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)

23 April

Boosting health and disability worker numbers during the coronavirus
The Government is making further changes to student visa work conditions to help boost frontline health efforts to tackle coronavirus. Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge said the measures build on the Prime Minister's announcement that international student nurses would be exempt from the restrictions. Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the changes would ensure Australia has the health workforce available to continue Australia's coronavirus success. Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Stuart Robert said the additional hours for students in the disability sector builds on existing measures already enacted for the pandemic.
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COVID-19: rapid response boost for Australia's intensive care units
Ensuring Australian hospitals are able to respond rapidly in the event of increased patient demand during the COVID-19 health emergency is a national priority. Minister Hunt announced the Government has funded and launched the Critical Health Resource Information System (CHRIS) that will operate in all public and private hospitals with Intensive Care Units (ICU). Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth said this initiative future proofed Australia's world-class healthcare system in the event of peak demand.
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Healthcare workers with covid-19: Most contract it away from work
COVID-19 is very uncommon in Australian healthcare workers at present, and the large majority of those who have contracted COVID-19 have done so away from work, according to the authors of an article published by the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA). 'A clinic was established to screen staff from Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) and neighbouring hospitals who had developed a fever or new respiratory symptoms,' wrote the authors, led by Dr Stephen Muhi, an infectious diseases physician. 'A targeted history was taken and a swab was performed according to public health department recommendations at the time'.
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Questions for Morrison Government over slow action at Newmarch House
Shadow Minister for Ageing and Seniors Julie Collins said the Minister for Aged Care must answer questions about why Newmarch House has not been properly staffed with deeply concerning reports of resident neglect. 'It is clear the Government's 'surge workforce' plan failed and is now being deployed too late. It has been more than a week since the first cases of COVID-19 were reported at Newmarch House. Why has it taken so long for the Morrison Government to act?' said Ms Collins. 'In the meantime there have been reports of residents being left to bleed on the ground after falls and another being sent into a diabetic attack'.
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Morrison Government must do more to support veterans through the Coronavirus crisis
Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel Shayne Neumann said Labor welcomes the Government's health and financial assistance for veterans and their families in response to the COVID-19 health emergency. 'However, in the lead-up to Anzac Day, the Government needs to do more to assist Australia's veterans and the organisations that support them' said Mr Neumann. 'Labor welcomes Telehealth coverage for veterans, but the Government will need to ensure there is adequate support for allied and mental health services to meet high levels of demand from current and ex-service personnel during the current crisis'.
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ACT: COVID-19 testing criteria expanded for two weeks
The ACT Government is expanding its COVID-19 testing criteria for the next two weeks get an even better view of the situation in the community. Expanded testing will begin on Friday 24 April. ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the ACT's designated COVID-19 testing sites will be taking samples from all symptomatic people who present over the next two weeks. 'Canberrans have been doing an incredible job in helping us stop the spread of COVID-19 and we have now only uncovered one confirmed case in the past nine days,' Minister Stephen-Smith said.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
As at 8pm, Wednesday 22 April 2020, an additional five cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed since 8pm 21 April, bringing the total to 2,976 announced NSW Health. There have been no further deaths in NSW over the reporting period. There have now been 2,006 people that have recovered from COVID-19 in NSW. There are currently 219 COVID-19 cases being treated by NSW Health. This includes 21 people being treated in Intensive Care Units, with 15 of those requiring ventilators.
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QLD: Point of Care Serology Tests Direction
The Queensland Department of Health said a person must not use a point of care serological (blood) test (including an assay, test or device) to detect or diagnose COVID-19, unless they:
- provide pathology services for Pathology Queensland; or
- provide public health services for the Queensland Department of Health or a Hospital and Health Service; or
- provide pathology services as a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited medical pathology service with scope of accreditation in microbiology.
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22 April

Senate inquiry into COVID-19 response to get underway this week
The Senate Select Committee on COVID-19 will hold its first public hearing this Thursday, 23 April 2020. The Committee has resolved to focus on the Australian Government's health and economic response in the initial hearings, said Senator James Paterson. Chair, Senator Katy Gallagher will attend the hearing in Parliament House along with Dr Murphy while other Committee members will attend via either video conference or teleconference
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Ethical prescribing: Hydroxychloroquine for family and friends during COVID-19?
Should a doctor prescribe hydroxychloroquine for family and friends to treat COVID-19? According to an editorial published in Australian Prescriber, the answer should be 'no', from medical, ethical and possibly even legal perspectives. Hydroxychloroquine is a medicine approved in Australia to treat malaria as well as some autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. It has received much media attention about its potential use for treating COVID-19. It is, however, not approved to treat or prevent COVID-19.
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ACT: COVID-19 update - 22 April 2020
There have been no new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the ACT in the past 24 hours. The ACT's total is still 104. A total of 93 cases have recovered from COVID-19 and have been released from self-isolation, announced the ACT Department of Health. There is currently one (1) COVID-19 patient in the Canberra Hospital. The remainder are isolating at home with ACT Health support ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman thanked Canberrans for their continued efforts but emphasised the importance of social distancing.
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ACT: More support for Canberrans living with disability during COVID-19
Canberrans living with disability will have greater support after the National Cabinet approved the Management and Operational Plan for People with Disability. ACT Minister for Disability, Suzanne Orr said that the ACT Government recognises the substantial impact of COVID-19 on people with disability and disability service providers. 'We know that people with disability have specific needs and support that cannot be addressed without a direct, targeted plan. That's why it was so crucial for both health and disability sectors to work out this strategy, to make sure that essential services continue uninterrupted during this period,' Minister Orr said.
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QLD: COVID-19 data live online
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk along with Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles and Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young announced the launch of a new Queensland COVID-19 data website. The Premier said the website would breakdown regional data by Local Government Area, giving communities more oversight of their local cases. 'This website will be the single source of truth for all Queensland COVID-19 data drawn from across the state,' the Premier said. 'We know the COVID-19 situation is changing daily which is why we prioritised building this data site to keep Queenslanders informed.'
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QLD: COVID-19 - Wed April 22 - More data, crucial legislation, no new cases
New data will give communities more oversight of local cases, as important bills are debated in Parliament and no new infections are confirmed for the second time in three days. There remain 280 active cases with 738 recoveries and six deaths for a total of 1024. 'So well done Queensland, this is just the news that we need, two zero cases, and we are really on track to be smashing that curve,' Queensland Premier Palaszczuk said.
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QLD: Palaszczuk Government delivers support for health, jobs and business
Emergency measures to support Queenslanders, the business community and the industries which will deliver the State back to economic prosperity have been passed by Parliament. Queensland Treasurer Jackie Trad said the Appropriation (COVID-19) Bill 2020 provides additional funding of more than $4 billion over two years to protect Queensland during the coronavirus pandemic. 'The COVID-19 crisis is causing unprecedented economic and fiscal challenges all over the world,' Ms Trad said.
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WA: COVID-19 update - 22 April 2020
The Western Australian Department of Health has reported no new cases of COVID-19. Western Australia's total number of confirmed cases remains at 546. Of those, 451 have now recovered. WA has 88 active cases - eight of those are in the regions where 52 people have recovered to date. There are currently 25 confirmed COVID-19 patients in Perth metropolitan hospitals, five of whom are in ICU. To date 30,594 Western Australians have tested negative for COVID-19. Of those, 5,350 are in regional WA.
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21 April

Update on Coronavirus Measures
The National Cabinet met to take further decisions to save lives, and to save livelihoods, said Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The Chief Medical Officer Dr Brendan Murphy provided an update on the measures underway, the latest data and medical advice in relation to COVID-19. 'There are more than 6,600 confirmed cases in Australia and sadly 71 people have died' said the Prime Minister. 'Australia will continue to progress a successful suppression/elimination strategy for the virus'. National Cabinet noted data that confirms the measures put in place to suppress the virus have largely been successful in slowing and reversing the growth of cases in Australia, to ensure the health system has the capability to manage the epidemic.
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Elective surgery restrictions eased
The Government in partnership with states and territories, peak surgical bodies, the AMA and the private hospital sector will be increasing the availability of elective surgery in a safe and carefully considered way which ensures the wellbeing of both patients and healthcare workers, said Minister Hunt. This is possible due to the strong collaboration across governments to build capacity and strengthen the health system to reduce the threat of COVID-19, said Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy. Through their containment measures they have successfully suppressed the virus: closing the borders, testing, tracing, and in particular, the social distancing and the isolation, said Deputy Chief Medical Officer Nick Coatsworth.
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3000 more ventilators delivered to COVID-19 stockpile
More than 3000 ventilators have been delivered to the Government from Australian manufacturing company ResMed to assist in the response to the coronavirus pandemic. This represents more than half of the 5500 ventilators purchased from ResMed by the Government for the COVID-19 Stockpile. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the delivery from ResMed follows extensive work across Government. Minister Hunt said the more than 3000 ventilators delivered by ResMed with 2500 more to come, builds on the 4400 existing units in Australia and a further 2000 being manufactured by Grey Innovation - another Aussie company - and its consortium of local manufacturers and engineering firms.
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COVID-19 test kits included on the ARTG for legal supply in Australia
The Department of Health and the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) has approved the following tests for inclusion on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG):
- 2019-n-CoV IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette
- Lateral Flow IgG/IgM
- 2019-nCoV Ab Test (Colloidal Gold)
- 2019-nCoV Ab Test (Colloidal Gold).
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NCCC sets up expert group to help keep workplaces safe through COVID-19
The National COVID-19 Coordination Commission (NCCC) announced the establishment of an Industrial Relations Working Group to help as many businesses as possible to operate and keep their employees and customers safe through the COVID-19 crisis. 'The very necessary restrictions in place to protect people's lives mean that businesses need to adapt and restructure how they operate to maintain their businesses, and the jobs they provide,' said NCCC Chair Nev Power. 'Making sure there are appropriate physical distancing and other measures in place in workplaces to protect customers and workers is critical, both for those businesses and services still operating now, but also to ensure a successful return to business for others as restrictions are gradually lifted.'
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Aged care taking strong action to protect vulnerable people
Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) has responded to comments made by the Prime Minister and Chief Medical Officer, saying the sector is taking strong action to control the spread of the virus and protect the vulnerable people in its care. The Commonwealth Guidelines & State directives providers are operating under are all still in place and being complied with. They have not changed. In some cases, individual providers have made difficult decisions to make further restrictions depending on their individual circumstances including location and individual needs of residents. 'We have taken a very strong position in aged care because we are looking after vulnerable people,' CEO of ACSA Patricia Sparrow said.
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Urgent call for blood donations
The Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA) implores all eligible members of the public to donate blood and blood products. Australia needs 29,000 blood donations every week, yet about 900 donors are cancelling appointments each day during the COVID-19 crisis. AMSA has continued its commitment to promoting the annual inter-medical school blood donation competition, Vampire Cup, running from March 15 to May 9 2020. 'Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has seen a substantial decrease in blood donations numbers in response to COVID-19,' Vampire Cup Coordinator, Sylviya Ganeshamoorthy, said.
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Elective surgery restart vindicates anti-COVID strategy
The staged return of some elective surgery announced by the Prime Minister is not only great news for many patients on waiting lists but also a vindication of the cautious measures that have kept COVID-19 at bay, the Consumers Health Forum (CHF) said. 'Now that the COVID surge anticipated in early planning hasn't transpired, we support the resumption of elective surgery on a staged basis starting with those at greatest risk of a worse or emergency outcome if surgery did not proceed,' Leanne Wells, the CEO of the Consumers Health Forum, said. 'A vigilant response to control the spread of COVID in the Australian community has always been essential but continued access to health care for non-COVID related medical conditions is also important.'
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Community Awareness Grants announcement
In light of isolation measures put in place by the Government due to COVID-19, the Organ and Tissue Authority regrets to announce that the 2020 Community Awareness Grant program will not proceed. The health and safety of all Australians is the OTA's utmost priority and the community-based nature of grant activities has informed this difficult decision. To continue supporting community education and awareness activities, the OTA may consider unsolicited or ad hoc requests for funding that meet the Australian Government's current isolation requirements.
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Lack of affordable basics in remote Aboriginal communities undermines COVID-19 response
First Nations Australians in some remote communities are unable to access affordable basic goods and essential items, forcing them to make impossible choices between self-isolating and feeding their families, said Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney. First Nations Australians are particularly vulnerable to serious infection from COVID-19 due to higher rates of chronic illness, said Shadow Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians Warren Snowdon. This threat is more grave for those living in remote communities, said Shadow Assistant Minister for Reconciliation Senator Patrick Dodson. Geography presents a barrier to the availability of personal protection equipment and testing, said Senator for the Northern Territory Senator Malarndirri McCarthy.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
As at 8pm, Monday 20 April 2020, an additional six cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed since 8pm 19 April, bringing the total to 2,969. During that time, 2,502 people were tested. There have been no further deaths related to COVID-19 in the 24 hours up until 8pm Monday 20 April. The New South Wales Department of Health can now confirm the number of people in NSW who have recovered from COVID-19. That figure as at 8pm Monday 20 April is 1,755.
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NSW: Maintaining mental health during a pandemic
Whether you're working from home or from your office, there's no doubt that your life has been impacted by COVID-19, said iCare. From health care practitioners, to social workers, NSW public servants are working hard, despite the current COVID-19 crisis, to ensure that NSW community continues to receive the services and security we all depend on. To support them, Risk Education eXpress (REX) online learning platform is creating a raft of new best practice resources on topics including mental health and working from home.
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NSW: Safeguarding the welfare of older people
Safe Visitor Access campaign launched to help older people in community throughout the COVID-19 crisis. NSW Member for Ballina Tamara Smith announced she is calling on the NSW State Government to urgently provide funding to safeguard the welfare of older people in New South Wales throughout the COVID-19 crisis. 'The recent Interim Report by the Royal Commission into Aged Care and Quality found that the system is severely lacking and neglects older people. During this very challenging time, we must find innovative ways we can do better and ensure older people get the help they need and stay connected with loved ones,' Ms Smith said.
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QLD: Queensland COVID-19 - Tuesday, April 21 - Anzac Day plans
Anzac Day will be commemorated and veterans will be honoured while Queensland's COVID-19 measures continue their effective role in limiting the spread of the virus, with six new cases confirmed. There are now 280 active cases with 738 recoveries and six deaths for a total of 1024. Queensland Premier Palaszczuk said the important social distancing measures mean this Saturday's Anzac Day will be different. She said Queenslanders will have new ways to pay their respects via live broadcasts, new technology and home services.
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QLD: Safeguards in place to minimise Cairns COVID-19 risk
Cairns Hospital staff are being screened for coronavirus (COVID-19) as a precaution after three employees were found to have unknowingly had the disease, said the Queensland Department of Health. The three employees, who all work in the hospital's pathology laboratory, returned positive serology tests. 'Serology testing detects the disease after you have had it, unlike traditional PCR testing which diagnoses the disease while you have it,' Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said. 'The three Cairns Hospital employees who tested positive for COVID-19 had mild or no symptoms and did not realise they had the disease, which is why they did not get tested.'
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WA: New rapid COVID-19 test available for regional communities
Faster turn-around-times in regional areas will be available for urgent cases with the introduction of regional on-site testing analysers for COVID-19 - with results available within an hour, said Western Australian Minister for Health Roger Cook. The analysers will provide testing capability to regional areas of most need, further adding to the State's testing capacity. For the first time, the WA State Government. through PathWest, is installing molecular PCR analysers in select laboratories outside of Perth - the first of which will be located at PathWest Broome, then Kalgoorlie and Geraldton.
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20 April

Australians embrace telehealth to save lives during COVID-19
More than 4.3 million health and medical services have now been delivered to a total of more than three million patients through the telehealth items introduced by the Government for the COVID-19 pandemic, said Minister Hunt. The use of telehealth instead of face-to-face consultations is helping to stop the spread of the virus, protecting both patients and frontline health professionals, and saving lives. The number of telehealth consultations has rapidly expanded, to more than 700,000.
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$52m injection for rural COVID-19 aeromedical retrievals
A $52.8 million aeromedical retrieval package to support rural and remote communities during the COVID- 19 health emergency was announced by Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton. The Government's investment of close to $53 million will increase Australia's aeromedical capacity to evacuate COVID-19 cases in remote areas. 'This package will increase the capacity to evacuate early COVID-19 cases in remote areas and enable a more effective response if an outbreak occurs,' Minister Coulton said. 'COVID-19 is affecting every Australian no matter where they live, and we're putting in place measures that will support regional Australians to get through this pandemic.'
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Gekko Systems makes switch from mining equipment to life-saving ventilators
When Ballarat-based Gekko Systems heard the local medical community was worried about access to ventilators needed to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, the company sprang into action, said the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). Through a combination of business agility, vast community support and state government funding, the METS company is now weeks away from manufacturing up to 1,000 ventilators for distribution across Victoria, Australia and beyond. Co-founded in 1996 by Sandy Gray and Elizabeth Lewis-Gray, Gekko Systems is a mining equipment, technology and services company (METS) specialising in mineral processing equipment.
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CSIRO unlocks new way to understand evolving strains of SARS-COV-2
Researchers from CSIRO have unveiled a new approach to analysing the genetic codes - or the blueprint - of the SARSCoV- 2 virus that causes COVID-19. The findings will help researchers better understand how strains of the virus evolve and help identify new clusters of the virus. Analysing global data on the published genome sequences of this novel coronavirus will help fast track understanding of this complex disease. The researchers developed a novel visualisation platform, underpinned by bioinformatics algorithms originally used to analyse the human genome, to pinpoint differences among the thousands of genetic sequences of the SARSCoV- 2 virus.
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Privacy protections must be built into COVID-19 tracking app
While the Law Council of Australia acknowledges the Government's desire to improve the efficiency of COVID-19 contact tracing arrangements through the roll out of a tracing app, the privacy settings of any such app will require careful scrutiny, with many in the community understandably hesitant about the collection of their personal information by the government. The Law Council believes that both health and privacy can be protected if we are careful and there must be a balance between legitimate efforts to protect public health and individuals' right to privacy. If privacy protections are built-in to the app, it will provide the public with greater confidence.
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National collaboration on wastewater surveillance
Water Research Australia (WaterRA) with the support of Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) is leading an innovative Australia-wide investigation that aims to integrate reliable results of sewage testing for SARS-CoV-2 with COVID-19 health data. Involving experts in health, microbiology, laboratory testing, wastewater-based epidemiology and policy communication, the initiative is a major collaborative effort across water utilities, health departments and researchers, with links to global expertise. The national 'ColoSSoS Project' - Collaboration on Sewage Surveillance of SARSCOV- 2- will track and monitor the presence of the virus that causes COVID- 19 providing information on where it is present in the population.
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ACT: COVID-19 update - 20 April 2020
There has been one new case of COVID-19 recorded in the ACT, said the ACT Department of Health. The ACT's total is now 104. The individual is a male in his 40s who acquired the virus overseas. A total of 91 cases have recovered from COVID-19 and have been released from self-isolation. There is currently one COVID-19 patient in the Canberra Hospital. The remainder are isolating at home with ACT Health support. The ACT has recorded three (3) deaths. The number of negative tests in the ACT is now 6959.
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QLD: Queensland COVID-19 - Monday, April 20 - Zero new cases
Some restrictions may possibly be eased if encouraging results continue, with no new daily cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Queensland for the first time since early March. There remain 275 active cases, with 738 recoveries and six deaths for a total of 1019. Queensland Premier Palaszczuk thanked Queenslanders for an enormous effort. 'If we can keep this up over the coming weeks, I'm sure that will mean we'll be able to make some changes and ease some of those restrictions on the population,' Premier Palaszczuk said.
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WA: COVID-19 update - 20 April 2020
The Western Australian Department of Health has reported no new cases of COVID-19 overnight. The State's total number of cases remains at 545. There are currently 27 confirmed COVID-19 patients in Perth metropolitan hospitals, six of whom are in ICU. To date, 28,924 Western Australians have tested negative for COVID-19. WA has 435 recovered cases, 48 of them from regional WA.
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19 April

SA: SA Pathology fast tracks delivery of COVID-19 test results
South Australians will be able to access COVID-19 results sooner as SA Pathology launches a new digital health service. South Australian Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the service will streamline the process of delivering negative test results, enabling patients the ability to access them from a secure online platform anywhere at any time. 'As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a surge in calls to SA Pathology from patients needing their COVID-19 test results, which has caused some delays,' said Minister Wade.
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TAS: Coronavirus update 19 April 2020
Tasmania has confirmed nine cases of coronavirus, said the Tasmanian Department of Health. This brings the State's total to 197. All of these are from the North West. Two are close contacts of a confirmed case. One is a nursing home resident. Details of the six cases that were diagnosed will be provided later.
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WA: WA launches new plan for 600+ ventilated beds
The Western Australian Government has unveiled a new plan to provide increased ventilated beds and ventilator capacity to the people of Western Australia during the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the health system, said Western Australian Deputy Premier Cook. The plan will bring more than 600 ventilated beds online over three steps - a significant boost from the previous capacity of 111 ventilated beds in public hospitals. A total of 10 additional ventilated beds have already been brought online since March, and these numbers can continue to rise steadily to further strengthen the State's ability to respond to this pandemic.
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WA: COVID-19 update - 19 April 2020
The Western Australian Department of Health has reported a single new case of COVID-19, bringing the State's total to 545. The case - a male in his 50s from the Goldfields - is the contact of an existing confirmed case. As with all new confirmed cases, contact tracing is underway to ensure close contacts are notified and self-isolating. There are currently 28 confirmed COVID-19 patients in Perth metropolitan hospitals, six of whom are in ICU. To date, 28,343 Western Australians have tested negative for COVID-19.
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18 April

58 million face masks arrive to protect health workers from COVID-19
The Government has now received 58 million protective face masks that will help provide essential protection for frontline health workers at risk of COVID-19, said Minister Hunt. The protective face masks have arrived ahead of the scheduled delivery date of the end of April, and in greater numbers than the 54 million previously predicted. They will allow for additional allocations to be released from the National Medical Stockpile to healthcare workers. The masks are a key element of having the health system prepared and in place as they work towards the aim of easing current restrictions.
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ACT: COVID-19 update - 18 April 2020
There have been no new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the ACT in the past 24 hours, said the ACT Department of Health. The ACT's total is still 103. A total of 88 cases have recovered from COVID-19 and have been released from self-isolation. This is now 85% of all confirmed cases in the ACT. There is currently one COVID-19 patient in the Canberra Hospital. The remainder are isolating at home with ACT Health support. The ACT has recorded three (3) deaths. The number of negative tests in the ACT is now 6753.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
As at 8pm, Friday 17 April 2020, an additional 10 cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed since 8pm 16 April, bringing the total to 2,936. There are currently 253 COVID-19 cases being treated by New South Wales Health. This includes 25 people being treated in Intensive Care Units, with 18 of those requiring ventilators. There have been two deaths related to COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
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QLD: Queensland COVID-19 - Saturday, April 18 - Care Army and Virgin Airlines
Care for seniors along with economic stimulus action illustrate the Queensland State Government's twin response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as figures reveal an encouraging number of patients recovering, said Queensland Premier Palaszczuk. There are now 271 active cases including eight new, with 738 recoveries and six deaths for a total of 1015. While businesses large and small do their best during the pandemic, the Queensland State Government has already initiated a $4 billion support package and is now also offering to help keep Virgin Airlines flying. $200 million is available, conditional on federal government backing, debt restructuring, shareholders and bond holders doing their bit, headquarters remaining in Brisbane and ongoing regional flights.
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QLD: Queensland novel coronavirus (COVID-19) update
Queensland Health can confirm a sixth Queenslander has passed away from COVID-19. The 83-year-old man passed away in New South Wales. The man contracted the disease after recently returning from a cruise. Queensland has nine new confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) raising the state total to 1015. Contact tracing is underway for the eight new cases. Queensland Health will notify the community if any other public health alerts are required.
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17 April

NSW: $15-million COVID-19 ward fast-tracked for royal north shore
A purpose-built COVID-19 recovery ward at Royal North Shore Hospital will be the first major project underway as part of $100 million worth of health infrastructure being fast-tracked by the NSW State Government. The ward with more than 40 beds will cater to patients who are recovering from COVID-19 and require ongoing care before they are cleared to go home. New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the new ward was another step in the operation to bolster the State's vital health infrastructure in the battle against COVID-19. New South Wales Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the Royal North Shore project was part of NSW Health's Pandemic Plan to boost resources across the State.
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NT: The Ross opens in Alice Springs
The Central Australia Health Service (CAHS) has established The Ross facility to assist with the isolation of suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Central Australia, said the NT Department of Health. 'The Central Australian Aboriginal Alcohol Programs Unit has entered into an Agreement with CAHS for annexure of existing infrastructure currently not being used,' said Sue Korner, CAHS Chief Operating Officer. 'The CAAAPU board has approved the arrangement, but this is not a CAAAPU facility. The facility is located on the Ross Highway and fenced off from the CAAAPU operation.'
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QLD: Queensland COVID-19 - Friday, April 17 - The Economy and the Future
Queensland's economy after COVID-19 will benefit from works such as a $10 billion gas project, as the number of new cases (6) sits in single figures for the seventh day in a row. There are now 560 active cases with 442 recoveries and five deaths for a total of 1007. Queensland Premier Palaszczuk said the Queensland Government was focused on both the health and economic impacts of the pandemic. 'Arrow Energy's commitment to its Surat Gas Project is fantastic news and just what Queensland needs during this time,' Premier Palaszczuk said.
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TAS: Seventh coronavirus death in Tasmania
'I'm deeply saddened to confirm a seventh Tasmanian has died from coronavirus,' said Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein. 'The 72 year old man tragically has passed away at the Mersey Community Hospital, where he was being cared for. On behalf of the Government, I extend my deepest condolences to the man's family, friends and loved ones. This is another sad reminder that this disease takes lives, and we must do everything we can to contain the spread of coronavirus.'
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Aged Care

23 April

Questions for Morrison Government over slow action at Newmarch House
Shadow Minister for Ageing and Seniors Julie Collins said the Minister for Aged Care must answer questions about why Newmarch House has not been properly staffed with deeply concerning reports of resident neglect. 'It is clear the Government's 'surge workforce' plan failed and is now being deployed too late. It has been more than a week since the first cases of COVID-19 were reported at Newmarch House. Why has it taken so long for the Morrison Government to act?' said Ms Collins. 'In the meantime there have been reports of residents being left to bleed on the ground after falls and another being sent into a diabetic attack'.
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22 April

Free COVID-19 support line for Senior Australians
Senior Australians, their families and carers can now call a dedicated free call support line aimed at supporting the mental health of those impacted by the spread of COVID-19. Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck said talking to someone who understands and listens was an important outlet for anybody struggling to cope as the spread of the virus creates additional pressure on individuals and communities. Established by the Government in conjunction with the Council on the Ageing Australia, National Seniors Australia, the Older Persons Advocacy Network and Dementia Australia, the phone line will be staffed with advisers who can offer practical help and advice.
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Care for residents of Newmarch House a priority
The health, safety and wellbeing of residents of Anglicare's Newmarch House remains the highest priority as the battle to combat COVID-19 continues. Minister Colbeck has moved to assure residents, staff and families affected by the impact of the virus at the Sydney facility that the situation is being closely monitored. 'We understand the concerns from families regarding their loved ones,' Minister Colbeck said. 'We are listening and acting on advice during this challenging and unprecedented event.'
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New hotline for older Australians during COVID-19 pandemic launched
A new COVID-19 hotline will help older Australians get the critical information they need to stay healthy and safe during the pandemic, providing an accessible one-stop source for personal support, questions and up-to-date guidelines. Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia, National Seniors Australia, Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) and Dementia Australia have banded together, supported by the Commonwealth Government, to create the National COVID Older Persons Information Line. Older people and carers are encouraged to call 1800 171 866 to speak to friendly, specially trained staff from a senior's advocacy organisation.
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21 April

Aged care taking strong action to protect vulnerable people
Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) has responded to comments made by the Prime Minister and Chief Medical Officer, saying the sector is taking strong action to control the spread of the virus and protect the vulnerable people in its care. The Commonwealth Guidelines & State directives providers are operating under are all still in place and being complied with. They have not changed. In some cases, individual providers have made difficult decisions to make further restrictions depending on their individual circumstances including location and individual needs of residents. 'We have taken a very strong position in aged care because we are looking after vulnerable people,' CEO of ACSA Patricia Sparrow said.
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Reaffirmation of aged care visit guidelines must bring an end to insensitive restrictions
National Cabinet's reaffirmation that residential aged care providers should not restrict family visit access to residential aged care beyond the existing advice of National Cabinet has been strongly welcomed by Dementia Australia. The announcement must pave the way for rolling back the excessive, inflexible and inhumane lockdown measures that a minority of aged care facilities have implemented which have been harmful to the health and wellbeing of aged care residents and their families. Prime Minister Scott Morrison's speech carried a 'strong reminder that the National Cabinet decision was not to shut people off'.
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NSW: Safeguarding the welfare of older people
Safe Visitor Access campaign launched to help older people in community throughout the COVID-19 crisis. NSW Member for Ballina Tamara Smith announced she is calling on the NSW State Government to urgently provide funding to safeguard the welfare of older people in New South Wales throughout the COVID-19 crisis. 'The recent Interim Report by the Royal Commission into Aged Care and Quality found that the system is severely lacking and neglects older people. During this very challenging time, we must find innovative ways we can do better and ensure older people get the help they need and stay connected with loved ones,' Ms Smith said.
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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

22 April

QLD: CREATE-ive help for kids in care during COVID-19
The Queensland State Government has announced more than $60,000 in funding for the CREATE Foundation to help them connect with kids in care and check on them during COVID-19 restrictions. Queensland Minister for Child Safety Di Farmer said the unseen impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic meant it was important to ensure that vulnerable children are okay and that their needs are being met. 'During times of crisis, children living in out-of-home care are particularly vulnerable to an increase in depression, anxiety and mental health issues that come with being isolated,' Minister Farmer said. 'This new service will check on these children and young people and provide them with information and referrals to support services.'
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Clinical Governance

None this edition.

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Construction and Health Infrastructure

None this edition.

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Dental

20 April

Disability Act gazettal continues for Victorian residential services
In 2019, the Victorian Government introduced legislative changes designed to provide tenancy protections to people living in Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). These changes moved SDA tenancy rules from the Disability Act 2006 to the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (RTA) under Part 12 A. With the assumption that properties would be ready to successfully transition to the requirements of the RTA, all properties registered under the Disability Act were automatically de-gazetted from the Disability Act and residential statements became void on 1 January 2020. These changes have been problematic, and resulted in some people with disability being ineligible for either of the two lease options under the RTA, said the National Disability Scheme (NDS).
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WA: Essential shopping service launches for people with disability in WA
Cahoots, in partnership with the Western Australian Department of Communities, NDS, suppliers and retail partners including supermarkets and pharmacies, is launching Cahoots Connects: an essential shopping service to assist those living with a disability, people facing other exceptional challenges, and older West Australians with their shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cahoots Connects is free to eligible members of the WA community, and those eligible need only pay for their goods purchased. The Service offers next day deliveries, and a dedicated team will even unpack if this is required and it is safe to do, during these challenging times.
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Disabilities

23 April

Boosting health and disability worker numbers during the coronavirus
The Government is making further changes to student visa work conditions to help boost frontline health efforts to tackle coronavirus. Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge said the measures build on the Prime Minister's announcement that international student nurses would be exempt from the restrictions. Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the changes would ensure Australia has the health workforce available to continue Australia's coronavirus success. Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Stuart Robert said the additional hours for students in the disability sector builds on existing measures already enacted for the pandemic.
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$400 Million for frontline NDIS services in NSW
Minister Robert announced $400 million in grants to deliver frontline Local Area Coordination Services for the NDIS in New South Wales. The Partners in the Community grants program identifies organisations to deliver Local Area Coordination (LAC) Services to NDIS participants on behalf of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Mr Robert said the grant round had seen a high quality of applicants with two organisations retaining services, as well as a number of new partners also engaged to begin delivery from 1 July.
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22 April

VIC: Carers need more respite during COVID-19
More support needs to be provided to carers and families of those with special needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Victorian Shadow Minister for Carers and Disability Tim Bull. At what's already a difficult time as Victorians self-isolate to stop the spread of COVID-19, with day care programs and other services closed, it's pushing families to breaking point as they have lost that critical break time that allowed them to recharge the batteries. With all providers having to end group sessions, some have moved to establish more one-on-one sessions for those most in need of support, but it appears some providers are offering little or no supports at all to those most in need after cancelling group sessions.
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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

20 April

Supporting small businesses through Live Better at Home
Medibank is providing small businesses and community organisations in the health and wellbeing space with an online platform to showcase their expertise and talents nationally, as part of an expansion of the Live Better at Home program. In response to social distancing and self-isolation, Medibank launched a free online program of workout videos, cooking demonstrations and guided meditations last month for people to do from the comfort of their own home. In the first four weeks of the program, they've had more than 82,000 views of content with stretching guides and Pilates the most popular.
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Education and Training

21 April

Final-year med students benefiting from real-life COVID-19 learnings
Despite some disruption, medical students have benefited from witnessing the health systems approach to the COVID-19 pandemic and have demonstrated their commitment to health care and their chosen career, according to the authors of an article published by the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA). The authors, from the Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, and the Flinders Medical Student Society, wrote that they 'remained committed to providing medical students with clinical placements'. Given the longer-term response to COVID-19 is unknown, removing students from clinical placements may not prepare them for their career in health care and may have significant implications for future workforce planning.
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Funding

24 April

Additional $6 million to support drug and alcohol services during COVID-19
Minister for Health Greg Hunt announced online and phone support services for people experiencing drug and alcohol problems will receive an additional $6 million from the Government during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (NOFASD) Australia will deliver a COVID-19 Alcohol and Pregnancy campaign addressing increased alcohol consumption leading to unplanned alcohol-exposed (FASD) pregnancies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign will be implemented largely via social media and target women impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, particularly social isolation and quarantine.
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Health Professionals

23 April

Boosting health and disability worker numbers during the coronavirus
The Government is making further changes to student visa work conditions to help boost frontline health efforts to tackle coronavirus. Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge said the measures build on the Prime Minister's announcement that international student nurses would be exempt from the restrictions. Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the changes would ensure Australia has the health workforce available to continue Australia's coronavirus success. Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Stuart Robert said the additional hours for students in the disability sector builds on existing measures already enacted for the pandemic.
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Healthcare workers with covid-19: Most contract it away from work
COVID-19 is very uncommon in Australian healthcare workers at present, and the large majority of those who have contracted COVID-19 have done so away from work, according to the authors of an article published by the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA). 'A clinic was established to screen staff from Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) and neighbouring hospitals who had developed a fever or new respiratory symptoms,' wrote the authors, led by Dr Stephen Muhi, an infectious diseases physician. 'A targeted history was taken and a swab was performed according to public health department recommendations at the time'.
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22 April

VIC: Elective surgeries to increase after ANZAC Day weekend
Victoria's public and private hospitals will begin doing more elective surgeries, where it is safe to do so, following a slowdown of new coronavirus cases. Victorian Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos announced the reintroduction of more category two and some category three elective surgeries across Victoria's public and private hospitals from 27 April. This could include IVF procedures, post-cancer reconstruction procedures, eye procedures and cataracts, endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures, some dental procedures, joint replacements including knee, hip and shoulder and screening programs for cancer and other diseases.
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WA: Elective surgery to resume in Western Australia
Western Australian public and private hospitals will resume a quarter of their usual elective surgery activity from Tuesday (April 28). The decision to reinstate elective surgery in a careful and staged approach has been made possible following the success of public health measures implemented in response to COVID-19; the acquisition of significant stocks of PPE; and continued low numbers of COVID-19 cases. Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan and Western Australian Minister for Health Roger Cook said 'elective surgery patients can be assured that there are suitable processes in place to ensure their safety from COVID-19 in our hospitals.'
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21 April

Elective surgery restrictions eased
The Government in partnership with states and territories, peak surgical bodies, the AMA and the private hospital sector will be increasing the availability of elective surgery in a safe and carefully considered way which ensures the wellbeing of both patients and healthcare workers, said Minister Hunt. This is possible due to the strong collaboration across governments to build capacity and strengthen the health system to reduce the threat of COVID-19, said Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy. Through their containment measures they have successfully suppressed the virus: closing the borders, testing, tracing, and in particular, the social distancing and the isolation, said Deputy Chief Medical Officer Nick Coatsworth.
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QLD: Elective surgeries need to be scaled up in Queensland private hospitals
Following news that there were no new cases of coronavirus in Queensland, the Queensland State Opposition is calling on Queensland to up-scale elective surgeries in private hospitals. Queensland Shadow Minister for Health Ros Bates said that non-emergency elective surgeries and important cancer screenings should come back on-line as quickly as possible. 'Queenslanders have done an amazing job at flattening the curve and we should take great pride in that,' Shadow Minister Bates said. 'As a nurse I know that while we can't be complacent, not is the time we should be re-starting surgeries to focus on better patient care.'
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TAS: More graduate nurses start their career in Tasmania
More Tasmanians are starting their careers in health system at a time when we need them most. 'We know how important it is to provide opportunities for new graduates as they are the next generation of our health workforce,' said Tasmanian Minister for Health Sarah Courtney. 'I am delighted that the latest round of more than 100 new graduate nurses under the THS Transition to Practice program commenced with southern THS services, including the RHH, community services and in mental health.'
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20 April

Australians embrace telehealth to save lives during COVID-19
More than 4.3 million health and medical services have now been delivered to a total of more than three million patients through the telehealth items introduced by the Government for the COVID-19 pandemic, said Minister Hunt. The use of telehealth instead of face-to-face consultations is helping to stop the spread of the virus, protecting both patients and frontline health professionals, and saving lives. The number of telehealth consultations has rapidly expanded, to more than 700,000.
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AMA proposes steps for resumption of elective surgery
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has been in contact with the Government to propose steps needed for the resumption of elective surgery - initially for low-risk, high-patient-benefit procedures. Elective surgery in Australia was suspended in Australia in March to free up beds and health workers to cater for an anticipated surge in COVID-19 patients, and to save scarce personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gowns, and gloves. AMA President, Dr Tony Bartone, said that doctors should be supported to make clinical decisions about which surgeries can proceed in the best interests of patient and clinician wellbeing and safety.
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19 April

NSW: $5000 on-the-spot fine to protect all workers
Anyone coughing or spitting on any worker will face a $5000 on-the-spot fine with tough measures introduced to protect health care staff and police now extended to all workers. New South Wales Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said anyone at work or travelling to or from work would be protected, after several recent incidents involving retail and transport workers. Minister Hazzard made a Ministerial Direction under the Public Health Act 2010 allowing NSW Police to issue $5000 on-the-spot fines to anyone who coughs or spits on health workers, police, pharmacists, paramedics or other public officials.
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WA: WA launches new plan for 600+ ventilated beds
The WA State Government has unveiled a new plan to provide increased ventilated beds and ventilator capacity to the people of Western Australia during the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the health system, said Western Australian Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Roger Cook. The plan will bring more than 600 ventilated beds online over three steps - a significant boost from the previous capacity of 111 ventilated beds in public hospitals. A total of 10 additional ventilated beds have already been brought online since March, and these numbers can continue to rise steadily to further strengthen the State's ability to respond to this pandemic.
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18 April

58 million face masks arrive to protect health workers from COVID-19
The Government has now received 58 million protective face masks that will help provide essential protection for frontline health workers at risk of COVID-19, said Minister Hunt. The protective face masks have arrived ahead of the scheduled delivery date of the end of April, and in greater numbers than the 54 million previously predicted. They will allow for additional allocations to be released from the National Medical Stockpile to healthcare workers. The masks are a key element of having the health system prepared and in place as they work towards the aim of easing current restrictions.
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Hospitals

23 April

COVID-19: rapid response boost for Australia's intensive care units
Ensuring Australian hospitals are able to respond rapidly in the event of increased patient demand during the COVID-19 health emergency is a national priority. Minister for Health Greg Hunt announced the Government has funded and launched the Critical Health Resource Information System (CHRIS) that will operate in all public and private hospitals with Intensive Care Units (ICU). Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth said this initiative future proofed Australia's world-class healthcare system in the event of peak demand.
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SA: Protecting vulnerable South Australians from COVID-19
Eligible patients undergoing cancer treatment at the Royal Adelaide Hospital are now able to receive chemotherapy at home, in an effort to reduce the need for vulnerable people to attend hospital during the coronavirus pandemic. South Australian Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said this was one of a number of measures to help reduce the risk, especially given that the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) is the primary site for providing hospital care to COVID-19 patients. 'Ensuring vulnerable South Australians are protected from unnecessary travel and exposure is part of the Marshall Liberal Government's strong plan to protect the community during the coronavirus pandemic,' Minister Wade said.
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21 April

$19.75m loan to build a six-level car park for Townsville hospital
A new six-level car park at the centre of ongoing upgrades to the Mater Private Hospital in Townsville is to be built with the assistance of a $19.75 million loan backed by the Government. The loan, provided through the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), will fund the building of the car park at the hospital's Pimlico campus. Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt said the investment would improve the hospital's capacity to serve the people of North Queensland. Assistant Minister for Northern Australia Michelle Landry said NAIF is delivering key job-creating projects in Queensland. Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson said the project was another example of the NAIF delivering much-needed infrastructure for Townsville.
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Patients the priority in elective surgery reboot
Patient safety and wellbeing is central to the staged return to elective surgery agreed by the National Cabinet, said Australian Private Hospitals Association's (APHA) CEO Michael Roff. 'Private hospitals welcome the controlled return of elective surgery, which must be conducted so patients, health care workers and other hospital staff are as safe as possible. A phased reintroduction will allow hospitals to minimise risk to patients, monitor use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure we maintain capacity in the system to address the pandemic if it is required.'
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Elective surgery restart vindicates anti-COVID strategy
The staged return of some elective surgery announced by the Prime Minister is not only great news for many patients on waiting lists but also a vindication of the cautious measures that have kept COVID-19 at bay, the Consumers Health Forum (CHF) said. 'Now that the COVID surge anticipated in early planning hasn't transpired, we support the resumption of elective surgery on a staged basis starting with those at greatest risk of a worse or emergency outcome if surgery did not proceed,' Leanne Wells, the CEO of the Consumers Health Forum, said. 'A vigilant response to control the spread of COVID in the Australian community has always been essential but continued access to health care for non-COVID related medical conditions is also important.'
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A Statement on the Opening of the RHH K-block
'I welcome the opening of K-Block to patients at the Royal Hobart Hospital,' said Independent Member for Clark Andrew Wilkie. 'I'm proud to have secured the $340m federal contribution from the Government when I was elected in 2010 and found myself in the balance of power. This grant was added to in 2012 when I secured another $325m for the Tasmanian health system. Regrettably this project has been a comedy of errors with design changes, schedule slippages and cost overruns that really should have cost at least two Tasmanian Health Ministers their jobs.'
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Insurance

23 April

Private health is still not worth it for many Australians: CHOICE
As Federal and State Governments open up elective surgeries, consumer advocate CHOICE is warning Australians they may still not get value out of their private health insurance. 'For many Australians it will be a relief to have their elective surgeries back on track,' said Dean Price, Health Campaigner at CHOICE. 'But private health insurers are still set to reap huge savings from the elective surgeries still being deferred and the extras many are unable to claim. These savings shouldn't be going to private health profits, they should be swiftly back in the pockets of Australians as we deal with the economic and social cost of COVID-19.'
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Medicare

None this edition.

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Men's Health

None this edition.

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Mental Health

23 April

Morrison Government must do more to support veterans through the Coronavirus crisis
Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel Shayne Neumann said Labor welcomes the Government's health and financial assistance for veterans and their families in response to the COVID-19 health emergency. 'However, in the lead-up to Anzac Day, the Government needs to do more to assist Australia's veterans and the organisations that support them' said Mr Neumann. 'Labor welcomes Telehealth coverage for veterans, but the Government will need to ensure there is adequate support for allied and mental health services to meet high levels of demand from current and ex-service personnel during the current crisis'.
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QLD: Queensland COVID-19 - Thursday April 23 - Funding for Lifeline & Legacy
Two charities will get more funding to continue their increasingly important work during the COVID-19 pandemic, as two new cases maintain encouragingly low results. There are now 282 active cases with 738 recoveries and six deaths for a total of 1026. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Lifeline will get $3.5 million for counselling services. 'Lifeline has seen an unprecedented number of calls during COVID-19, and they are receiving around 24,000 calls a week,' Ms Palaszczuk said. 'Legacy, whose fundraising in the lead-up to Anzac Day has been severely impacted, will receive a $1 million grant'.
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QLD: $4.5 Million Boost for Queensland Charities
Queensland Premier Palaszczuk has announced a $4.5 million funding boost for two Queensland charities hit hard by COVID-19. Legacy, whose fundraising in the lead-up to Anzac Day has been severely impacted, will receive a $1 million grant. Lifeline will receive $3.5 million to continue its life saving counselling services. The Premier said the isolation and anxiety caused by COVID-19 was putting enormous pressure on Lifeline.
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VIC: Hope restart centre opens in East Gippsland
Victorians struggling with addiction issues will receive extra support to kick their dependency with the opening of a new alcohol and drug residential rehabilitation centre in Bairnsdale. Victorian Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley announced the Hope Restart Centre - a 30 bed residential rehabilitation centre to help people deal with the devastating impacts of addiction - was officially open. The Victorian Government invested $10.2 million in the Victorian Budget 2019/20 to operate the centre, which will be run by leading provider Odyssey House Victoria. The centre will complement other alcohol and drug services already located in Gippsland and generate employment opportunities for health workers and support service workers in the area.
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21 April

NSW: Maintaining mental health during a pandemic
Whether you're working from home or from your office, there's no doubt that your life has been impacted by COVID-19, said iCare. From health care practitioners, to social workers, NSW public servants are working hard, despite the current COVID-19 crisis, to ensure that NSW community continues to receive the services and security we all depend on. To support them, Risk Education eXpress (REX) online learning platform is creating a raft of new best practice resources on topics including mental health and working from home.
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System

None this edition.

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Pharmaceuticals

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