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)

26 August

Contract awarded to deliver purpose-built quarantine facility in WA
Progress continues to be made on Western Australia's Centre for National Resilience, with global construction company Multiplex selected to deliver the project. Following the finalisation of various independent feasibility studies and negotiations, the centre will be built at a site on Commonwealth-owned land within the Bullsbrook Training Area. It will be constructed and owned by the Commonwealth, but will be operated by the Western Australian Government for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham and Minister for Defence Industry and Member for Durack Melissa Price.
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QLD: New Government regional quarantine facility to keep Queenslanders safe
A dedicated regional quarantine facility will be built at Wellcamp, Toowoomba under a joint agreement between the Government and the landowner, Wagner Corporation. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was clear there was an urgent need for more fit-for-purpose quarantine facilities throughout Australia. Wagner Corporation will build the facility, with the accommodation modules to be manufactured in Queensland. The Queensland Government will operate the facility once it is up and running, said Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles and Queensland Minister for Health Yvette D'Ath.
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NSW: New freedoms for vaccinated - first step on state roadmap out of COVID
People across NSW who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed more freedoms next month after NSW hit the target of six million jabs, said NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro and NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard. From 12.01am, Monday, 13 September:
- For those who live outside the LGAs of concern, outdoor gatherings of up to five people (including children, all adults must be vaccinated) will be allowed in a person's LGA or within 5km of home.
- For those who live in the LGAs of concern households with all adults vaccinated will be able to gather outdoors for recreation (including picnics) within the existing rules (for one hour only, outside curfew hours and within 5km of home). This is in addition to the one hour allowed for exercise.
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NSW: First to mandate COVID-19 jabs for all health staff
Healthcare workers in NSW will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to help ensure the safety of colleagues and patients in all public and private hospitals. NSW Minister Hazzard said under the Public Health Order, health staff must have a first dose of vaccine by 30 September 2021 and be fully vaccinated by 30 November 2021, or at least have their second appointment booked to continue working. 'Many health workers in NSW are already vaccinated but if all of our staff are vaccinated it will provide greater protection for patients, visitors and other health staff,' Mr Hazzard said.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW recorded 1,029 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in 24 hours, said the Department of Health. Of these locally acquired cases, 185 are linked to a known case or cluster - 160 are household contacts and 25 are close contacts - and the source of infection for 844 cases is under investigation. Ninety-one were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 33 were in isolation for part of their infectious period. Sixty-one cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 844 cases remains under investigation.
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NT: Vaccine eligibility extended to all Territorians aged 12 and over
Vaccine bookings are now available at Greater Darwin for all kids aged 12-15. This is in addition to bookings online at Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. Children in Nhulunbuy will be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine via pop-up clinics. Territorians aged 12-15 living in remote communities will be able to access the vaccine as part of the Territory remote rollout, said NT Minister for Health Natasha Fyles.
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WA: COVID-19 update 26 August 2021
WA Health has reported no new COVID-19 cases. The State's total stands at 1084. To date, 1051 people have recovered from the virus in WA. WA Health is monitoring 24 active COVID-19 cases; four are in hotel quarantine and 20 cases are crew members on the MV Ken Hou vessel. The vessel will remain berthed at Fremantle Port with all positive crew members remaining on-board and their health status monitored daily.
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25 August

COVID hit First Nations communities left behind by Government
As the COVID situation in Western New South Wales continues to deteriorate, First Nations communities remain sitting ducks after the Government left them with critically low vaccination rates. Western New South Wales recorded 49 new cases, including 35 in Dubbo, seven in Bourke, six in Wilcannia, five in Orange, one in Broken Hill, one in Narromine and one in Walgett. This brings the total number of cases in Western New South Wales to 369, including 294 in Dubbo, said Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler and Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney.
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ACT: Student nurses and midwives to join ACT's COVID-19 response
The ACT's COVID-19 response workforce will soon be enhanced with qualified student health practitioners now permitted to give COVID-19 vaccinations. ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the ACT Government has been working to rapidly expand the ACT's vaccination and testing workforce ahead of expected increases in vaccine supply. 'We have been working closely with the ACT health care sector, unions, professional peak bodies and universities to bring student health practitioners on board to assist in the ACT's COVID-19 pandemic response,' Minister Stephen-Smith said.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW Health recorded 919 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm. Of these locally acquired cases, 178 are linked to a known case or cluster - 153 are household contacts and 25 are close contacts - and the source of infection for 741 cases is under investigation. One hundred and six cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 18 were in isolation for part of their infectious period. Thirty-seven cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 758 cases remains under investigation. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 20,266. Sadly, NSW Health has been notified of the deaths of two people who had COVID-19.
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NT: Vaccine eligibility extended to all Territorians aged 12 and over
Vaccine bookings are now available at Greater Darwin for all kids aged 12-15, said the NT Minister Fyles. This is in addition to bookings online at Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. Children in Nhulunbuy will be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine via pop-up clinics. Territorians aged 12-15 living in remote communities will be able to access the vaccine as part of the Territory remote rollout. NT Health has been working with the Department of Education to look at how the COVID-19 vaccine can be rolled out across secondary schools.
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QLD: Testing ramps up on Palm Island following wastewater result
A COVID-19 testing sweep will commence 9am on Palm Island following a positive wastewater result detected on 22 August, said the Queensland Department of Health. Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said taking this precautionary step was vital in ensuring no active cases are on the island. 'We were notified today of a recent positive wastewater result on Palm Island,' Dr Young said.
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WA: Chief Health Officer approval to request COVID-19 testing on persons who are presenting to be tested under the presentation for testing directions (No.33)
On 21 August 2021 pursuant to sections 67 and 72A of the EM Act, the Presentation for Testing Directions (NO 33) were issued, setting out, amongst other things, that a person to which the Presentation Directions No.33 apply must present to a COVID Clinic in accordance with the Presentation Directions No.33. The Presentation Directions No.33 came into effect at 16:16 hours on 21 August 2021, said the WA Department of Health.
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24 August

COVID cases in first nations communities an absence of Morrison-Joyce government leadership
Shadow Minister Butler and Shadow Minister Burney said that First Nations communities are bearing the brunt of the highly infectious third wave of the pandemic. This is a direct result of the lack leadership from the Government. Labor outlined the need for a nationally uniform plan to address this looming crisis. Labor outlined the need for a clear outline of the contingencies for treatment should people require it. With critically low First Nations vaccine rates around the nation, it's time for the Government to acknowledge that this is no longer a Western NSW issue.
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VIC: Vaccine eligibility expanding for anyone 16 and over
Victorian Premier Andrews and Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley said that every Victorian aged 16 years and over will be eligible to access a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine at state-run vaccination centres under an expansion of the state vaccine program that will further help Victoria reach its goal of one million doses over five weeks. The change means that from Wednesday 25 August, anyone aged 18 to 59 will be eligible to receive either Pfizer or AstraZeneca - with people aged 16 to 17 able to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Those aged 60 and over will continue to receive AstraZeneca.
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WA: New WA COVID-19 Vaccine Commander appointed for WA
WA Premier Mark McGowan the Western Australia Government announced the appointment of State Emergency Coordinator Chris Dawson to the new role as Western Australia's COVID-19 Vaccine Commander to lead and drive the State's COVID-19 vaccine program. Commissioner Dawson will remain the State Emergency Coordinator and assume the responsibilities of the Vaccine Commander effective immediately for the initial term to December 31, 2021. WA's Vaccine Commander will be responsible for the State's delivery of the COVID-19 vaccination program, providing whole-of-State oversight and leveraging cross-government capabilities to maximise the rollout through State and Commonwealth channels.
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SA: COVID-19 update 24 August 2021
SA Health said that there are no new cases of COVID-19. There have been a total of 870 cases notified in South Australia.
Total case breakdown:
- Total new cases - 0
- Total number currently in hospital - 0
- Total cases to date - 870
- Recovered cases - 863
- Deaths - 4
- Tests - 5,380
- Total tests to date - 2,057,689
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WA: COVID-19 update
WA Health reported no new COVID-19 cases. The State's total stands at 1064. To date, 1051 people have recovered from the virus in WA. WA Health is monitoring four active COVID-19 cases who are all currently in hotel quarantine. In addition, WA Health can confirm that 20 of the 22 crew members from the MV Ken Hou vessel are not unwell but are infected with COVID-19. These cases were identified after the reporting period concluded and will be included in the next day's COVID-19 update.
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23 August

Expanded vaccine access for NDIS participants
All National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants aged 12-15 years will be able to receive a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from this Wednesday, 25 August. All NDIS participants aged 16 years and over became eligible in June. Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt said the decision by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) would make a big difference to the lives of children with disability and their families. Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Senator Linda Reynolds welcomed the announcement.
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Ai Group 'pulse' survey identifies majority support for mandating COVID vaccinations
'An Ai Group national employer survey testing the pulse of business attitudes towards mandatory COVID-19 vaccination in workplaces has found more than half were in favour of some form of mandating,' Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Ai Group said. Of the more than 700 companies surveyed earlier this month:
- 24% said they would like to mandate COVID vaccinations for some or all of their employees; and
- 27% said they would only like COVID vaccination to be mandated through a health order related to their industry.
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VIC: A step closer to Victoria's first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
With clinical trials of Australia's first mRNA coronavirus vaccine due to start in coming months, a key piece of equipment has arrived in Victoria to enable the critical manufacturing capability of mRNA vaccines to commence. A new $1 million NanoAssemblr machine has been shipped in from Canada and will allow Boronia-based company IDT Australia to create the final product for mRNA vaccines. It is the only machine of its kind in Australia and can process nanoparticles into final liquid drug form, sterilise the product and fill vials with mRNA vaccines, said Victorian Minister for Medical Research Jaala Pulford.
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22 August

Australia delivers more COVID-19 vaccines to support Pacific partners
Australian COVID-19 vaccine doses have arrived in Kiribati on board an inaugural flight to Kiribati under the Pacific Flights Program. Australia is sharing 13,000 Australian-manufactured doses with its partners the Kiribati Ministry of Health and Medical Services to supply vaccines. I-Kiribati are one of the region's most dispersed populations, with 120,000 people spread across 23 atolls. To ensure these populations have access to COVID-19 vaccines, Australia is also funding a flight to transport doses to Kiritimati Island, one of the locations furthest from the capital of Tarawa, said Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne and Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja.
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QLD: Make the choice to step up and get vaccinated
The Redcliffe Hospital community vaccination centre is hosting 'special Saturdays' over the next six weeks to support local First Nations families to get vaccinated. Starting from this Saturday, 21 August 2021, the Moreton Bay Integrated Care Centre based at the Redcliffe Hospital campus will accept walk ins for First Nations people from 10am to 2.30pm. These hours will be extended if there is further demand. The walk-in vaccination clinics will run each Saturday until approximately 25 September 2021, said Queensland Minister D'Ath.
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VIC: Helping public sector workers get the jab, sooner
The Victorian Government is helping more nurses, teachers, ambos, police, firefighters and other public sector workers get vaccinated sooner, offering paid time off to make it as easy as possible for them to get the jab. Victorian Minister Foley announced public sector employees can now access up to half a day's paid time off to get each dose of the vaccine, and the Victorian Government hopes the move encourages other employers to consider similar incentives. This is part of Victoria's drive to administer 1 million doses of the vaccine in five weeks from 16 August. More than half a million doses have already been delivered through state-run vaccination centres since 30 July.
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SA: COVID-19 Update 22 August 2021
The South Australia Department of Health said that there are no new cases of COVID-19. There have been a total of 869 cases notified in South Australia. South Australia COVID-19 total cases
- 0 new cases
- 0 people currently in hospital
- 2 active COVID-19 cases
- 869 confirmed cases in total
- 863 people have recovered from COVID-19
- 4 COVID-19 related deaths
- 4,502 tests
- 2,047,707 tests in total
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NSW: Public health alert - New venues of concern
NSW Health was notified of new venues of concern in Greater Newcastle, north-western Sydney and western NSW which are associated with confirmed cases of COVID 19. Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days since they were there, regardless of the result. NSW Health sends a text message to people who have checked in at close-contact venues with further information.
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21 August

NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW recorded 825 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19. Of these locally acquired cases, 149 are linked to a known case or cluster - 116 are household contacts and 33 are close contacts - and the source of infection for 676 cases is under investigation, said NSW Health. 92 cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 38 were in isolation for part of their infectious period. 58 cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 637 cases remains under investigation. 7 new cases were acquired overseas.
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20 August

TGA approves new COVID-19 treatment for use in Australia
Australians with COVID-19 who are at risk of hospitalisation will now have access to an additional antibody treatment, as the Therapeutic Goods Administration announced it has granted provisional approval for sotrovimab to be used in Australia. Earlier this month, the Government secured an initial allocation of over 7,700 doses of the novel monoclonal antibody treatment sotrovimab and a first shipment is already in the country and ready to be deployed through the National Medical Stockpile, said Minister Hunt.
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Westpac introduces rapid testing for employees, expands employee wellbeing and mental health support
Westpac has announced it has commenced a rapid antigen testing pilot to support customer-facing employees in Sydney's COVID hotspots. Employees in the Canterbury-Bankstown Local Government Area and in Westpac's Concord premises will have access to the testing which will be conducted in branch, using a nostril swab and supported by a registered medical professional. After an initial two-week pilot, the program will be scaled to include more locations and a virtual nurse service. Westpac CEO, Peter King, said that Westpac continues to take proactive steps to keep employees safe and help them through the challenges of COVID.
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Government must ensure vaccine supply for early educators
'The Government must urgently ensure supply of vaccines for early educators in Sydney,' said Shadow Minister Butler and Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education and Development Amanda Rishworth. 'Throughout this third wave, Labor has heard from early educators who are fearful of COVID due to their exposure in a high-risk workplace and have been begging for access to the vaccine. Due to Scott Morrison's botched vaccine rollout, early educators - like so many Australians - have been struggling to get access to the vaccine and have been left dangerously exposed.'
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Greens slam Morrison's fudging of vaccination numbers
Greens Leader Adam Bandt said Scott Morrison's announcement that children would not be included in vaccination targets was a political decision that made the community less safe. Scott Morrison's 80% vaccination target is only 65% of the whole population, as it excludes under 16s. An additional 4 million people need to be vaccinated to reach the 80% target if all children and teenagers were included. The Grattan Institute has warned that opening up at such a low level of vaccination could lead to thousands of deaths. Delta has infected many children across Australia and outbreaks have been seen in schools.
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Aged Care

26 August

Tenterfield aged care facility to receive $2.5 Million
A Tenterfield aged care facility will receive $2.5 million, thanks to the Federal Governments latest Age Care Approvals Round (ACAR). In addition to the Haddington Nursing Home (Tenterfield) allocation, $577,825 will go to Eloura Nursing Home (Qurindi) and $120,000 has been granted to Richardson House (Barraba), totaling $3.19 million for New England. Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said this money will help upgrade services that could create more spacious rooms, increase privacy, and decrease the need for shared living quarters
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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

23 August

Expanded vaccine access for NDIS participants
All National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants aged 12-15 years will be able to receive a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from this Wednesday, 25 August. All NDIS participants aged 16 years and over became eligible in June. Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt said the decision by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) would make a big difference to the lives of children with disability and their families. Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Senator Linda Reynolds welcomed the announcement.
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22 August

Australian childhood immunisation rates go from strength to strength
Australia continues to be an immunisation nation as parents protect their children from disease at record rates. 2021 second quarter results show Australia has remained above the national immunisation target of 95% for all five-year olds at 95.18%. This is the third consecutive quarter Australians have been above the 95% target, a fantastic achievement when compared to the rate of 74.4% in 2005 when 5-year-old immunisation rates were first recorded. This gives Australia the herd immunity needed to stop the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases, said Minister Hunt.
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Clinical Governance

23 August

PSA announces new Early Career Pharmacists directorship
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomed the new Early Career Pharmacists (ECP) Board Director to the PSA National Board. On the 23rd August, Deanna Mill was appointed as the Early Career Pharmacists Board Director, following the conclusion of Lauren Burton's term. Based in Adelaide, Ms Mill has acquired a unique breadth of skills and experience, having worked in rural, metropolitan, hospital, community, teaching and research settings. In addition to her comprehensive pharmacy experience, Ms Mill is also currently completing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at the University of Western Australia. PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, welcomed Ms Mill and thanked the outgoing Lauren Burton for her contribution to the role.
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Construction and Health Infrastructure

25 August

WA: Joondalup Health Campus project update
The $256.7 million Joondalup Health Campus expansion is well underway with WA Minister for Health Roger Cook and Joondalup MLA Emily Hamilton touring the facility. The construction of the new 12-bay expanded emergency department is nearing completion. This expansion will increase the hospital's capability to safely manage patients with infectious diseases, including COVID-19. The emergency department works, including the Behavioural Assessment Urgent Care Clinic, will be completed in November 2021.
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Dental

None this edition.

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Disabilities

25 August

ACT COVID-19 update: NDS launches ACT COVID disability workforce register
To help maintain staff levels during COVID, NDS has launched a service that links organisations that have excess workforce with organisations that are facing workforce shortages. This service has been funded by the ACT Office for Disability. NDS's matching service assists community organisations that might otherwise have to stand staff down with disability support providers that are experiencing staff shortages.
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A win for the Greens & the disability community
After years of raising the alarm that the confidentiality provisions in the Disability Royal Commission are insufficient, the disability community, alongside Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John, have locked in amendments that will allow those with confidential information to come forward to the Disability Royal Commission with trust.
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24 August

SA: Have Your say about South Australia's authorising scheme for NDIS restrictive practices
South Australians are being encouraged to have their say on new safeguards for people living with disability, with consultation now open on the guidelines that set out how an authorising scheme for restrictive practices will operate. Restrictive practices are regulated under the NDIS Act and can include a range of practices that restrict a person's freedom - ranging from changes in the home, such as a lock on a cupboard, through to physically restraining someone's movement. South Australia Department of Human Services Chief Executive Lois Boswell said South Australian legislation passed this year establishes an authorisation scheme that will ensure such practices are used only as a last resort and in consultation with the person with disability or their guardian.
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23 August

Expanded vaccine access for NDIS participants
All National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants aged 12-15 years will be able to receive a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from this Wednesday, 25 August. All NDIS participants aged 16 years and over became eligible in June. Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt said the decision by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) would make a big difference to the lives of children with disability and their families. Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Senator Linda Reynolds welcomed the announcement.
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Support grows for Australia's biggest Paralympic team abroad
Australia's largest ever team for an overseas Paralympic Games is being backed by record support at home, including investment and innovation from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). On the eve of the Tokyo Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony, AIS CEO Peter Conde has sent his best wishes to the Australian Team, which is made up of 179 athletes competing across 18 sports, including in the debut disciplines of Para-taekwondo and Para-badminton. 'The AIS takes enormous pride in supporting Australia's Paralympic athletes, coaches and staff and we're excited they get the opportunity to compete in Tokyo after such a testing preparation,' he said.
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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

26 August

SA: $200 million Digital Health CRC launched
Australia's leading organisation for digital health innovation and commercialisation, the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) - a significant $200 million investment to develop a digital health ecosystem across Australia - has launched in the MIT big data Living Lab at Lot Fourteen. The Digital Health CRC, which received $55 million in Federal Government funding, also opened its new commercialisation hub - Digital Hive - otherwise known as Digital Health Innovation Ventures, said SA Premier Steven Marshall and SA Minister for Trade and Investment Stephen Patterson.
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Education and Training

None this edition.

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Funding

None this edition.

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Health Professionals

26 August

ACP and Guild Learning and Development partner to deliver the A-Z on COVID vaccines
The Australasian College of Pharmacy (ACP) and Guild Learning and Development announced the release of four new complimentary COVID-19 vaccination educational resources for pharmacists and pharmacy assistants. The clinical resources, developed in a partnership between the ACP and Guild Learning and Development, include:
- multi-dose vial training for both COVID-19 vaccines Pfizer and AstraZeneca
- a video with Associate Professor, Paul Griffin answering frequently asked questions
- a series of training videos on informed consent
- a clinical resources guide, titled 'An A-Z of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca for Community Pharmacists'.
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25 August

TAS: Building the health workforce and supporting positive work environments
The Tasmanian Government will invest $15.7 million over four years to implement the health Workforce 2040 Strategy, which will be released in coming weeks. Workforce 2040 is the long-term strategy to shape a health workforce that meets the needs of Tasmanians now and into the future. It aims to improve the workforce through strategies to develop staff, targeted recruitment and building a positive workplace environment. The 2021-22 Tasmanian Budget will include $5 million to implement a One Health cultural improvement program to support staff to work together, learn, collaborate and problem-solve, share risk, empower and respect each other, said Premier of Tasmania Jeremy Rockliff.
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24 August

Hazzard must immediately act on ICU Nurse Shortage
Greens MP and Health spokesperson Cate Faehrmann wrote to the Health Minister calling on him to take urgent action to stem the growing crisis in Intensive Care Units in the state's hospitals in Western and South Western Sydney, which are at breaking point. Stories have emerged in recent days of ambulances with COVID patients being turned away because there are not enough ICU-trained nurses for the number of COVID patients filling up ICU beds in Westmead, Black town, Kneepan, Campbell town and Liverpool hospitals. 'Once again the NSW Government has been too slow off the mark in responding to this outbreak, and it's costing lives,' said Ms Faehrmann.
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23 August

TAS: Speech Pathology qualification at UTAS
Tasmanian Minister for Skills Training and Workforce Growth Sarah Courtney said that the Tasmanian Government welcomed the University of Tasmania's announcement that it will offer a Master of Speech Pathology from mid-2022 in Tasmania. The new postgraduate course is part of the University's Allied Health Expansion Program, which is a collaboration between the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Tasmania's allied health sector. Recruitment of speech pathologists remains a challenge at both a national and state level, and this new speech pathology qualification will help address these challenges. The Tasmanian Government recognises that Speech and Language Pathologists play an important role in the early identification and management of communication and literacy challenges for students.
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Hospitals

26 August

Nationwide mandatory vaccinations for hospital workers
Private hospitals are calling on the National Cabinet to adopt an Australia-wide position mandating vaccinations of people working in hospitals. The Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) has written to the Prime Minister, premiers and chief ministers seeking their support to adopt a nationally consistent position with respect to the mandatory vaccination of hospital workers. APHA CEO Michael Roff said the move was 'essential' to ensure the health and safety of hospital workers, patients and visitors as well as preserving the capacity of the hospital system going forward.
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WA: Skyrocketing ambulance ramping figures set to exceed shocking record
With six days left in the month, the latest St John's Ambulance figures show ambulances around WA have already been ramped for more than 5000 hours this month, almost equal to the June record. WA Shadow Minister for Health Libby Mettam said the figure would undoubtedly exceed the 5293 hour record for June and was expected to climb past 6000 hours by the end of the month. 'This is absolutely gob smacking. To have a State that has no community COVID cases reporting these figures is an absolute disgrace and raises real questions about the Government's preparedness to deal with an outbreak should one happen,' Ms Mettam said.
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24 August

TAS: GP After Hours Support and Hospital Avoidance Co-Investment Fund applications open
Tasmanian Minister for Health Jeremy Rockliff said that applications are now open for Round 2 of the Tasmanian Government's $3 million GP After Hours Support Initiative and the $1 million Hospital Avoidance Co-Investment Fund. These important initiatives will help more Tasmanians get the right care, in the right place, at the right time, while reducing pressure on emergency departments. Importantly, this will increase access to after-hours medical care across Tasmania, delivering on a key election commitment in the First 100 Days Plan.
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23 August

RACGP and National Asthma Council
People with asthma are being urged to visit their GP to ensure they have an up-to-date Written Asthma Action Plan (WAAP) to help them manage serious asthma flare-ups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Professor Nick Zwar, Chair of the National Asthma Council Australia Guidelines Committee, said they are concerned that many Australians with asthma are not following a WAAP when they have an asthma flare-up and may ultimately end up in an emergency department. 'People are worried about restrictions when visiting their GP during the pandemic and if they don't have a WAAP to refer to, they can ultimately end up in an emergency department with serious asthma symptoms,' said Professor Zwar.
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22 August

SA: Surgical services set to return to the Repat
Residents of the southern suburbs are set to benefit from the return of surgical services to the Repat Health Precinct, as the South Australian Government continues to deliver on its commitment to reactivate the Repat as a thriving health precinct. South Australia Premier Steven Marshall said surgery will be returned through a partnership with Nexus Hospitals, after the healthcare provider was selected as the preferred proponent to build a new facility and provide surgical and procedural services. 'This Government has recognised the essential need to reactivate the Repat and return the site to a thriving health precinct to provide better health services, closer to home, for the surrounding community,' said Premier Marshall.
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Insurance

25 August

2021 full year results
Group operating profit from continuing operations was up 14.6% to $528.3 million (FY20: $461.0 million), driven in large part by a solid performance in the Health Insurance business, said MediBank. This result, as well as an increase in investment income, resulted in a 39.8% increase in Group net profit after tax (NPAT) to $441.2 million (FY20: $315.6 million). Underlying NPAT, which normalises for investment market returns, was up 8.5% to $398.7 million.
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Medicare

None this edition.

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Men's Health

None this edition.

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Mental Health

26 August

Balancing physical and mental health - all a part of Being Equally Well
26 AUG: The Government has welcomed the release of the National Policy Roadmap to Being Equally Well, which aims to improve the physical health care provided to Australians living with serious mental illness. The Being Equally Well Roadmap is aimed at reducing the life expectancy gap for people living with a mental illness, and shows that physical health and wellbeing must be a priority for health care providers when working with a person living with a mental illness, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt.
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Supporting young Australians through COVID-19 lockdowns
The Australian Government is reminding the thousands of young Australians in COVID-19 lockdown or facing other restrictions that mental health support is available to help them. The last 18 months have been some of the most challenging in Australia's history and the impact is being felt right across Australia, with increased stress, anxiety and depression in the community, said Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention David Coleman and Assistant Minister for Youth and Employment Services Luke Howarth.
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20 August

Westpac introduces rapid testing for employees, expands employee wellbeing and mental health support
Westpac has announced it has commenced a rapid antigen testing pilot to support customer-facing employees in Sydney's COVID hotspots. Employees in the Canterbury-Bankstown Local Government Area and in Westpac's Concord premises will have access to the testing which will be conducted in branch, using a nostril swab and supported by a registered medical professional. After an initial two-week pilot, the program will be scaled to include more locations and a virtual nurse service. Westpac CEO, Peter King, said that Westpac continues to take proactive steps to keep employees safe and help them through the challenges of COVID.
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NSW: Looking after yourself in lockdown
As the lockdown in the Northern Rivers continues and residents face difficulties on the QLD border, it is important people are making time to look after themselves. NSW MLC Ben Franklin said the lockdown was difficult for people in different ways and reminded them that support is available. 'This is a really tough time and I want people to know there are free resources, websites, hotlines and councillors out there to help,' Mr Franklin said. 'We talk about mental health a lot and looking after ourselves right now is really important. We've got students learning from home, parents working from home, people living alone, businesses closed and the way our entire community operates has had to change.'
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System

None this edition.

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Pharmaceuticals and Regulation

26 August

Aconitum alkaloids in listed medicines
Aconitum is a genus of flowering plants, with some species used in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicines. Aconitine is a potent neurotoxin and cardiotoxin, and entry into the body may lead to diarrhoea, convulsions, ventricular arrhythmia and death. When present, Aconitum spp are generally included in listed medicines at very low concentrations due to their toxicity, and although manufacturing controls should be in place to ensure the concentration is below scheduled quantities, the TGA has undertaken testing to monitor the safety of these products in the marketplace, said the Department of Health and the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
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Advertising nicotine e-cigarettes and liquid nicotine to the Australian public
As part of the Australian Government Department of Health, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulates the advertising of therapeutic goods, including prescription medicines. In Australia, nicotine vaping products, such as nicotine e-cigarettes, nicotine pods, and liquid nicotine, are regulated as prescription medicines. The advertising of prescription medicines to consumers is generally prohibited in Australia.
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