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)
10 March
Consultation: Repurposing of medicines
Repurposing medicines is the process of identifying potential new therapeutic uses (or 'indications') for older medicines through new research and evidence. The Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) has recently announced that repurposing older medicines has been a prominent area of research for potential COVID-19 treatments. It has also been considered by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport, with a recommendation that the Department continue to develop options that establishes a more flexible way forward for the repurposing of drugs in Australia.
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TGA approves provisional determination for Biocelect Pty Ltd for COVID-19 vaccine, Nuvaxovid
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), part of the Department of Health, has granted a second provisional determination to Biocelect Pty Ltd (on behalf of Novavax Inc.) in relation to its COVID-19 vaccine, Nuvaxovid. Currently, Nuvaxovid is provisionally approved for the active immunisation of adults aged 18 years and older for the prevention of disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. The new provisional determination means that Biocelect Pty Ltd (on behalf of Novavax Inc.) is now able to apply for provisional registration for the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine for use in adolescents and children as data becomes available.
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ACT: More nurses in hospitals to improve patient care and healthcare staff welfare
The ACT Government is increasing the number of nurses in the Territory's hospitals to improve patient care, reduce the risk of medical complications and improve occupational safety and job satisfaction for healthcare staff. ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the ACT Government has worked closely with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation ACT (ANMF) to establish the new nurse-to-patient ratios. "Ratios mean there will be more nurses, and nurses with a greater range of skills, on critical shifts and wards at Canberra Hospital and Calvary Public Hospital Bruce," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
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NT: NT COVID-19 update
The NT Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet is reporting the death of a male in his 60s with COVID-19. The man, who was from a remote community in the Big Rivers region, had underlying health conditions, and passed away at Royal Darwin Hospital. The total number of COVID-19 related deaths recorded in the NT since the start of the pandemic remains at 30. The death of a man in his 50's from East Arnhem was reported for a second time on 5 March 2022. The reporting error was and the total COVID-19 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic has been revised. NT Health apologises for the error.
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9 March
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 94.4 per cent have received two doses to Monday 7 March 2022, said NSW Health.
- Of children aged 12 to 15, 83.6 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 79 per cent have received two doses.
- Of children aged 5 to 11, 48 per cent have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Of people aged 16 plus, 56.1 per cent have now received a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
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WA: Very high caseload settings introduced for Western Australia
"As planned, Western Australia will move to very high caseload settings from 12.01am Thursday March 10 to ensure continuity of operations for critical industries as COVID-19 cases approach the peak," said WA Minister for Health Sue Ellery. Based on the latest health advice, businesses that have registered their critical workforce will have the option of implementing new testing and isolation protocols for critical workers, if needed when there is a high impact on services, to safely continue essential operations.
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7 March
TGA advice for consumers on purchasing COVID-19 rapid antigen tests
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is urging consumers to only purchase COVID-19 rapid antigen tests (RATs) that are approved for use in Australia to avoid the risk of poor test performance that could arise from using unapproved, repackaged or repurposed RATs. Before RATs can be legally supplied in Australia, they must be assessed by the TGA to ensure they have the necessary specificity and sensitivity and meet Australia's other regulatory requirements. Once the product has been approved it is entered in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
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Recent COVID-19 deaths are eroding earlier mortality gains
'In February 2022, official COVID-19 deaths in Australia totalled 1,377. This followed 1,582 official COVID-19 deaths in January 2022, taking the total COVID-19 deaths for the first two months of 2022 to 2,959. There were 909 official COVID-19 deaths in 2020 and a further 1,344 deaths in 2021,' said the Actuaries Institute. The surge in COVID-19 cases in December 2021 and January 2022 is expected to result in the total number of deaths, from all causes, in Australia being 10 per cent higher during January and February 2022 than if there had been no pandemic.
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NSW: COVID-19 update: Guidance relating to masks and visitors for residential disability services
NSW Health has updated advice relating to masks and visitors in residential disability settings. All staff working in and visitors to residential disability settings are required to wear a mask. Residents are encouraged to wear a mask when visiting indoor settings. Two visitors over 12 years of age and two visitors under 12 are allowed per resident per day. Visitors over the age of 12 should be fully vaccinated. Visitors should get a booster dose as soon as they are eligible and should also have a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) prior to each visit. Visitors should have either proof of vaccination or a medical exemption.
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NT: 5 - 11 Year olds now eligible for second Covid-19 vaccine
NT Minister for Health Natasha Fyles has announced that territory children aged 5 - 11 years old are now eligible to receive their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. More than 13,500 paediatric vaccinations have been administered across the Territory so far, with over 55 per cent of children having received their first dose. The milestone follows the recommended eight week waiting period for children aged 5 - 11 years old. NT Health have been administering paediatric vaccinations in NT Health Clinics, at schools and in remote communities.
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TAS: COVID-19 update: Additional vaccination requirements for disability support workers
On Friday 4 March 2022, the Tasmanian Deputy Director of Public Health signed a Direction under the Public Health Act for additional vaccination requirements. This direction applies to disability support workers, as well as aged care workers. The direction requires that from 1 April 2022, a person is not permitted to provide high intensity supports to an NDIS participant, unless the person has received a COVID-19 vaccination booster dose. If the person is not due for their booster , they must provide their relevant supervisor with evidence and to receive that booster dose within four weeks of becoming eligible.
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VIC: Blood donors sought for new COVID-19 research biobank
The call is out for Victorians willing to roll up their sleeves and donate blood for a research initiative into COVID-19, backed by the Government. Victorian Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and Digital Economy Jaala Pulford met with researchers for the Victorian COVID-19 Vaccinees Collection biobank as they seek volunteers to provide blood samples in between their vaccine doses. The biobank is a $5 million project that will provide critical insights into the effectiveness of vaccines, long-term effects of COVID-19 while also helping experts prepare for new strains of coronavirus.
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5 March
WA: New health advice for close contacts linked to WA schools
As Western Australia's latest daily case numbers hit 2,270, WA Health has introduced new rules for close contacts of COVID-19 cases linked to schools, based on public health advice. Under the new rules, parents and carers are no longer required to automatically quarantine with a child who is identified as a close contact of a COVID-19 case. Depending on the child's needs, one parent or carer may still need to stay home to care for them while the child is quarantining.
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4 March
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 94.4 per cent have received two doses to Wednesday 2 March 2022, said NSW Health.
- Of children aged 12 to 15, 83.6 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 79 per cent have received two doses.
- Of children aged 5 to 11, 47.7 per cent have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Of people aged 16 plus, 55.1 per cent have now received a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
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3 March
NT: COVID-19 update
NT Health said that the Northern Territory reported three deaths of people with COVID-19. A female in her 70s, who had underlying health conditions, passed away at Alice Springs Hospital. A male in his 60s from a remote community in the East Arnhem region, who had underlying health conditions. A female in her 60s from Darwin, who had underlying health conditions, passed away at Royal Darwin Hospital. There have now been 26 COVID-19 related deaths recorded in the NT since the start of the pandemic. There were 559 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the NT in the 24 hours to 8pm on 1 March 2022. Of these, 495 were positive cases from a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT).
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Aged Care
9 March
New program makes access to residential aged care volunteers easier than ever
The Department of Health has announced that the Australian Government has released a new residential aged care facilities (RACFs) program, to help address the decline in volunteer numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The re-engaging volunteers into residential aged care facilities program allows RACFs to nominate themselves for non-clinical support staff. The program recognises the importance of emotional support, companionship and tackling social isolation in senior Australians. The program aims to boost volunteer numbers and increase visits, and lessen isolation for senior Australians.
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7 March
First of its kind disability confidence training for professionals
First of its kind training will be developed and rolled out across universities and workplaces to increase the capability of professionals to better serve people with disability. Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the Disability Best Practice Guide and Action Plan's goal was to ensure people with disability were able to access services just like anybody else. "We're hoping to provide educational institutions and professional bodies with the tools they need to incorporate disability awareness and confidence into their training," Minister Ruston said.
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Pharmacists can help resolve troubling aged care findings
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is renewing its call for embedded pharmacists in residential aged care facilities, following worrying findings from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The first quarterly report on the AIHW National Mandatory Quality Indicator Program for residential aged care services since its expansion to include medication management, specifically 'polypharmacy' and 'antipsychotics', shows some concerning findings. The report revealed that over 40% of residents were prescribed nine or more medications and 50% of those who were prescribed an antipsychotic had no diagnosis of psychosis. PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, was deeply troubled by these findings.
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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
7 March
Sydney public hearing - inquiry into childhood rheumatic diseases
On Tuesday 8 March 2022, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport will hold a public hearing into childhood rheumatic diseases in Sydney. The Chair of the Committee, Mr Trent Zimmerman, said that the Committee has already received valuable evidence on childhood rheumatic diseases and juvenile arthritis from medical professionals, peak bodies and patients from across Australia since launching the inquiry. The Committee will hear further evidence from Arthritis Australia, the Juvenile Arthritis Foundation, the Australia Paediatric Rheumatology Group, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists and other peak bodies and importantly, patients and their families.
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Clinical Governance
9 March
Organ donation registrations rise
From the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA) The rate of new registrations for organ donation has reached record levels, with 87 per cent year-on-year growth in Australians signing up as an organ donor. The latest data reveals a substantial increase in new registrations on the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR), in a report that also outlines the ongoing impact COVID-19 has had on donation and transplantation rates. The 2021 Australian Donation and Transplantation Activity Report, confirms that despite a further drop in donation and transplantation rates last year, public support for donation is increasing.
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8 March
Out of pocket health care costs for treatment and medicines hurting Australians
The poorest and sickest Australians are those who most need healthcare, yet they are missing out due to the combined forces of variable bulk billing rates and high out-of-pocket costs according to a report from the Grattan Institute released this week. Australia's healthcare is designed to ensure no one misses out on access to healthcare, but mounting out-of-pocket costs are making specialist care and access to medications unaffordable for many people. "The extent to which out-of-pocket costs are a barrier to care is consistent with what we are being told by consumers in our own research and consultations," the CEO of Consumers Health Forum, Leanne Wells, said.
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7 March
DPD Stores Pty Ltd fined $26,640 for alleged counterfeit nicotine vaping products
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued two infringement notices totalling $26,640 to DPD Stores Pty Ltd, trading as Lanyon Newsagency in the ACT, in relation to alleged unlawful supply of nicotine vaping products. The company allegedly supplied counterfeit vaping products that did not declare on the labels and packaging that they contained nicotine. Under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act) and the Poisons Standard (//www.tga.gov.au/publication /poisons-standard-susmp) vaping products containing nicotine are prescription only medicines and must only be dispensed by pharmacies to consumers who hold a valid authorisation or prescription. It is illegal for other Australian retailers to sell nicotine vaping products to the public.
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Hepatitis B: New recommendations for management
New recommendations for the management of hepatitis B in Australia have been released, with the authors aiming to improve awareness of chronic hepatitis B among clinicians and to increase detection of cases that currently remain undiagnosed. Published in the Medical Journal of Australia, the recommendations have been initiated by the Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) and formulated by expert gastroenterology and infectious diseases physicians with input from primary care physicians and consumer representatives. They provide guidance to clinicians managing hepatitis B and recognise groups at increased risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and describe appropriate and timely screening strategies.
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The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital leads efforts to reduce medicine related mishaps
The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital leads efforts to reduce medicine related mishaps The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (Eye and Ear) is the first hospital in Australia to implement the Pharmacist Shared Medicines List (PSML) medicine safety initiative. PSML is a clinical document produced only by pharmacists and uploaded to My Health Record. It is a consolidated list that includes information about prescription and nonprescription medicines such as over-the-counter and complementary medicines, including vitamins and herbal remedies. It also includes the health practitioner's reasons for prescribing each medicine and how and when patients should take them.
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Not so universal: How to reduce out-of pocket healthcare payments
'Hundreds of thousands of the sickest and poorest Australians are missing out on healthcare because of gaps in Medicare coverage and high fees charged by medical specialists,' said the Grattan Institute. In 2020-21, nearly half a million Australians decided not to see a specialist because they could not afford it, and even more deferred or did not fill a prescription because of the cost. Overall, Australians spend about $7 billion a year out of their own pockets on out-of-hospital medical services and on medications listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
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QLD: Queensland leads the way in tackling nation's obesity crisis
The Queensland Government has committed to improving the health outcomes of millions of Australians under a long-term obesity strategy. Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D'Ath has unveiled the National Obesity Strategy 2022-2032, which will act as a blueprint to reduce overweight and obesity rates across the country. Led by Queensland Health, endorsed by all state and territory governments and the Commonwealth, the strategy has been tailored to effectively engage with adults and children to achieve positive and lasting results. "Queensland Health has led the development of National Obesity Strategy 2022-2032, which reinforces the Government's commitment to give Queensland families the best chance at a healthy future," Ms D'Ath said.
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Construction and Health Infrastructure
None this edition.
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Dental
None this edition.
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Disabilities
8 March
Australian women and girls with disability break the bias every single day
This International Women's Day (IWD), Australia celebrates the contributions that women with disability make to our nation and we recommit ourselves to advancing gender equality and fostering inclusion for all Australian women. Minister for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Government Services, Linda Reynolds, said that the Government was empowering more Australian women with disability to #BreakTheBias and achieve their aspirations. "As Minister for the NDIS, every day I hear stories of women with disability smashing stereotypes and breaking the gender bias in their communities.'
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WA Disability support awards to be postponed
Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Western Australia and the significant pressure this is placing on the WA disability sector, NDS has made the decision to delay this year's Disability Support Awards. While NDS is disappointed to make this decision, it has a wider responsibility to prioritise the health of people with disability and to support the disability sector to focus on their organisations' response to COVID-19 during this time. At this stage, The NDS anticipate opening the nominations for the Disability Support Awards in December 2022, with the event to be held in April/May 2023.
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4 March
NDIS plan-management provider faces court
The FWO has commenced legal action against a Melbourne-based company that provides National Disability Insurance Scheme plan-management services. Facing court are Kukoon Pty Ltd and its sole director Filipa Watts. The regulator investigated after receiving a request for assistance from a worker who had been employed as a full-time senior plan manager between February 2020 and September 2020. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice to Kukoon Pty Ltd in July 2021 after forming a belief the worker had not been paid all entitlements owed under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 and the National Employment Standards.
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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
7 March
TAS: Ida West Aboriginal health scholarship
'Nine students across nursing, medicine, and paramedic courses have been awarded a 2022 Ida West Aboriginal Health Scholarship. The recipients range from first to final year students who are studying across several different institutions including University of Tasmania and TasTAFE. The scholarships, which are up to a maximum of $5000, support Aboriginal students undertaking education in a health and human services-related field,' said Tasmanian Minister for Health Jeremy Rockcliff. This support helps students to achieve their study goals and helps to address the under-representation of Aboriginal people working across health and human services.
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Funding
9 March
NSW: Cancer Council NSW grants for Garvan researchers
Cancer Council NSW has awarded two project grants to Garvan Institute of Medical Research scientists to kick start innovative research into immunotherapy for solid cancer types and repurposing medication for breast cancer. The projects expand on Garvan's leading cancer breakthroughs and leverage the Institute's advanced cellular genomics and proteomics capabilities. Each grant, worth $450,000 over three years, was awarded based on scientific merit as determined by a rigorous peer-review process and a consumer panel. The funded projects are led by: Analysing stromal cells' impact on immunotherapy led by A/Prof Alex Swarbrick and Repurposing therapies for triple-negative breast cancer lead by A/Prof David Croucher and Dr Sharissa Latham
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VIC: New funding to support Victoria's medtech manufacturers
A new Victorian Government grant program will help grow medical technology (medtech) production in Victoria, creating new high-skill jobs and cementing the state's reputation as a global leader in healthcare innovation. The $3 million Medtech Manufacturing Capability Program is now open to Victorian manufacturing businesses, with grants of between $100,000 and $500,000 available. The program will support businesses to make new medtech products and scale-up production in the state, boosting their ability to turn innovative ideas into real-life solutions. Medtech is one of the fastest growing sectors in Victoria's economy and the program will help it grow even faster, said the Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions.
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4 March
$30 million boost Indigenous-led health research
The Government continued to invest in Indigenous-led health research to drive better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with $30.5 million secured for the National Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research-also known as the Lowitja Institute. Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said the work of Lowitja encompasses all areas that contribute to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including social and cultural determinants. Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt said Indigenous-led research would continue to be an important part of Closing the Gap.
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Health Professionals
8 March
Women in health - breaking the bias on International Women's Day
On International Women's Day (IWD), the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the National Boards celebrate the leadership and work of women across the country in the health professions and healthcare. Women now make up more than two-thirds (64.7%) of our National Boards comprising 99 of 153 appointed members. Ten out of the 15 Board Chairs are women. This strong participation rightly reflects the fact that our healthcare workforce is seventy five percent female.
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GPs say longer consultations needed in general practice to better serve women
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has canvassed Australia's GPs on the most pressing change needed in general practice to better serve Australia women in honour of International Women's Day. In a News GP poll GPs voted overwhelmingly for increased Medicare patient rebates for longer consultations as the most pressing change needed for women patients, at 65%. This was followed by better access to sexual and reproductive health services at 14%, enhanced preventative health screening programs closely after at 12%, and lastly more female GPs at 7%.
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7 March
National survey reveals nurses, care workers are "unseen and unvalued"
The final results of a national survey conducted by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) have revealed that overworked nurses and careworkers identified chronic understaffing as the "fundamental contributor" to the crisis in Australia's nursing homes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Many nurses and careworkers also reported feeling "unseen, unvalued and cast aside", according to the ANMF National Aged Care COVID-19 Survey 2022, conducted from January 2022 to February 2022. The survey asked nurses and carers about a range of workplace challenges they faced during the pandemic, including: access to vaccinations, RATs and properly fitted PPE; work hours and leave and their intention to leave their jobs.
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Hospitals
6 March
Life-saving cancer centre opens at Dubbo Hospital
Dubbo's highly anticipated $35 million cancer treatment centre has been officially opened, giving residents in Western New South Wales better access to critical healthcare services closer to home. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce and Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said locals now have improved access to the health services they need and deserve. NSW Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor and NSW Minister for Western New South Wales and Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the new facility will ensure the people of Western NSW can access the health services they need where they need them.
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Insurance
None this edition.
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Medicare
None this edition.
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Men's Health
8 March
NSW: Upgrade for Uralla Men's Shed
A former fruit packing shed will be refurbished to be given a new lease of life as an upgraded home for Uralla Men's Shed in the New England region, said the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. Crown Lands has provided a $48,070 grant to install a new iron roof, insulate the ceilings and walls, and install new LED lighting. The funding is part of $1.62 million that has been distributed under the Government's COVID-19 stimulus program to upgrade more than 20 men's sheds across the state. Uralla Men's Shed Secretary Bruce Stubberfield said the upgrade will improve comfort and safety for the shed's 28 members users and help attract more members.
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Mental Health
10 March
Look after your mental health during these tough times said AMA
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) said with many Australians feeling heightened levels of anxiety and trauma due to the devastating effects of an increasingly unstable climate, war in Ukraine and the continuing pandemic, it was timely, if possible, to check in with friends, reach out to your GP and take a break from media, including social media. AMA President, Dr Omar Khorshid said the media had given us an incredible insight into the suffering and pain being felt by Australians caught up in the flood catastrophe as well as the grief and horror of war.
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Doctors: Floods, climate disasters harm kids' mental health
The catastrophic floods in Queensland and New South Wales are having severe mental health and well-being impacts on children, according to health experts in flood affected areas. Sydney-based child and adolescent psychiatrist and a member of Doctors for the Environment Australia Dr Cybele Dey said there is now strong evidence that climate change-driven extreme weather disasters are associated with increased mental distress, mental health hospitalisations, suicide attempts and tragically, deaths from suicide. "Being faced with harrowing images of people and animals drowning in the flood waters and homes floating downstream is difficult for children to process and threatens their well-being," Dr Dey said.
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9 March
Landmark agreement begins a new era for mental health care in NSW
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman announced that more than $383 million will be invested into mental health and suicide prevention support and services in New South Wales over the next five years, following the signing of a new bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and NSW governments. This agreement and additional funding will ensure NSW residents are guaranteed the essential services they need and deserve. In addition to these initiatives, the Commonwealth and NSW governments will substantially deepen their partnership in the mental health and suicide prevention system.
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7 March
VIC: Outreach services must be part of new mental health centres
Victorian Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is seeking more information on two mental health and wellbeing centres to be established in Bairnsdale and Orbost. "Having spoken of the increasing need for mental health supports in our region in Parliament, particularly on the back or drought, fires and Covid, this is overdue - but we need to know more," Mr Bull said. "While the announcement has been made, unfortunately there is little detail that has been provided either to my office or local agencies, which is something I will pursue in the coming weeks."
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System
None this edition.
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Pharmaceuticals and Regulation
9 March
FuturePro Pty Ltd and its Director pleads guilty to illegal health claims and supply of bloodroot and gumby gumby alternative medicines
The Department of Health and the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) reported that Gold Coast company FuturePro Pty Ltd (FuturePro), trading as Inet Herbal, has pleaded guilty to seven breaches of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act) for the unlawful import, export, manufacture, supply, and advertising of herbal medicines with claims relating to the prevention and treatment of illnesses including various types of cancers. The Director of FuturePro, Mr Barnett, plead guilty to a further seven criminal charges, with a sentencing hearing set for 28 April 2022 at Southport Courthouse in Queensland.
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Self-care support guidance
From the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA): Guidance for pharmacists on supporting self-care in six areas - sore throat, gastrointestinal complaints, musculoskeletal pain, fever in children, sexual health and disinfection -is provided in a new handbook published by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). Co-author of the handbook, Mr Rúben Viegas, said community pharmacists already helped people in self-care by giving advice on non-prescription medicines, nutrition, physical activity and lifestyle choices. "But this new resource from FIP offers added support for these professional services that demonstrate our profession's commitment to primary health care," he said.
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Cost of medicines hits hard
From the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA) 'Community pharmacies across Australia have seen firsthand the impact of unaffordable medicines for their patients. They have assisted their communities through a global pandemic and understand their health concerns intimately. Community pharmacies across Australia have seen firsthand the impact of unaffordable medicines for their patients. They have assisted their communities through a global pandemic and understand their health concerns intimately. The maximum price of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listed medicines for nonconcession card holders rose again on 1 January 2022 to $42.50, doubling since 2000.'
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8 March
Life-saving medicines unaffordable as PBS co-pay heads to $50 a script
Life-saving medicines used for diabetes, asthma, heart failure or anaphylaxis are unaffordable to many Australians as the rising cost of living collides with the rising cost of prescription medicines. Research conducted by independent research firm Insightfully on behalf of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia - community pharmacy's peak body - has found that nearly a third (31 per cent) of middleincome households ($60,000 to $100,000) without a concession card have found it difficult to afford medications on the PBS.
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Research
9 March
Digital health is about to upend health care - are we ready?
From the Consumer Health Forums (CHF): 'The week just gone could not have taken a more serious toll on the anxiety of Australians emerging from the restrictions of the two-year COVID-19 crisis. The devastating flooding in the Eastern States has hurt farmers and food production, thousands of people who have lost property or found their homes are unliveable, and in some cases the lives were lost. Roads, food and medical supplies, power and internet services have been disrupted or damaged. Even as Australia focuses on the needs at home, in Europe, a serious war has erupted, with implications for years to come.
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Rural, Regional and Remote Health
4 March
QLD: New plan to improve heart health in First Nations communities
Queensland announced a new strategy dedicated to reducing the impact of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in Queensland. Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D'Ath released the Ending Rheumatic Heart Disease: Queensland First Nations Strategy 2021-2024. Queensland Minister D'Ath said Queensland was leading the way with a targeted action plan, and now a strategy, to address the prevalence of Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) among First Nations peoples. "Both RHD and ARF are preventable conditions. Unfortunately, Australia has some of the highest documented rates of RHD in the world, with a significant number of patients living in the north of the Queensland," Minister D'Ath said."
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Women's Health
9 March
Celebrating women in our profession
From the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA): International Women's Day is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. While broad recognition of the day has gained momentum over recent years, the day has been celebrated internationally since 1910 and in Australia since 1928. Australia's first International Women's Day was held in 1928 in Sydney. Australia has come a long way since then but International Women's Day still serves as a reminder of the great things women have done - and continue to do - but also some of the gaps where more recognition of women is needed.
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Recognising issues facing women
From Helen O'Bryne from the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA): "There is still a long way to go before women achieve full equality in Australia, but an increasing recognition of the issues they confront is at least providing us with a road map of how to proceed towards that goal. I have been a pharmacist for 30 years in Launceston and the West Tamar. It is a profession I love, which combines the challenges of running a business with the satisfaction of helping my local community and playing an important role in primary healthcare. "
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8 March
NSW: Putting health first during NSW Women's Week
Shining a light on women and girls' wellbeing is the focus of the inaugural NSW Women's Health Expo, being held as part of the 2022 NSW Women's Week celebrations. NSW Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the theme of the event is the lifecycle of a woman, with keynote speakers and interactive workshops focusing on good health at any age. "Whether you're a young girl, an expectant mother or experiencing menopause, the more we can talk about the issues women face, the more we normalise them and the more women benefit," Mrs Taylor said.
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Transcripts
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Federal Minister for Defence Peter Dutton, and Federal Member for Ryan Julian Simmonds
10 MAR: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Enoggera, QLD
Subjects: QLD Floods, Gympie, Maryborough, Brisbane, Services Australia, ADF, AUKUS, Defence Force annual budget, COVID-19, Submarines
Federal Senator for Queensland Anthony Chisholm and Queensland Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders
10 MAR: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Hervey Bay
Subjects: Candidate for Hinkler, Aged care, Cost of living, Homelessness, Indue card, Aged care sector, Apprenticeships, Manufacturing, Veteran affairs
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
09 MAR: Transcript of Press Conference, Goonellabah, NSW
Subjects: Floods in NSW and QLD, Income support, Flood Mitigation, ADF efforts, Economic business support, Mental health, Emergency declaration & response
Shadow Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill Shorten and Member for Dobell Emma McBride
09 MAR: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Tuggerah
Subjects: NDIS, Bureaucracy, Disability support, Healthcare, GP shortages, COVID-19, Flood relief, Medical costs, Health system, Funding priorities
Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Sonya Bennett
09 MAR: Transcript of Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Sonya Bennett's Interview with Greg Jennett, ABC Afternoon Briefing
Subjects: Japanese encephalitis, Testing, Mosquito repellent, Vaccinations, Japanese encephalitis deaths
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
08 MAR: Transcript of Virtual Address, AFR Business Summit
Subjects: COVID-19, International Womens Day, Defence forces, Russia and Ukraine, Economic uncertainty, National accounts, Unemployment, Floods, Energy prices
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
08 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Phil Coorey, AFR Business Summit
Subjects: COVID-19, Free trade market, Structural spending, Economy, Export agreements, Businesses, Taxes, Immigration, Tourism, Net zero by 2050, Investment
Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers
08 MAR: Transcript of Address to the Future Women Leadership Summit, Sydney
Subjects: Gender inequality, Workplace safety, Schools, COVID-19, Labour market, Pay gap, Unemployment, Superannuation, Health system, TAFE
Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation Ed Husic
08 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Greg Jennett, ABC Afternoon Briefing
Subjects: Medical supplies, Fed Opposition's $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund, Support for domestic manufacturing and supply chains
Opposition Candidate for Hunter Dan Repacholi, Hunter Region Federal Opposition Team, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler
08 MAR : Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Windale
Subjects: GP shortages, Medicare changes, PM, Health care system, Affordable health care, Bulk billing, Workforce, COVID-19, Vaccinations, Funding
Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler
08 MAR : Transcript of Interview with Richard King, 2HD Newcastle
Subjects: GP shortages, GP access after hours, Aged care, Climate change, International Women's Day, Federal Government, HECS debt, Royal Commission, COVID-19
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
07 MAR: MORRISON: Transcript of Address to Lowy Institute
Subjects: Flooding, SES, ADF, Disaster payments, COVID-19, Ukraine, Sanctions, QUAD, Military spending, AUKUS, Long-range strike capabilities, Submarine bases, ASEAN
Opposition Senator Jess Walsh, Member for Dunkley Peta Murphy
07 MAR 2022: WALSH, MURPHY: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Melbourne
Subjects: Doctor shortages, Medicare, Bulk Billing, Health Spending, Healthcare, Doctor retention rates, Senate Inquiry, Wait times for medical services, Chronic health conditions
Member for Dunkley Peta Murphy, Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson
07 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Ali Moore, ABC Radio Melbourne
Subjects: International Women's Day, World Economic Forum, Pay gap, Care industries, COVID-19, Floods, Discrimination, Harassment, Superannuation
Shadow Assistant Minister for Communities and The Prevention of Family Violence Jenny Mcallister
06 MAR: Transcript of Address to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2022 Conference
Subjects: Health, Domestic and family violence, Women, Federal Opposition domestic violence policy
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
05 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Darren James, 3AW
Subjects: Shane Warne, State funerals, COVID-19, Ukraine-Russian conflict, Sanctions, Lethal defence support, Small business, Floods
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Reports
Influenza in 2022 - Animal and human public health collaboration essential
Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)
With the lifting of border restrictions and quarantine regulations, Australians can anticipate the reintroduction of influenza, affording a unique opportunity to learn important lessons about the epidemiology of influenza epidemics and pandemics, say the authors of an editorial published by the Medical Journal of Australia. Professor Kanta Subbarao, Director of the World Health Organization's Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza at the Doherty Institute in Melbourne, wrote that improving collaboration between animal and human public health sectors was crucial to detecting and protecting against influenza in 2022.
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Volume 216, No 4
Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)
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National aged care COVID-19 survey 2022
Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (ANMF)
The report outlines the current situation in aged care from the perspective of dedicated aged care workers, who have not only suffered the disappointment of seeing nothing change in the last year but who have had to cope with the aftermath of the Government's insistence that the 'country must open up' and 'live with COVID'; who have had to bear witness to the devastation this strategy has caused in aged care. The report explains how demoralising this has been for the aged care workforce. Nurses' and careworkers' experiences over the last few months have left them feeling abandoned, helpless and vulnerable.
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National Drowning Report 2021
Royal Life Saving
This year's findings show that:
- Drowning deaths increased by 20% on the previous year
- People aged 25 to 34 years accounted for 17% of the total number of deaths, the most of any age group
- Rivers remain the leading location for drowning with deaths increasing by 3% compared with the 10-year average
- Tragically, deaths among children aged 0-4 years increased by 9% compared with the 10-year average and 108% compared with last year
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COVID-19 rapid antigen self-tests that are approved in Australia
Department Of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
The TGA's performance requirements for COVID-19 rapid antigen self-tests are internationally aligned with technical specifications published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Commission. This includes a clinical sensitivity of at least 80% (for specimens collected within 7 days of symptom onset) and a clinical specificity of at least 98%. The paper provides an indication of the performance of COVID-19 rapid antigen self-tests, including information on the clinical sensitivity of each test. This is based on the studies performed by the manufacturer which show the positive percent agreement (PPA).
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Cytomegalovirus - Screening for hearing loss key
Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)
Australia lacks a comprehensive approach to screening of infants for congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) screening, and most infected infants go undiagnosed, according to the authors of a Perspective published by the Medical Journal of Australia. "Congenital CMV infection is a significant if poorly recognised public health issue," wrote the authors, led by Dr Allison Reid, a PhD candidate at the University of Western Australia. "The virus is a leading cause of developmental disability and a common cause of permanent hearing loss in infants. Ninety percent of infected infants remain asymptomatic, making universal screening (testing all infants) difficult to justify," Reid and colleagues wrote.
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Empowering self-care - A handbook for pharmacists
International Pharmacy Federation (FIP)
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Australian Burden of Disease Study - Impact and causes of illness and death in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 2018
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
The ABDS 2018 includes 219 diseases and injuries, grouped into 17 broad disease groups, with a total of 745 sequelae. National estimates for Indigenous Australians were produced for 3 reference years (2003, 2011 and 2018), and subnational estimates for 2 years (2011 and 2018). There were 39 risk factor components or exposures that are combined into 19 individual risk factors for reporting. In total, more than half a million individual estimates were created for the Indigenous population.
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Notification Circular 192-22 - Application A1251-2?-FL combined with galacto-oligosaccharides and inulin-type fructans in infant formula products
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)
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The Australian cancer plan 2023 - 2033
Palliative Care Australia (PCA)
Palliative care is for all people with a life-limiting illness. However, the evidence indicates that cancer still remains the diagnosis with the largest access to palliative care. Latest data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) states:
- 53.6% of palliative care and 33.9% of other end-of-life care hospitalisations involved cancer as the principal diagnosis in 2018-19.2
- Almost 3 in 4 (72%) palliative care episodes were for people with cancer.
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Keratinocyte cancer incidence in Australia: a review of population-based incidence trends and estimates of lifetime risk
The Sax Institute
More than two thirds of Australians will be treated for the most common skin cancers in their lifetime, with rates increasing by up to 6% a year over the past three decades, according to new research published. The paper, which presents the latest evidence on the incidence of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) - collectively known as keratinocyte cancers - is published in Public Health Research & Practice, a peer-reviewed journal of the Sax Institute.
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Overview of responses to the Violence and abuse of people with disability at home
Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation of People with Disability
This document provides a brief summary of what the commission was told in the responses to the Issues paper. While the purpose of this overview is to outline what the commission has heard, it is not an authoritative statement on the full contents of those responses. The responses expressed a range of views. This document does not state the position of the Royal Commission on any issues raised .
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Cultural bias Indigenous kidney care and kidney transplantation report
Lowitja Institute
This World Kidney Day (10 March 2022), governments and health services are being urged to act on the ways that racism and cultural bias create disparities in kidney care and transplantation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Australians. Lowitja Institute and the University of Adelaide released the Cultural Bias and Indigenous Kidney Care and Kidney Transplantation Report, prepared for the National Indigenous Kidney Transplantation Taskforce (NIKTT). The report details ways to improve kidney transplantation rates and care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through addressing key barriers that lead to culturally biased care.
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Drinking water quality in Victoria 2020-21 - Annual report
VIC, Department of Health
The Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 (the Act) and Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015 (the Regulations) provide Victorian water agencies and the Department of Health (the department) with a framework to ensure safe drinking water is supplied for the health and wellbeing of Victorian communities. Section 32 of the Act requires that the Secretary of the department provides the Minister for Health with an annual report that details a statewide perspective of drinking water quality, along with details of the Secretary’s activities under the Act, no later than 28 February each year.
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COVID Transition (Critical Worker) Directions
WA, Dept Of Health: Designation by the Chief Health Officer
Dr Andrew Geoffrey Robertson, Chief Health Officer, for the purposes of paragraph 18 of the COVID Transition (Critical Worker) Directions (Directions), designate the following period as being a critical worker furlough period for the critical workers referred to, for the purposes of the Directions. In respect of all critical workers in relation to whom DR Robertson has not previously designated a critical worker furlough period, the period commencing at 12.01 am on 10 March 2022 and continuing until the State Emergency Coordinator designate by notice in writing that the critical worker furlough period is to conclude.
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Inquiry into the Victorian Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic
VIC, Public Accounts and Estimates Committee
The Committee's inquiry into the Victorian Government's response to the COVID.19 pandemic examines the Government's response to the challenges and key issues managed by departments and agencies, the impact of these responses and the outcomes delivered to the Victorian community. In a similar manner to the interim report of this inquiry, the Committee has structured this report so that its chapters align with themes that were identified as relevant to the Government's response during the course of the pandemic
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Hansards
Federal
08 MAR 2022: REPS COMMITTEE HANSARD: Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport - Childhood rheumatic diseases - Sydney
07 MAR 2022: SENATE COMMITTEE HANSARD: Community Affairs References Committee - Provision of general practitioner and related primary health services to outer metropolitan, rural, and regional Australians - Frankston
Tasmania
03 MAR 2022: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Matter of Public Importance - Preventing COVID Mass Infection
03 MAR 2022: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions - COVID-19 - Vaccinations at Pharmacies for Children
01 MAR 2022: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions - COVID-19 - Allowance for Frontline Health Workers
Victoria
09 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Members Statements - Sunbury Community Hospital
09 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice and Ministers Statements - Ministers Statements - Royal Commission Into Victoria’s Mental Health System
09 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice and Ministers Statements - Elective Surgery
09 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Members Statements - Bendigo Health
09 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Matters of Public Importance - Health System
09 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Adjournment - Health and Fitness Industry Support
08 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Members statements - Bush Nursing Hospitals
08 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Bills - Health Legislation Amendment (Quality and Safety) Bill 2021 - Council’s agreement, Royal assent
08 MAR 2022: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Bills - Domestic Animals Amendment (Reuniting Pets and Other Matters) Bill 2021 - Health Legislation Amendment (Quality and Safety) Bill 2021 - Royal Assent
08 MAR 2022: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Adjournment - Angliss Hospital maternity ward lift
08 MAR 2022: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Adjournment - Youth mental health services
08 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Motions - Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System
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Court Cases
Federal
National Disability Insurance Scheme Division - HSPS and National Disability Insurance Agency [2022] AATA 321
25 FEB 2022: Catchwords: National Disability Insurance Scheme - Access to the scheme
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National Disability Insurance Scheme Division - VCHG and National Disability Insurance Agency [2022] AATA 308
24 FEB 2022: Catchwords: National disability insurance scheme - Reasonable and necessary supports
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New Regulations
Federal
Therapeutic Goods (Standard for Human Cell and Tissue Products - Donor Screening Requirements) (TGO 108) Amendment Order 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00284
The Therapeutic Goods (Standard for Human Cell and Tissue Products-Donor Screening Requirements) (TGO 108) Order 2021 ("the Principal Order") is made under section 10 of the Act and establishes a ministerial standard for therapeutic goods that comprise, contain or are derived from human cells or human tissues, specifying minimum requirements for the quality and safety of such products in respect of donor screening. Subsection 10(3A) of the Act provides that the Minister may, by legislative instrument, vary or revoke an order made under subsection 10(1) of the Act.
Explanatory Statement
Statement of Principles concerning Vaccine-Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopaenia (Balance of Probabilities) (No. 34 of 2022)
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00269
The Statement of Principles will be applied in determining claims under the VEA and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (the MRCA). The Statement of Principles sets out the factors that must exist, and which of those factors must be related to the following kinds of service rendered by a person:
- eligible war service (other than operational service) under the VEA;
- defence service (other than hazardous service and British nuclear test defence service) under the VEA;
- peacetime service under the MRCA,
Explanatory Statement
Statement of Principles concerning Vaccine-Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopaenia (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 33 of 2022)
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00268
The Repatriation Commission, Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, Veterans' Review Board or Administrative Appeals Tribunal cannot Authorised Version Explanatory Statement registered 04/03/2022 to F2022L00268 Page 2 of 4 accept any claim for pension; or a claim for liability or compensation relating to vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopaenia or death from vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopaenia that was lodged on or after 1 June 1994 in the case of the VEA, or 1 July 2004 in the case of the MRCA respectively, unless this Statement of Principles upholds that claim (subsection 120A(3) of the VEA or subsection 338(3) of the MRCA).
Explanatory Statement
New South Wales
02 MAR 2022: NSW, HAZZARD: Legislation - Regulations and other miscellaneous instruments - Public Health Amendment (COVID-19 Penalty Notice Offences) Regulation 2022 - Public Health Act 2010 - 2022-63
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Proclamations
None this edition.
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Gazette Notices
New South Wales
04 MAR 2022: NSW GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. 84: Government Notices - Health and Education
Victoria
10 MAR 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 10: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI - Pandemic COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Specified Workers) Order 2022 (No. 5)
10 MAR 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 10: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI - Guidance for the Pandemic COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Specified Workers) Order 2022 (No. 5)
10 MAR 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 10: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI - Pandemic (Additional Industry Obligations) Order 2022 (No. 8)
10 MAR 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 10: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI - Pandemic (Workplace) Order 2022 (No. 6)
10 MAR 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 10: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI - Guidance for the Pandemic (Workplace) Order 2022 (No. 6)
10 MAR 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 10: 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. 8)
10 MAR 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 10: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI - Guidance for the Pandemic (Movement and Gathering) Order 2022 (No. 4)
10 MAR 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 10: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165AI - Guidance for the Pandemic COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Specified Facilities) Order 2022 (No. 6)
10 MAR 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 10: 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. 6)
10 MAR 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 10: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Health Complaints Act 2016 - Section 90 - Interim Prohibition Order
10 MAR 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 10: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - Section 165CE(2) - Order - Independent Pandemic Management Advisory Committee
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Consolidated Legislation
National Health (Pharmaceutical benefits-early supply) Instrument 2015
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00267
PB 120 of 2015 Other as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Pharmaceutical benefits - early supply) Amendment Instrument 2022 (No. 2)
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Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical - Expansion of GP and Allied Health Chronic Disease Management Services for Care Recipients of a Residential Aged Care Facility) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00257
Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Section 3C General Medical Services - Telehealth and Phone GP Fee Alignment) Determination 2021
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New Bills
None this edition.
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New Acts
Queensland
An Act to amend the Ambulance Service Act 1991, the Criminal Code, the Environmental Protection Act 1994, the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011, the Mental Health Act 2016, the Public Health (Infection Control for Personal Appearance Services) Act 2003, the Radiation Safety Act 1999, the Termination of Pregnancy Act 2018, the Transplantation and Anatomy Act 1979 and the legislation mentioned in schedule 1 for particular purposes.
The Act amends the following Acts to improve the operation of health portfolio legislation and support the provision of health services in Queensland:
Ambulance Service Act 1991 to ensure the framework for managing confidential information is robust, clear and aligned with the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 and to remove the requirement for the Queensland Ambulance Service Commissioner to be no older than 65 years of age;
Environmental Protection Act 1994 to provide that development carried out or use of premises that causes environmental nuisance, is not an offence under the Environmental Protection Act to the extent it has been assessed and is explicitly regulated by a requirement of an infrastructure designation by the Planning Minister under the Planning Act 2016;
Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 to enable allied health professionals to access The Viewer to achieve better health outcomes for patients, and allow designated persons and prescribed health professionals to disclose confidential information to a person performing functions under the Mental Health Act 2016;
Mental Health Act to:
- clarify how the Mental Health Court can proceed if there is a dispute of facts on which an expert has based their opinion;
- improve the process for approving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) by providing additional protections and ensuring patients' views, wishes and preferences are taken into account to the greatest extent practicable;
- ensure the provisions about apprehension and transfer of absent patients are effective and align with least restrictive practice;
- clarify the requirements for the interstate transfer of patients who have been placed under a forensic or treatment support order;
- promote a stronger rights-based approach for decisions about patient transfers between services;
- allow the Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT) to approve requests for international transfers of patients who have been placed under a forensic or treatment support order;
- strengthen the confidentiality provisions to ensure the obligations for all people performing functions under the Mental Health Act are clear and consistent;
- extend the duty of confidentiality to experts engaged to provide reports to the Mental Health Court or MHRT;
- improve support for victims of unlawful acts; and
- make other minor amendments to improve the operation of the Mental Health Act;
Public Health (Infection Control for Personal Appearance Services) Act 2003 to improve the operation of the Act in relation to the restoration and renewal of business licences;
Radiation Safety Act 1999 to remove the requirement to prescribe identity verification documents by regulation for particular applications, with identity requirements to be included in departmental policies, informed by the National Identity Proofing Guidelines;
Termination of Pregnancy Act 2018 and the Criminal Code Act 1899 to allow students registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (National Law) who are undertaking a clinical placement with a health service to assist in a termination of pregnancy;
Transplantation and Anatomy Act 1979 to exclude human milk from the definition of tissue in the Act, to ensure sick and pre-term infants can be efficiently provided donated human milk to prevent or treat serious health conditions; and
Corrective Services Act 2006 and Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 to make consequential amendments to remove references to the repealed Health Act 1937 and the Pest Management Act 2001 following the commencement of the Medicines and Poisons Act 2019.
Intro 01/12/21, Referred to Health and Environment Committee 1/12/21, Report due TBA, 2R 23/02/22, 24/02/22, Passed (with amendments) 24/02/22
Assent 08/03/22, Act No. 1 of 2022
Commencement: The following provisions commence on a day to be fixed by proclamation-
- part 3;
- schedule 1, part 2.
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