information to Jurisdictional Immunisation Coordinators ('JICs'), the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance ('NCIRS') and the Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Vaccination In the Community ('SAEFVIC') for the purposes of their participation in Therapeutic Goods Administration Adverse Event Following Immunisation Jurisdictional Immunisation Coordinators ('TGA AEFI JIC') meetings with the TGA. These meetings facilitate discussion of adverse events following vaccine immunisation and are an essential part of responding to adverse events and ensuring vaccine safety more generally.
Explanatory Statement

ACT

Freedom of Information (Canberra Health Services Information Officers) Appointment 2021 (No 2)
Notifiable Instrument NI2021-152
Occupants of the following positions are appointed as Information Officers for Canberra Health Services under section 18 of the Freedom of Information Act 2016, and NI2021-94 is revoked.
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Proclamations

None this edition.

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Gazette Notices

None this edition.

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Consolidated Legislation

Australian Immunisation Register Rule 2015
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2021C00234
Rules/Other as amended, taking into account amendments up to Australian Immunisation Register Amendment (Reporting) Rules 2021.
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Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - General Practitioner Telehealth Services) Determination 2018
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2021C00233
Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Determination 2021.
Download

Health Insurance (Diagnostic Imaging Services Table) Regulations (No. 2) 2020 Authoritative Version
Consolidated Legislative Instrument - F2021C00229
Regulations as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (2020 Measures No. 3) Regulations 2020
Administered by: Health
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National Health (Continued Dispensing - Emergency Measures) Determination 2020 Authoritative Version
Consolidated Legislative Instrument - F2021C00227
Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Continued Dispensing - Emergency Measures) Amendment Determination 2021 (No. 2) (PB 16 of 2021)
Administered by: Health
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Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations (No. 2) 2020
Consolidated Legislative Instrument - F2021C00232
In force - Latest Version
Regulations as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (2020 Measures No. 3) Regulations 2020
Administered by: Health
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New Bills

Federal

A Bill for an Act to amend the National Health Act 1953, and for related purposes.

The Bill permits the publication of information and simplifies administrative processes associated with the publication of information and cost recovery arrangements via two separate measures.

Senate: Intro 17/03/21, 2R 17/03/21, Passed TBA
Reps: Intro TBA, 2R TBA, Passed TBA

Assent TBA, Act No. TBA

Commencement:

1. Sections 1 to 3 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by this table: The day this Act receives the Royal Assent.
2. Schedule 1, Part 1: The day after this Act receives the Royal Assent.
3. Schedule 1, Part 2: A single day to be fixed by Proclamation. However, if the provisions do not commence within the period of 6 months beginning on the day this Act receives the Royal Assent, they commence on the day after the end of that period.

Download: 2R Speech | Explanatory Memorandum

NSW

A Bill for An Act to amend a number of Acts and instruments to extend emergency measures implemented as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; to amend the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 for particular purposes; and to repeal the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Amendment (Victims) Act 2018.

The objects of this Bill are to -
(a) amend the following Acts and regulations to extend the operation of temporary provisions that were introduced because of the COVID-19 pandemic until 26 September 2021, and allow their further extension to a day not later than 26 March 2022 by regulation if necessary -
(i) Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012,
(ii) Child Protection (Working with Children) Regulation 2013,
(iii) Children (Community Service Orders) Act 1987,
(iv) Children (Community Service Orders) Regulation 2020,
(v) Children (Detention Centres) Act 1987,
(vi) Children (Detention Centres) Regulation 2015,
(vii) Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013,
(viii) Civil and Administrative Tribunal Regulation 2013,
(ix) Constitution Act 1902,
(x) Constitution (COVID-19 Emergency Measures Regulation 2020,
(xi) Court Security Act 2005,
(xii) Court Security Regulation 2016,
(xiii) Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Act 1999,
(xiv) Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Regulation 2014,
(xv) Criminal Procedure Act 1986,
(xvi) Criminal Procedure Regulation 2017,
(xvii) Evidence (Audio and Audio Visual Links) Act 1998,
(xviii) Evidence (Audio and Audio Visual Links) Regulation 2015,
(xix) Interpretation Act 1987,
(xx) Jury Act 1977,
(xxi) Jury Regulation 2015,
(xxii) Private Health Facilities Act 2007,
(xxiii) Public Health Act 2010,
(xxiv) Sheriff Act 2005,
(xxv) Sheriff Regulation 2016, and

(b) repeal temporary regulation-making powers in the following Acts that were introduced because of the COVID-19 pandemic -
(i) Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013,
(ii) Criminal Procedure Act 1986, and
(iii) Interpretation Act 1987, and

(c) amend the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 (the Act) to -
(i) ensure the process for making orders relating to diversion of accused persons in the Local Court does not trigger the processes under the Local Court Act 2007 relating to the commencement of proceedings, and
(ii) clarify that the Mental Health Review Tribunal's power to extend of a statutory review period applies only to mandatory reviews for forensic patients, mandatory reviews for correctional patients and reviews of persons in custody who are subject to community treatment orders, and
(iii) provide for the transitional arrangements for criminal proceedings in the Supreme Court and District Court in which the court had imposed a limiting term in respect of the accused person and that were commenced before the commencement of the Act, and
(iv) clarify the transitional arrangements for summary proceedings before a Magistrate and that were commenced before the commencement of the Act, and

(d) repeal the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Amendment (Victims) Act 2018.

LA: Notice of Motion 17/02/21
LA: 1R 18/02/21, 2R 18/02/21, 16/03/21, Passed 16/03/21
LC: 1R 16/03/21, 2R 18/03/21, Passed 18/03/21

Assent TBA, Act No. TBA

Commencement:

(1) This Act, except as provided by subsection (2), commences on the date of assent to this Act.
(2) Schedules 1.7[2] and 1.15[1] commence on 26 March 2021.

Download: 2R Speech

 

South Australia

A Bill for An Act to amend the Coroners Act 2003, and to make a related amendment to the Guardianship and Administration Act 1993.

LA: 1R 14/10/20, 2R 14/10/20, 10/11/20, Passed 10/11/20
LC: 1R 10/11/20, 2R 12/11/20, 18/02/21, 02/03/21, 16/03/21, Passed 16/03/21
LA: Agreed to amendments 16/03/21
LC: Final Stages 16/03/21

Assent TBA, Act No. TBA

Commencement: This Act comes into operation on a day to be fixed by proclamation.

Download: 2R Speech

 

A Private Member's Bill (Close) for An Act to provide for and regulate access to voluntary assisted dying, to establish the Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board, to make related amendments to other Acts, and for other purposes.

The main purpose of this Bill is to introduce a voluntary assisted dying scheme, modelled on that implemented in Victoria. The essential elements, as described by the Victorian health department, for someone seeking access to the Victorian scheme include:

  • they must have an advanced disease that will cause their death, and is likely to cause that within six months, or 12 months if a neurodegenerative disease, that is causing that person suffering that is unacceptable to them;
  • they must have the ability to make and communicate a decision about voluntary assisted dying through the formal request process; and
  • they must be an adult over 18 years, have been living in the state for at least 12 months, and be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

LA: 1R 02/12/20, 2R 02/12/20, 17/03/21, Passed TBA
LC: 1R TBA, 2R TBA, Passed TBA
LA: Final Stages TBA

Assent TBA, Act No. TBA

Commencement: This Act comes into operation on a day to be fixed by proclamation.

Download: 2R Speech

A Private Member's Bill (Maher) for An Act to provide for and regulate access to voluntary assisted dying, to establish the Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board, to make related amendments to other Acts, and for other purposes.

The main purpose of this Bill is to introduce a voluntary assisted dying scheme, modelled on that implemented in Victoria. The essential elements, as described by the Victorian health department, for someone seeking access to the Victorian scheme include:

  • they must have an advanced disease that will cause their death, and is likely to cause that within six months, or 12 months if a neurodegenerative disease, that is causing that person suffering that is unacceptable to them;
  • they must have the ability to make and communicate a decision about voluntary assisted dying through the formal request process; and
  • they must be an adult over 18 years, have been living in the state for at least 12 months, and be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

LC: 1R 02/12/20, 2R 02/12/20, 17/03/21, Passed TBA
LA: 1R TBA, 2R TBA, Passed TBA
LC: Final Stages TBA

Assent TBA, Act No. TBA

Commencement: This Act comes into operation on a day to be fixed by proclamation.

Download: 2R Speech

Tasmania

A Bill for An Act to amend the Guardianship and Administration Act 1995.

The Bill inserts provisions into the Guardianship and Administration Act 1995 (the Principal Act) to provide for the making and implementation of advance care directives in Tasmania.

The Bill provides that a person with decision-making ability may make decisions and give directions about their future health care by giving an advance care directive. The advance care directive may be given in writing or by any other means.

Witnessing requirements are prescribed in the Bill and witnesses are required to attest that the person giving the advance care directive is not acting under any form of duress or coercion.

The advance care directive may contain both binding and non-binding directives. Refusals or instructions to withdraw health care that are clear and unambiguous are binding. All other directives are non-binding. Non-binding directives must be complied with to the extent that it is reasonably practicable to do so.

LA: Intro 18/03/21, 2R 18/03/21, Passed TBA
LC: Intro TBA, 2R TBA, Passed TBA

Assent TBA, Act No. TBA

Commencement: This Act commences on a day to be proclaimed.

Download: Clause Notes | Fact Sheet | 2R Speech

 

Victoria

A Bill for An Act to amend the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Act 2003 to introduce a licensing scheme for first-aid operators, to make further provision for the regulation of non-emergency patient transport to and from medical services and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts.

The main purposes of the Bill are to amend the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Act 2003 -

  • to introduce a licensing and regulation scheme for commercial first aid services;
  • to strengthen the existing licensing and regulation scheme for non-emergency patient transport services;
  • to abolish the accreditation scheme for stand-by services in Division 5 of Part 2 of that Act;
  • to increase the penalties for certain offences in that Act and to introduce new offences; and
  • to make consequential and related amendments to that Act.

A further purpose of the Bill is to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts.

LA: 1R 16/03/21, 2R 17/03/21, Passed TBA
LC: 1R TBA, 2R TBA, Passed TBA

Assent TBA, Act No. TBA

Commencement:

(1) Subject to subsection (2), this Act comes into operation on a day or days to be proclaimed.
(2) If a provision of this Act does not come into operation before 30 September 2021, it comes into operation on that day.

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New Acts

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