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)

24 February

PSA welcomes Moderna for children, but pay parity for vaccination services not on the Government's radar
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the provisional approval of the Moderna vaccine for children aged six years and over, but remains deeply concerned by the ongoing pay disparity when it comes to pharmacist remuneration. A second COVID-19 vaccine option is now available for Australian children following a decision from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), but pharmacists' remuneration for administering vaccines is still inadequate. PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, welcomed Moderna's inclusion, but said that the Government has run out of excuses to deny pharmacists equal pay for vaccination services.
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Global business push for WHO to engage with business in pandemic planning
The national employer association the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) has joined a global push to call on the World Health Organisation (WHO) to engage with business in their new intergovernmental negotiating body (INB), created to prevent, prepare, and respond to future pandemics. 'The private sector has been a steadfast partner in pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) when it comes to the innovation, manufacturing, delivery and administration of healthcare and public health products and services,' said Ai Group Chief Executive and Global Business Coalition President Innes Willox.
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COVID-19 sparked huge slump in number of research jobs
A new report by researchers at The Australian National University (ANU) shows the number of available research jobs plummeted during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis found the number of academic roles advertised each month in Australia dropped from an average of more than 1000 roles in 2019 to just 290 in April 2020. Associate Professor Will Grant from ANU said there is some good news, with this drop proving to be relatively short-lived. 'Job postings rallied to peak at just over 1,400 in October 2021, well above 2019 levels,' Associate Professor Grant said.
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23 February

Moderna vaccine rollout expanded to include kids aged six years and older
The Government has accepted advice from leading immunisation experts to make the Moderna (SPIKEVAX) COVID-19 vaccine available for children aged six years and older from 24 February 2022 - broadening the previous recommendation for children aged 12 years and older. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommendation follows the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval of Moderna for children aged six years and older on 17 February 2022. Pfizer continues to be available to children aged five and over, and nearly half of children aged between five and 11 have already received one dose of the Pfizer vaccine since it became available in January this year.
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TAS: Changes to close contact and border entry requirements
'The health and safety of Tasmanians continues to be our number one priority as we work through the ongoing transition to living with COVID-19,' said Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein. 'Whilst over the last 2 days we have seen a slight uptick in cases, this is not unexpected following the return of schools. As we have seen in other jurisdictions, where schools started two weeks ahead of Tasmanian schools, cases will trend down. Importantly, school remains the best place for children to learn. The omicron virus is far milder, and hospitalisations remain steady, and far lower than anticipated.'
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22 February

Opposition continues to mislead on Rapid Antigen Tests
The Leader of the Opposition has again been caught out not telling the truth to the Australian people, according to Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt. 'The Morrison Government has been an early adopter of RATs with the first RAT used at Howard Springs on 19 November 2020. Since August 2021, we have been purchasing and distributing RATs to residential aged care facilities (RACF) across the country through the national medical stockpile well in advance of market demand. Anthony Albanese and Labor continue to play political games when it comes to the COVID- 19 pandemic and the health of Australians,' Minister Hunt said.
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VIC: A safe and sensible return to the office as mask rules ease
Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley has announced that as hospitalisation rates decline and third dose vaccination rates increase, a number of sensible changes to pandemic orders and public health recommendations in Victoria will come into place at 11:59pm on Friday 25 February 2022. The public health recommendation for Victorians to work or study from home will be removed, while masks will no longer be needed in most indoor settings. Masks are recommended for other workers serving or facing members of the public, such as if you are at reception, meeting guests or serving customers.
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VIC: Millions protected in first year of Victorian vaccinations
Victorian Minister Foley has announced that an average of eleven vaccines a minute have been administered by Victoria's state-run services since the COVID-19 vaccination program commenced 12 months ago. Victoria's health services can be proud of their efforts, with health professionals delivering almost six million doses - more than any other state or territory - across 166 vaccine hubs and 1,322 pop-ups and mobile sites. Professor Rhonda Stuart, the first person to diagnose a COVID-19 case in Australia, was the first Victorian to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on 22 February 2021.
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21 February

Alice Springs needs 'disaster declaration' to help Covid accommodation crisis
The Federal Australian Medical Association (AMA) and AMA Northern Territory have urged the NT government to trigger its emergency disaster response to provide crisis accommodation to COVID-positive cases with nowhere to isolate. The AMA said Central Australia's Indigenous community is worst affected as COVID-positive individuals are often ejected from already over-crowded households fearing the infection of more vulnerable family members. The Territory and Federal AMA are also calling for the federal government to step in to provide safe isolation and quarantine accommodation in Alice Springs as existing facilities aren't culturally sound for Indigenous patients.
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Covid-19 pandemic sends clear message that Australia must value the long-term health of all Australians
Medicines Australia is warning that Australia must act now to ensure that the health system is resourced properly to deal with growing demand and to cope with inevitable future pandemics and health crises. Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer, said that the global COVID-19 pandemic has sent a clear message that all nations must future-proof their health systems. 'We must prepare for the future. This will involve planning for a strong health workforce; health infrastructure; public health policy and strategy; medical technology; community education and information campaigns - and medicines,' Ms de Somer said.
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NSW: International visitors welcomed back
The NSW Government has welcomed the first wave of international visitors following the reopening of national borders. Around 5000 passengers across 27 flights will pass through Sydney International Airport, arriving from USA, Japan, Singapore, Canada, New Zealand and Fiji. Amid celebrations at Sydney International Airport, where arrivals were greeted with music and imagery from the Destination NSW Feel New tourism campaign, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the return of overseas visitors would boost tourism, investment and trade. 'Millions of people around the world dream of visiting Sydney and our regional areas, it's great to see the planes return and their dreams coming true,' Mr Perrottet said.
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NT: Vaccine rollout hits stride 12 months on
NT Minister for Health Natasha Fyles has announced that the Territory Government's has delivered on a record of achievement with more than half a million doses administered since the vaccine rollout launched one year ago. Key milestones include a double dose vaccination rate of more than 95%, a booster dose rate of greater than 45 per cent and a first dose rate of more than 50% for kids aged 5-11. NT Health vaccination teams are continuing to visit remote communities to administer doses including boosters and paediatric vaccines. This also marks another step forward in the rollout with Novavax becoming the fourth TGA approved vaccine to be administered in the Territory.
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20 February

NSW: Free family and staff RAT packs
Following a successful rapid antigen test (RAT) surveillance program for the first four weeks of term one in schools, the NSW Government will continue supporting face-to-face learning by offering eight RAT kits per student and staff member to use when families consider necessary so they have peace of mind. The RAT packs will be distributed to parents and staff in two drops to be used at their discretion. The first round of packs are already arriving at schools. NSW Premier Perrottet thanked parents, teachers, school administrators and Principals across NSW for their commitment to return children to classrooms on day one of term one.
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WA: Outbreak declared in remote Aboriginal community
WA Health is working with Ngaanyatjarra Health Service on the management of two COVID positive cases in Jameson - a remote Aboriginal community around 1000km east of Kalgoorlie. While both cases are currently well and isolating, the community has been placed into lockdown as a protective measure. Contact tracers have identified five close contacts linked to the cases. They have undergone testing and are isolating. A coordinated response is being provided by the Department of Health, WA Country Health Service, Ngaanyatjarra Health Service (NG Health), WA Police and Department of Communities.
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19 February

NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
Across NSW, more than 95 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 94.2 per cent have received two doses to Thursday 17 February 2022, said NSW Health.

• Of children aged 12 to 15, 83.6 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 78.9 per cent have received two doses
• Of children aged 5 to 11, 46.3 per cent have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
• Of people aged 16 plus, 50.8 per cent have now received a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

This represents 54.9 per cent of the eligible population that received their second dose more than three months ago.
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VIC: Novavax vaccine available
Victorians aged 18 and over will be able to access the COVID-19 vaccine Novavax through selected state-run centres as well as GPs and pharmacies - providing another option for the small number of Victorians still waiting for their first or second dose. The vaccine will be available through more than 400 general practices and community pharmacies across the state, as well as the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton, Sandown Racecourse in Springvale, Sunshine Hospital in St Albans, the former Ford factory in Geelong and the McIntosh Centre in Shepparton, said Victorian Minister Foley.
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17 February

NSW: NSW Government update to COVID-19 settings
The NSW Government is taking a staged and flexible approach to the easing of restrictions as the State continues to take a measured response to managing COVID-19, said NSW Premier Perrottet, NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole and NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard. From the beginning of Friday, 18 February 2022, the adjustments include:

• No density limits (previously one person per 2sqm for hospitality venues);
• QR check-ins will only be required for nightclubs, and for all music festivals with more than 1,000 people.
• Hospitals, aged and disability facilities may use their existing systems for recording visitors;
• Singing and dancing will be permitted at all venues, except music festivals, where singing and dancing can recommence from 25 February.

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Aged Care

24 February

Welcoming back visitors to aged care facilities across Australia
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, has joined aged care peak bodies Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) and Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) to encourage more visitors to return to residential aged care facilities across Australia. 'We know how important it is for aged care residents to see visitors, such as family, friends and members of their community in person' Minister Colbeck said. 'Personal contact is vital to maintaining the social, emotional and mental wellbeing of residents, reducing their social isolation and loneliness.
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Vulnerable older Australians in aged care deserve better
'Fifty years from now, when I am 87, I look forward to telling my grandkids or, frankly, anyone who will listen to an old, out-of-touch ex-politician , the policy lessons and mistakes of this pandemic,' said Shadow Assistant Minister for Western Australia Patrick Gorman. 'I picture myself and Jess in an accessible, affordable, high-tech , high-rise aged-care home overlooking the Swan River. It is well staffed, well-funded and with access to the best medical support. This should not just be a vision for 50 years time. We owe high-quality aged care to senior Australians today.'
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23 February

Productivity Commission to consider leave options for carers of senior Australians
The Productivity Commission will examine the merits of unpaid leave allocations for all workers who need to care for an older relative or friend and undertake a study of employment models across the aged care sector. As a part of the Government's response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety Final Report, both matters have been referred to the Commission. The examination will provide the Government with a detailed understanding of the economy-wide impacts of both matters, said Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt, and Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck.
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A highly skilled nursing workforce will lead Australians into the 22nd century said ACN Pre-Budget Submission
The Australian College of Nursing's (ACN) 2022/23 Pre-Budget Submission highlights why growing the number of senior clinical registered nurses who meet advanced practice requirements is essential to improving the health of all Australians for generations to come. 'There are over 400,000 nurses, making us the largest health workforce nationally and we deliver care across all health sectors, in primary care, mental health, aged care, community care and in hospitals,' ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN said.
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21 February

Project provides pull to Port Lincoln for aged care professionals
The Australian Government is providing $3.7 million to the University of South Australia (UniSA) to create a training site in Port Lincoln that will encourage current and future nursing and allied health students to pursue a career in aged care once qualified. Member for Grey, Rowan Ramsey said this was a win-win for local health students and the increasing elderly population in the area. Minister for Regional Health Dr David Gillespie, who will join Mr Ramsey for a rural health visit to Wallaroo, said the centre will give students the experience and training to build their knowledge, expertise, and skills relevant to rural aged care practice.
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18 February

WA: Innovative Aboriginal led service helping older hospital patients return to their communities
The first of five partnerships with Aboriginal Medical Services (AMSs) to deliver care for older Aboriginals leaving hospital care has begun in Bunbury. The Transitional Care Program (TCP), jointly funded by the Federal and WA Governments, is a long-standing program which provides care to older people for up to 12 weeks after their hospital discharge, including social work, nursing support, personal care and allied health care. It ensures that people who no longer require hospital care have the necessary supports in place to safely return to the community and ensure hospital beds are available to patients with acute care needs, said WA Minister for Health Amber-Jade Sanderson.
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Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

None this edition.

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Allied Health

22 February

Community leaders call on Government to put health first and abandon plans to cut the price of alcohol
More than 80 community leaders and organisations have signed an open letter to Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, calling on the Government to abandon any plans to cut the price of alcohol because of the risk to the health, wellbeing and safety of Australians. The letter was supported by organisations including the Foundation for Alcohol Research & Education (FARE) Cancer Council Australia, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), Full Stop Australia, Aboriginal Drug & Alcohol Council (ADAC), Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM), and other community leaders such as Former Australian of the year Fiona Stanley and Local Hero of the year Shanna Whan.
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Children's Health

24 February

Managing nutrition in children
'The volume and type of food a child eats can be a source of worry for parents, whether they are concerned their child is overeating or undereating.' said Pharmacy Guild Australia. While healthy children who have energy to play, learn, and explore are probably eating enough, those who eat in a restrictive or selective way may not be receiving the nutrition they need. Pharmacists can assist parents by assessing children in the community for their nutritional risk, provide basic information regarding nutritional needs, and refer children who are at nutritional risk for further assessment.
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NSW: Public health alert: Gastroenteritis outbreaks in childcare settings
Parents are being urged to keep children at home if they are unwell following a substantial increase in the number of gastroenteritis outbreaks in childcare being reported to NSW Health. NSW Health Executive Director of Health Protection Dr Richard Broome said 156 outbreaks of gastroenteritis in early childhood education centres were reported in NSW in February. 'Almost 1,000 children and more than 210 staff members have been affected to date, a 97 per cent increase above the number normally reported for the month of February,' Dr Broome said.
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22 February

ACOSS welcomes AMA focus on tackling poverty, lifting income support and providing secure housing, as central to child health and wellbeing
The Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) is pleased to join with the Australian Medical Association (AMA) to call for a refocus on improving child health and wellbeing and strongly recommend that both are placed at the centre of national attention and public policy making as Australia heads into the 2022 election cycle. 'Never in recent memory have children grown up surrounded by such complex, intersecting and existential challenges risking their physical, emotional and mental health. Even as we continue to grapple with COVID-19, Australia confronts a persistent problem with poverty, yawning inequality and a housing affordability crisis. And all this is before we even get to the profound problems presented by accelerating climate change and an increase in natural disasters.' ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie said.
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Clinical Governance

24 February

QLD: Queensland Government acts to protect rights of donor conceived people
The rights of donor-conceived Queenslanders to access genetic information about their donors to manage their health and personal wellbeing will be considered by the Queensland Parliament. Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman said she had asked Parliament to refer the important matter to the Legal Affairs and Safety Committee for inquiry. 'Conception using donated sperm, eggs or embryos has given countless Queensland couples and individuals the precious gift of starting or extending a family,' Minister Fentiman said. 'For those people who are donor-conceived, it is important that they can access information about their genetic identity to better understand their origins and to manage their health appropriately.'
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22 February

Changes of a lifetime we need in our health care
The once in a lifetime impact of the COVID pandemic demands a life-changing response in national health policy, the Consumers Health Forum (CHF) said. 'Political leaders on all sides must respond to the unprecedented strains on our health system by embarking on fundamental reform and restructure,' the CEO of the Consumers Health Forum Leanne Wells said. 'We urgently need to harness the potential of 21st Century health care and technology to drive new ways in primary health care, prevention, dental care and consumer participation and leadership. 'The pandemic has disproportionately hit the community's most vulnerable people --- the elderly, the disabled and the disadvantaged - who have not had priority access to vaccinations, boosters, testing and protective equipment.'
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NSW: Susan Pearce appointed to lead NSW Health
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard, and NSW Minister for Regional and Mental Health Bronnie Taylor announced Susan Pearce as the new Secretary of NSW Health. Ms Pearce succeeds Elizabeth Koff, who is leaving NSW Health in early March to take up an opportunity in the private sector. 'Ms Koff has helped guide the state's health system through a once in a century pandemic displaying strong leadership when it was needed most,' Mr Perrottet said. 'During her time as Secretary Ms Koff delivered a number of key reforms, which have further strengthened our world-class health service.'
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21 February

Role of the ACMD in the TGA's regulatory decision making process
'The Advisory Committee on Medical Devices (ACMD) is a statutory advisory committee established by the Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1990.' said the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA). The committee provides independent expert advice on specific scientific and technical matters in order to aid the TGA's decision making and other regulatory processes. While the advice provided by the ACMD is an important element in the undertaking of the TGA's regulatory functions it forms only part of the information that is available to delegates when they make a regulatory decision under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
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Construction and Health Infrastructure

None this edition.

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Dental

None this edition.

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Disabilities

24 February

Survey shows a third of disability workers planning to leave the sector
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has announced that almost one-third (31%) of nearly 2500 disability support workers surveyed said they wanted to be in a different job in twelve months' time. Nearly a third (31%) wanted to leave their jobs because of negative workplace culture, and nearly one quarter (21%) wanted to leave for more pay. The survey of disability support workers by the unions representing disability workers - ASU, HSU, UWU and AWU - comes on the back of the last week's report by Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS which found there is a shortfall of 83,000 full time workers.
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22 February

Urgent action needed to implement Senate Committee recommendations on DSP
Economic Justice Australia (EJA) said it is pleased to see the obstacles limiting access to the DSP for vulnerable cohorts of people with disability comprehensively brought to light in the report of the Senate Inquiry into the purpose, intent and adequacy of the Disability Support Pension (DSP) released in mid-February. EJA urged the Government to establish the consultation processes proposed in the report as a matter of urgency, with tight reporting deadlines
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Reform must not be rushed
Peak body National Disability Services (NDS) raised concerns that the Government is rushing critical sector reform, ahead of the Disability Royal Commission's examination of Disability Employment Services. NDS CEO Laurie Leigh said the current system is a bureaucratic nightmare for providers and warned 'we cannot rush reform if we want to get it right'. 'Time needs to be taken to gather evidence and identify what works, consult with the people who will be directly impacted, review the data, test and trial the model and review the outcomes; so far this has not occurred,' Ms Leigh said. 'This sector has been severely impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, so we need to ensure that proper consultation can be undertaken to ensure this model is fit for purpose for years to come.'
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New 'social scripts' make getting COVID-19 vaccines easier for children with autism
Autism advocacy body Amaze in partnership with the NDS and supported by the Victorian Government have created a series of social scripts about vaccination for children with autism. The special step-by-step instructions show what will happen during an appointment, such as wearing a mask and having their temperature taken, and any choices that the child can make. The social scripts include photographs and simple text. National Disability Services CEO Laurie Leigh said her organisation greatly values the partnership's efforts in supporting children with disabilities to receive the jab.
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Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

None this edition.

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E-Health

None this edition.

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Education and Training

21 February

Sydney Uni opens way for use of Doctor of Pharmacy title
The introduction of a combined Bachelors and Masters program of Pharmacy at the University of Sydney has been welcomed by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia. The National President of the Guild, Professor Trent Twomey, said the new course opened the way for graduates to use the title Doctor of Pharmacy. 'I congratulate the University of Sydney on being the first university to present this combined course,' Professor Twomey said. 'The Extended Masters qualification includes the Intern Year, and graduates will be able to use the title Doctor of Pharmacy.'
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practice accreditation committee registrations open
Applications are invited from registered Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners for appointment to the Aboriginal and Torre Strait Islander Health Practice Committee. The role of the Committee is to exercise accreditation functions under the National Law assigned by the Board. The functions are to:
- develop accreditation standards
- assess programs of study
- monitor approved programs of study and education providers to ensure they continue to meet the accreditation standards, and
- advise the Board of issues in education and practice which may impact on Aboriginal and Torres Islander health practice and the conduct of programs of study.
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Funding

24 February

$25.5 million to improve Aboriginal community controlled health service infrastructure
The Government has opened a $25.5 million funding round for critical infrastructure projects at Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) to support these services to continue their critical work. Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said that ACCHS are a core part of the Australian health system, delivering comprehensive primary health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt, said the funding round showed the Government was serious about closing the gap in health outcomes and life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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WA: $10 million to support outstanding health and medical research
WA Minister for Emergency Services Stephen Dawson has announced that Western Australia's highest-performing researchers are encouraged to apply for funding to help drive health and medical research, innovation and commercialisation. Up to $10 million is available over two years as part of the Research Excellence Awards 2022, an initiative funded by the Government's Future Health Research and Innovation Fund. Successful applicants will be able to apply the funding strategically to research opportunities to drive outcomes The program supports excellence across career stages, with the grants awarded through two streams - early and mid-career researchers and established researchers. Up to 30 researchers will be selected in each stream.
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22 February

$21.9 million funds research partnerships that meet real-world health needs
The National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) welcomes the announcement by the Australian Government of more than $5.6 million to fund the latest round of Partnership Projects. These research projects have also attracted $16.3 million from more than 60 funding partners, bringing the total to $21.9 million to support five projects. NHMRC CEO Professor Anne Kelso AO welcomed the additional support of all partners. 'The participation and support from partners are key to the success of these projects, enabling the research, ensuring it meets real-world needs and then applying the outcomes,' she said.
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21 February

$23 million for preventive health projects in Victoria
The Government is investing $23 million in three Victorian health projects that will help prevent chronic diseases and improve health and wellbeing of Australians. In partnership with the Victorian Government, the preventative health projects aim to tackle chronic disease, obesity and reduce the number of avoidable hospitalisations related to cardiovascular disease. Minister Hunt said chronic conditions are the leading cause of ill health and death in Australia and account for 87 per cent of deaths. 'Each year, one Australian dies of cardiovascular disease every 12 minutes,' Minister Hunt said.
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WA: Funding opportunity to set up health and medical researchers for success
The WA Government is giving Western Australian health and medical researchers a second chance to secure a grant through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC),' said WA Minister for Emergency Services; Innovation and ICT; Medical Research; Volunteering Stephen Dawson. The WA Near-miss Awards (WANMA) program targets researchers who narrowly missed out on securing an NHMRC grant, which is considered a critical career milestone for researchers. The WANMA program is funded by the State Government's Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund, which provides a secure source of funding to drive health and medical research, innovation and commercialisation.
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Health Professionals

23 February

A highly skilled nursing workforce will lead Australians into the 22nd century said ACN Pre-Budget Submission
The Australian College of Nursing's (ACN) 2022/23 Pre-Budget Submission highlights why growing the number of senior clinical registered nurses who meet advanced practice requirements is essential to improving the health of all Australians for generations to come. 'There are over 400,000 nurses, making us the largest health workforce nationally and we deliver care across all health sectors, in primary care, mental health, aged care, community care and in hospitals,' ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN said.
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17 February

NSW: NSW welcomes 291 paramedic interns to its ranks
The people of NSW will have close to 300 new paramedics to call on in the coming weeks following a graduation ceremony held at Sydney Olympic Park. NSW Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the additional graduates are a welcome boost to the NSW Ambulance workforce, which has been doing an incredible job on the frontline throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Across the health system, we've seen our health workers go above and beyond during the pandemic and our wonderful NSW Ambulance paramedics are among those leading the charge,' Mrs Taylor said.
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Hospitals

24 February

VIC: Delivering better healthcare for Mount Alexander Shire
Mount Alexander Shire residents will benefit from better integrated healthcare following a voluntary amalgamation of the local health services. Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley approved the voluntary amalgamation proposal put forward by the Boards of Castlemaine Health and the Maldon Hospital after being satisfied that it would deliver clear benefits to the community. To be named Dhelkaya Health - meaning 'Good/Being Healthy' - the organisation will commence on March 1 and comes after extensive community and staff consultation across both health services and communities and will formalise the existing strong 42-year partnership between both services.
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21 February

VIC: Victoria's air ambulances soar to new heights
Four new ultra-modern aircraft fitted with high-tech patient care systems will join Victoria's fixed-wing air ambulance service, making the fleet the most innovative in the country and ensuring patients across the state have the best care available. Victorian Minister Foley announced Ambulance Victoria's current fixed-wing fleet would be replaced with four new Beechcraft King Air aircraft worth more than $300 million, taking off in 2024. Ambulance Victoria has signed a contract with Pel-Air Aviation to continue providing fixed wing air ambulance services in Victoria for another 12 years. As part of the contract, Pel-Air will supply four new fixed-wing aircraft, as well as pilots and engineering support.
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18 February

WA: Innovative Aboriginal led service helping older hospital patients return to their communities
The first of five partnerships with Aboriginal Medical Services (AMSs) to deliver care for older Aboriginals leaving hospital care has begun in Bunbury. The Transitional Care Program (TCP), jointly funded by the Federal and WA Governments, is a long-standing program which provides care to older people for up to 12 weeks after their hospital discharge, including social work, nursing support, personal care and allied health care. It ensures that people who no longer require hospital care have the necessary supports in place to safely return to the community and ensure hospital beds are available to patients with acute care needs, said WA Minister for Health Amber-Jade Sanderson.
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Insurance

24 February

New data shows how the genetics moratorium for life insurance works for Australians
The Financial Services Council (FSC) has released findings of the genetic testing data collected by the life insurance industry to give Australian's confidence that the FSC's Moratorium on genetic test means they can access a level of life insurance cover and still participate in important genomic research. FSC Policy Director for Life Insurance, Nick Kirwan, said the life insurance industry understood the importance of genetic tests in improving health outcomes for Australians. 'When we established the Moratorium on life insurance genetic test results back in 2019, we wanted to make sure that every Australian can take part in genetic research.'
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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 February

VIC: Mental health support for those with small businesses in mind
Member-based business organisations are being offered tailored mental health and wellbeing support, through a Victorian Government initiative. Victorian Minister for Small Business Jaala Pulford announced the Mental Wellbeing of Business Communities Grants Program, providing up to 200 member-based business communities with a $15,000 grant for training and tailored support to manage stress and anxiety. Under this program, a 'Business Community' is defined as a not-for-profit member-based organisation which represents, serves and advocates for its business members. Eligible business communities include chambers of commerce, business councils, industry associations and trader groups, with the program set to have flow-on effects for the tens of thousands of Victorian small businesses they support.
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System

None this edition.

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Pharmaceuticals and Regulation

22 February

QLD: Pharmacy Guild QLD welcomes Government report calling for full scope of practice
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch has welcomed the findings of a Queensland Government report calling for an expansion of primary healthcare services offered by community pharmacists. The report, 'Unleashing the potential: an open and equitable health system,' presents expert advice to the Queensland Government on 'how best to harness the opportunities arising from the COVID-19 pandemic response to support the best possible health and healthcare for Queenslanders.' The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch President, Chris Owen, welcomed the report's release and said community pharmacists were ready and willing to take part in seeing the recommendations put into action.
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