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)

27 August

Update on NDIS participants and COVID-19
Below is the daily update on NDIS participants and workforce and COVID-19 for Thursday, 27 August 2020. The reporting will ensure accurate and timely information is being provided to the community. The data is collated through reporting mechanisms of the NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission and compiled by the Commonwealth's NDIS Critical Response Group, said Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Stuart Robert.
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Australian support to Solomon Islands
'Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare discussed key regional issues including the impact of COVID-19 and our joint efforts to combat its spread in the Pacific region,' said Minister for International Development and the Pacific Alex Hawke. 'Having visited each other's countries in 2019, the two Prime Ministers committed to new measures to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. Prime Minister Morrison informed Prime Minister Sogavare of Australia's agreement to provide further support for the development of the Tina River hydropower project through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility, at Solomon Islands' request. Officials from Australia and Solomon Islands are working through detailed arrangements.'
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QLD: Volunteers needed for next phase of trials on Qld COVID-19 vaccine
A call has been put out for volunteers to take part in the next stage of clinical trials on Queensland's coronavirus vaccine. On 13 July Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk put the call out for 120 volunteers aged between 18 and 55 to take part in clinical trials for the University of Queensland's coronavirus vaccine - widely recognised to be one of the most promising vaccine candidates. Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Steven Miles said following positive results from the first stage of testing, UQ now has approval to extend phase one clinical trials to people aged 56 and over.
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26 August

COVID-19 vaccine access for the region
Australia will support the Gavi COVAX Facility Advance Market Commitment (COVAX AMC) to improve access to safe, effective and affordable COVID-19 vaccines. Australia's contribution of $80 million will help secure COVID-19 vaccines, providing doses for up to 20 percent of countries' populations in its first phase, ensuring that health care workers and vulnerable groups have access, said Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Women Marise Payne, Minister for Health Greg Hunt and Minister Hawke. Pacific countries eligible for COVAX AMC support include Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Kiribati. Eligible countries from Southeast Asia are Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, The Philippines and Vietnam.
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Ventilators permitted for supply under COVID-19 Emergency Exemption
On 8 April 2020 the Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices-Ventilators) (COVID-19 Emergency) Exemption 2020 was made to support the Australian Government's rapid response to the COVID-19 emergency by facilitating access to medical devices to treat patients requiring invasive ventilation. The exemption instrument remains in force until 31 January 2021. Manufacturers may not supply new ventilators after this date, but healthcare facilities may continue to use ventilators they have acquired under the exemption. said the Department of Health and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
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COVID-19: A catalyst for rethinking healthcare
'Our nation's experience in tackling the challenges of COVID-19 provides a catalyst for reimagining healthcare', said Alison Verhoeven, Chief Executive of the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA). 'Not only do we have to be better prepared for future shocks such as climate-related emergencies and pandemics, but we also need a more modern, sustainable and resilient health system. Identifying what is no longer required will be just as important as determining what is.' Ms Verhoeven was commenting on a new report released by the AHHA, Australian healthcare after COVID-19: An opportunity to think differently.
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COVAX funding welcomed as government plays catch up
Labor welcomes the Government's support for the COVAX Facility Advance Market Commitment but calls on Scott Morrison to make clear what existing lifesaving programs he plans to cut in order to fund the 80 million dollar investment. Reports suggest this commitment will be drawn from the existing aid budget at the expense of other programs. It's in Australia's interests to be the partner of choice in the region, said Shadow Minister For International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy, Shadow Minister for Health Chris Bowen and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong.
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NSW: Women at Randwick, City Tattersalls, Virgin Gym Zetland, bus routes in Blacktown, Rouse Hill and Mt Druitt
NSW Health are alerting the public to updated locations visited by confirmed cases of COVID-19 among residents of the Sydney, South Eastern Sydney, and Northern Sydney LHDs. One new case, linked to the City Tattersalls gym, visited Royal Hospital for Women at Randwick on the morning of Tuesday, 25 August. The person at the Royal Hospital for Women visited the Windscreens Cafe located in the hospital foyer. The person followed the measures required of hospital visitors, including screening checks on entry to the hospital.
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VIC: Crucial medical research joins coronavirus fight
Victoria's world-leading medical researchers are making significant strides in the battle against coronavirus, with the Victorian State Government providing support for projects on multiple fronts, said Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. The Victorian State Government has invested more than $14.7 million in 17 projects dedicated to fighting coronavirus and being conducted by the state's renowned medical research institutes and universities. This work has already resulted in a consortium led by the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, one of the leading research institutes, using antibodies to prevent coronavirus from infecting human cells under laboratory conditions, said Victorian Minister for Medical Research Jaala Pulford.
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25 August

Update on NDIS participants and COVID-19
Minister Robert said that below is the daily update on NDIS participants and workforce and COVID-19. The reporting will ensure accurate and timely information is being provided to the community. The data is collated through reporting mechanisms of the NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission and compiled by the Commonwealth's NDIS Critical Response Group.
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24 August

NSW: NSW Health response to final report of the independent review into the Newmarch House COVID-19 outbreak
NSW Health notes the work undertaken by the independent review into the Newmarch House COVID-19 Outbreak and the publication of its final report. NSW Health sincerely acknowledges the significant impact of the outbreak in Newmarch House on residents and their families; not only in terms of the 19 resident lives sadly lost, but also for other residents and the staff involved in delivering care. NSW Health accepts there are learnings from the experience which can assist in the prevention of future events.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
Three new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 3,799. There were 20,720 tests reported in the 24-hour reporting period, compared with 26,480 in the previous 24 hours. There have now been more than two million tests in NSW. NSW Health would like to thank everyone who has come forward for testing. Of the three new cases reported:
- two cases were acquired overseas and are in hotel quarantine
- one case is a close contact of a previous case. The close contact of a previous case was a healthcare worker at Liverpool Hospital.
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SA: Expansion of COVID-19 Control Centre
The headquarters of the SA Government's strong COVID-19 plan will be expanded and the team bolstered to secure the State's ongoing, coordinated whole-of-government pandemic response. SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said a larger State Control Centre - Health (SCC-H) would ensure South Australia was better equipped to continue to tackle the long-term challenge posed by COVID-19. 'Bolstering the State's already significant communication, logistics, intelligence and exemptions capabilities is part of the Marshall Liberal Government's strong plan to protect South Australians from COVID-19,' Minister Wade said.
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VIC: Keeping the tools needed to continue Coronavirus fight
Legislation changes will be introduced into the Victorian Parliament to ensure the public health directions protecting Victorians from coronavirus can continue to be enforced. Some of the key public health protections required to manage this pandemic are only available when a State of Emergency has been declared under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 - such as mandatory face coverings, requiring workplaces to have a COVIDSafe Plan and the current and past restrictions that have helped slow the spread of the virus, said Victorian Premier Andrews and Victorian Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos.
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23 August

Develop plan to distribute COVID-19 vaccination now
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) President, Dr Omar Khorshid, said a COVID-19 vaccination is likely to be the only way Australia will successfully be able to emerge from the Coronavirus pandemic. 'It is pleasing to see that the efforts of the medical and scientific community to fast track a safe and effective vaccine are going well and that the Government has a plan to make a vaccine available to all Australians. The greatest challenge is likely to be accessing enough doses of an approved vaccine and we expect that it will take some time to provide enough vaccine for the whole population.'
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22 August

Support for remote Indigenous communities at high risk from COVID-19
New modelling confirms the vital importance of continuing support and resources provided to remote communities to protect them from COVID-19. Indigenous Australians and Torres Strait Islander people experience a burden of disease 2.3 times the rate of other Australians, which increases their risk of severe illness from the virus. Minister Hunt said the Government is taking the necessary actions to ensure all Australians are safe, protected and have access to appropriate health care now and beyond the COVID-19. Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt said the Government has also worked with the Indigenous health sector to ensure communities are prepared.
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NSW: Public health update - Second hotel security guard tests positive
A second security guard who worked at the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel while it was operating for people in quarantine from overseas has been diagnosed with COVID-19, said the NSW Department of Health. The first case was announced on 17 August. An extensive investigation has been underway as to how the infection may have been acquired. More than 700 contacts of that case have been tested to date. All have returned a negative result except the newly diagnosed security guard. The newly diagnosed guard worked at the hotel on 3 August, 5 August, 9 August, 10 August and 11 August.
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QLD: Urgent new COVID-19 measures after youth detention centre cluster detected
Queensland Health is putting in place urgent extra protection measures after a further six people associated with the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre tested positive to COVID-19. A total of seven people associated with the centre have now tested positive. Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young has ordered upgraded restrictions on aged and other care facilities and hospitals across Greater Brisbane, and Ipswich and surrounds. Gatherings in homes and in public have been restricted to 10 people in the following local government areas: City of Brisbane, City of Ipswich, Logan City, Scenic Rim Region, Somerset Region, Lockyer Valley Region, Moreton Bay Region, Redlands City.
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21 August

National Cabinet
The National Cabinet met to discuss Australia's economic recovery, Australia's COVID-19 health and aged care responses and the Victorian outbreak, said Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The Acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, provided an update on the measures underway, the latest data and health advice in relation to COVID-19. There have been over 24,000 confirmed cases in Australia and sadly 472 people have died. The outbreak in Victoria has meant that there are now around 5,000 active cases in Australia. Daily infection rates have remained low in all states and territories, other than Victoria. At the national level testing remains high, with more than 5.5 million tests undertaken.
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Reinforcement of Australia's aged care sector
The Government will scale up aged care support programs in Victoria and across Australia with an additional $171.5 million to boost a new COVID-19 response plan agreed by all states and territories at National Cabinet. Prime Minister Morrison said more funding would be used to continue current programs for infection control training and surge workforce staff, alongside greater compliance by the Aged Care Commissioner and coordinated response centres. Minister Hunt and Minister for Aged Care Richard Colbeck said it was imperative that the Government adopt a multi-pronged approach to respond to the pandemic in aged care, which was bearing the brunt of the pandemic.
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Aged Care

27 August

Minister for Aged Care can run but he can't hide from aged care disaster
'The Minister for Aged Care, Richard Colbeck, can walk away from scrutiny in the Senate but there is no escaping his Government's failure to protect older Australians who have tragically passed away from COVID-19 in aged care,' said Shadow Minister for Ageing and Seniors Julie Collins. 'In an extraordinary attempt to avoid scrutiny, the Minister scurried from the Senate while Labor Senators responded to his weak defence of the Government's terrible record on aged care. Australians who have tragically been let down by Scott Morrison and his Minister for Aged Care deserve answers.'
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26 August

National Meals on Wheels Day
Deliveries of prepared meals have helped support hundreds of thousands of senior Australians, amid a spike in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. National Meals on Wheels Day, the Australian Government acknowledges the vital Meals on Wheels service and its largely volunteer workforce. The Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck, said significant investment from the Australian Government had reinforced the service during a challenging time.
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Scott Morrison refuses to take responsibility for his $1.7B cut to aged care
Despite nursing homes across the country crying out for more support to keep residents safe from COVID-19 Scott Morrison refuses take responsibility for the cuts he made to aged care as Treasurer. Even before COVID-19 hit aged care, almost 200 nursing homes across the country were on the brink of closure after Scott Morrison cut $1.7bIllion from aged care as Treasurer. 'How can anyone trust this Government to fix Australia's broken aged care system and respond to threat of COVID-19 when Scott Morrison refuses to be honest?' asked Shadow Minister Collins.
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TAS: Labor wrong on aged care response
'Rebecca White is completely wrong on aged care and shouldn't play politics with such a sensitive issue,' said Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein. 'There is no doubt that Tasmania's aged care sector has been impacted heavily by the COVID-19 pandemic and both the State and Federal Governments are doing all we can to support them through it. Since late March, the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Department of Health has been meeting regularly with representatives of the Aged Care Sector in Tasmania, including the three industry peak bodies and members of those peaks to ensure their preparedness should an outbreak occur.'
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TAS: Government inconclusive on managing an aged care outbreak
Tasmanian Leader of the Opposition Rebecca White said the Premier had failed to table in Parliament an update on progress on plans agreed to by National Cabinet on the 7th of August to assist the aged care sector manage COVID-19. 'National Cabinet agreed that states would conduct an audit of aged care emergency response capabilities and develop plans over the two weeks from the 7th August to manage infection control, the use of face marks and the establishment of Coordination centres, similar to the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre,' said Ms White.
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WA: Social Connectivity Grants to strengthen seniors' ties to community
A $250,000 State Government grants program will support projects and initiatives that reconnect seniors who have experienced isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Age-friendly Communities Social Connectivity Grants Program will support capacity-building projects that prevent older people from experiencing isolation and reduce the risk and occurrence of elder abuse. Grants of up to $15,000 are available to local governments and community organisations, said WA Minister for Seniors and Ageing Mick Murray.
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25 August

Newmarch House report vindicates AMA calls for urgent assessments of all aged care homes
The report on the Newmarch House COVID-19 outbreak vindicates the AMA's calls for urgent assessments of all aged care homes to manage the pandemic, Australian Medical Association (AMA) President, Dr Omar Khorshid, said. The AMA has called for every residential aged care home in Australia to be urgently and comprehensively assessed for its ability to safely care for residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. 'In April, following reports from our members, we called for improved cohorting guidance in aged care homes. We argued that isolating infected residents in their rooms would not work, given the high virulence of COVID-19,' Dr Khorshid said.
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Community has lost confidence in the Government and Minister on aged care
The Greens said that the community has lost confidence in the Government's ability to manage aged care calling their handling of the crisis and failure to take responsibility a debacle. 'Aged care is a debacle in this country,' Greens spokesperson on Ageing Senator Rachel Siewert said. 'We have no national coordinating body to address the COVID crisis in aged care.
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VIC: Operational update
Daily update from the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre:
- There were 13 facilities in the Response Centre's 'high risk' category in early August when the Centre first began operating. That has reduced to 3 facilities this week. These high risk facilities are being actively monitored but are stable and well supported.
- Of the 767 facilities in Victoria, less than 1% are in the high risk category (0.39%).
- Total number of aged care outbreaks since 1 January 2020 is 161.
- 126 facilities currently have outbreaks, 16.4% of all facilities in Victoria.
- There are currently 1,568 active cases in aged care in Victoria.
- This is a reduction of 48 cases.
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24 August

Release of Newmarch House review
The Government releases the review findings into the spread of COVID-19 at Sydney aged care facility Newmarch House. In offering further condolences to the families of the 19 residents who died as a result of the outbreak between April and June, Minister Colbeck said lessons learned are being implemented to offer greater protections as they continue to combat the pandemic. 'The outbreak at Anglicare's Newmarch House was incredibly challenging and underlined the impact this infection can have within an aged care facility,' Minister Colbeck said.
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Aged care policy must be about prevention: latest boost is just more life support
The peak body for non-profit aged care providers Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) said the latest increase in federal funds is welcome to provide support where there are outbreaks but won't do enough to prevent them 'Any additional investment is obviously very welcome but we need to see big changes to prevent outbreaks,' ACSA CEO Patricia Sparrow said. 'While there is community transmission we can't guarantee cases won't get into aged care but our policies should aim for this and support early intervention.'
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Newmarch House outbreak highlights critical need for hospital transfer of first COVID positive aged care residents
The peak body for non-profit aged care providers ACSA has welcomed the release of the Newmarch House report, broadly supporting the majority of the findings and recommendations of the independent review. ACSA CEO Pat Sparrow said critical lessons must be taken from this important independent review and applied to planning for future outbreaks. 'What happened at Newmarch House is a tragedy for all concerned, the residents, their families, the staff at Newmarch House and all of us in the community,' she said.
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Frailty index may improve care for older Australians
A new 'frailty index' has been developed which may help identify elderly people at high risk who could then receive targeted interventions to delay admitting them to residential aged care, according to research published online by the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA). The researchers analysed de-identified data from 903 996 non-Indigenous Australians aged 65 years or more, living in the community and assessed for subsidised aged care eligibility (by an Aged Care Assessment Team) during 2003-2013. They then worked through 204 candidate variables, with the final index including 44 variables: eight activity limitations, 24 health conditions, and 12 signs and symptoms.
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Separating palliative care from voluntary assisted dying
There is a continuing need to increase public awareness of palliative care and clarify misperceptions about its differentiation from voluntary assisted dying, according to the authors of a Perspective published online by the MJA. The Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 (Vic) came into effect in Victoria on 19 June 2019. 'Population-based studies demonstrate a public misperception associating palliative care with euthanasia,' wrote the authors, Dr Eswaran Waran, a palliative medicine specialist at Eastern Health in Melbourne, and Associate Professor Leeroy William, Clinical Director of Supportive and Palliative Care at Eastern Health and President of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine.
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Newmarch House report exposes Morrison Government's aged care catastrophe
The Newmarch House report confirms the Government has learnt nothing from tragic outbreaks of COVID-19 in New South Wales before the disease tragically tore through Victorian aged care homes. It is heartbreaking and completely unforgiveable that history has repeated itself across multiple Victorian aged care homes. Scott Morrison must take full responsibility for this failure. Issue after issue identified in the Report as contributing to the tragic outbreak at Newmarch House was not fixed by the Government in the critical weeks before COVID-19 hit Victorian aged care homes, said Shadow Minister Collins.
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NSW: NSW Health response to final report of the independent review into the Newmarch House COVID-19 outbreak
NSW Health notes the work undertaken by the independent review into the Newmarch House COVID-19 Outbreak and the publication of its final report. NSW Health sincerely acknowledges the significant impact of the outbreak in Newmarch House on residents and their families; not only in terms of the 19 resident lives sadly lost, but also for other residents and the staff involved in delivering care. NSW Health accepts there are learnings from the experience which can assist in the prevention of future events.
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VIC: Operational Update from the Response Centre
Daily update from the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre:
- There were 13 facilities in the Response Centre's 'high risk' category in early August when the Centre first began operating. That has reduced to 3 facilities this week. These high risk facilities are being actively monitored but are stable and well supported.
- Of the 767 facilities in Victoria, less than 1% are in the high risk category.
- Total number of aged care outbreaks since 1 January 2020 is 161.
- 126 facilities currently have outbreaks, 16.4% of all facilities in Victoria.
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21 August

Reinforcement of Australia's aged care sector
The Government will scale up aged care support programs in Victoria and across Australia with an additional $171.5 million to boost a new COVID-19 response plan agreed by all states and territories at National Cabinet. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said more funding would be used to continue current programs for infection control training and surge workforce staff, alongside greater compliance by the Aged Care Commissioner and coordinated response centres. Minister for Health Greg Hunt and Minister Colbeck said it was imperative that the Government adopt a multi-pronged approach to respond to the pandemic in aged care, which was bearing the brunt of the pandemic.
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Extra funding for aged care not enough to fix aged care
'The additional $171m in funding for aged care is way too low to fix the deep cracks in aged care and that the sector needs an urgent $3billion injection,' said Senator Siewert. 'There must be an immediate injection of $3 billion dollars into aged care to increase the level and hours of care residents need, to ensure nursing and caring staff to resident ratios provide proper levels of care for residents. The next step is to implement recommendations designed to end clinical failures identified by many including a Senate inquiry in April 2019.'
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Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

27 August

Higher funding needed for residential aged care
Research from the University of Queensland estimates that if aged care homes operate efficiently it would cost around $621 million per year to improve all homes to the best quality level measured in Australia's current aged care system. The cost for all aged care homes to improve quality and to operate with a small-sized home model would be around $3.2 billion per year. The University of Queensland conducted its research for the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety using detailed financial data, a comprehensive set of care quality indicators for aged care homes, and a measure of relative care needs, which was developed by the University of Wollongong.
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24 August

Australia far behind in monitoring aged care quality
New research shows Australia could immediately establish independent, transparent, routine monitoring and public reporting of many aspects of aged care quality outcomes similar to leading countries like Denmark, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, and the USA, said the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Currently the Government has no care quality outcome reporting for home care and reports on only three indicators for residential care. The research, which was performed by the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, shows a large range of quality outcome indicators can be produced from existing data without any burden to aged care providers.
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Allied Health

None this edition.

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Children's Health

27 August

Katherine recruits wanted to help with chronic ear health problems
Newly graduated ear health facilitators will provide local knowledge and expertise when checking the ears and hearing of NT children. Menzies School of Health Research celebrated the first graduates of its Hearing for Learning Initiative who have gained Certificate II training in Aboriginal Primary Health Care, and enhanced skills in detecting ear and hearing problems this month. The community-based solution to the life-long problem of hearing loss among almost all Aboriginal children is also being rolled out in Katherine later this year. Graduates will have the opportunity to transition to employment in clinics as ear health facilitators.
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24 August

Hazelwood coalmine fire exposed unborn children to respiratory damage
In utero exposure to the air pollution caused by the Hazelwood coalmine fire has been associated with increased reports of respiratory infections and wheeze in young children 2-4 years later, leading to a call for public health responses to forefront the protection of pregnant women and young children. Research published online by the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) analysed data from 79 children who were exposed to the Hazelwood smoke while in utero, 81 who were 0-2 years old when exposed to the smoke, and 129 who were conceived after the fire (i.e., unexposed).
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Clinical Governance

26 August

ACCC grants authorisation to the Australian Medical Association (New South Wales)
The ACCC has issued a determination granting conditional authorisation to enable AMA NSW and participating VMOs to collectively negotiate with Private Hospital Operators regarding the terms and conditions (including remuneration) for VMOs engaged to provide medical services to public patients in the NSW private hospital system in responding to the Pandemic. The ACCC may grant authorisation which provides organisations with legal protection for arrangements that may otherwise risk breaching competition law but are not harmful to competition and/or are likely to result in overall public benefits.
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Construction and Health Infrastructure

None this edition.

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Dental

None this edition.

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Disabilities

28 August

Landmark reforms to deliver on the promise of Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Stuart Robert announced the most substantial package of reforms to the NDIS since its establishment. The package includes implementation of the Government's Response to the 2019 Independent Review of the NDIS Act (Tune Review) and the new NDIS Participant Service Guarantee. These reforms will help deliver on the promise of the NDIS - to provide people with a permanent and significant disability true choice and control over a flexible support package to achieve their goals. The Government supports, or supports in principle, all of the recommendations of the Tune Review, completed by Mr David Tune AO PSM.
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27 August

Update on NDIS participants and COVID-19
Below is the daily update on NDIS participants and workforce and COVID-19 for Thursday, 27 August 2020. The reporting will ensure accurate and timely information is being provided to the community. The data is collated through reporting mechanisms of the NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission and compiled by the Commonwealth's NDIS Critical Response Group, said Minister Robert.
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26 August

Update on NDIS participants and COVID-19
Below is the daily update on NDIS participants and workforce and COVID-19 for Wednesday, 26 August 2020. The reporting will ensure accurate and timely information is being provided to the community. The data is collated through reporting mechanisms of the NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission and compiled by the Commonwealth's NDIS Critical Response Group, said Minister Robert.
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24 August

Update on NDIS and COVID-19
Minister Robert said that the Government reminds NDIS participants, disability support workers and NDIS providers of measures in place to ensure continuity of services in a COVIDSafe setting:
- The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has created a panel of four large experienced disability providers in Victoria to offer additional workforce support for participants living in residential support settings if required.
- Aspen Medical has been appointed to provide a clinical first response for any identified outbreak in Victoria, which will ensure that infection control procedures, personal protective equipment (PPE) and nursing support is immediately in place for residents and workers, if needed.
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22 August

NDIS update for Queensland
Minister Robert has announced temporary changes in response to the Queensland Government's new Disability Accommodation Services Direction. Temporary changes in restricted areas of Queensland include allowing:
- NDIS participants to claim the cost of personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, for use when a worker is with them
- NDIS providers to directly claim the costs of PPE for workers from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)
'The Government is taking proactive steps to support the disability sector in Queensland, as part of the Government wider plan to support the disability sector through the coronavirus pandemic,' Minister Robert said.
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Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

26 August

The Criminal Justice System - Issues Paper
The Law Council made a substantial submission to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Royal Commission) in response to its Issues Paper: Criminal Justice System. The Law Council welcomes the Royal Commission's focus on this issue. People with disability are significantly overrepresented across the criminal justice system in Australia, as victims as well as persons accused or convicted of crime. They are also at heightened risk of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation in criminal justice settings.
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E-Health

None this edition.

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Education and Training

21 August

Rural training delivering for the bush
An independent review of one of Australia's key rural training programs shows it is providing significant opportunities and a rewarding experience for health students in rural communities. The evaluation of the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) showed the program has successfully supported rural clinical training experiences for students across a range of health disciplines for the past 20 years. Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton said the RHMT program plays a key role in supporting health students to train, work and stay in rural and remote locations.
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Funding

None this edition.

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Health Professionals

26 August

Pandemic leave disaster payment for Tasmania
Tasmanian workers are now eligible for a $1,500 Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment if they cannot work because they need to self-isolate or quarantine. The Australian Government has extended Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment arrangements to include Tasmania following agreement with the Tasmanian Government. It is a lump sum payment to help workers during their 14 day self-isolation period and applies from 22 August 2020. If an individual is instructed by a health official to stay home from work, and has used up all their sick leave entitlements, including any special pandemic leave, they may be eligible to make a claim, said Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein and Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Stuart Robert.
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COVID-19 vaccine access for the region
Australia will support the Gavi COVAX Facility Advance Market Commitment (COVAX AMC) to improve access to safe, effective and affordable COVID-19 vaccines. Australia's contribution of $80 million will help secure COVID-19 vaccines, providing doses for up to 20 percent of countries' populations in its first phase, ensuring that health care workers and vulnerable groups have access, said Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Women Marise Payne, Minister for Health Greg Hunt and Minister for International Development and the Pacific Alex Hawke. Pacific countries eligible for COVAX AMC support include Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Kiribati. Eligible countries from Southeast Asia are Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, The Philippines and Vietnam.
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COVAX funding welcomed as government plays catch up
Labor welcomes the Government's support for the COVAX Facility Advance Market Commitment but calls on Scott Morrison to make clear what existing lifesaving programs he plans to cut in order to fund the 80 million dollar investment. Reports suggest this commitment will be drawn from the existing aid budget at the expense of other programs. It's in Australia's interests to be the partner of choice in the region, said Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy, Shadow Minister for Health Chris Bowen and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong.
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Labor welcomes funding lifeline for ACICIS - but why did it take so long?
Labor welcomes the Government's decision to provide a financial lifeline to the Australian Consortium for 'In-Country' Indonesian Studies (ACICIS). This important organisation has helped build closer relations between Australia and Indonesia for the past 25 years. But Labor questions why the Government took so long to answer the call for help from ACICIS, which was forced to retrench 60 per cent of its staff while it waited for a response, said Shadow Minister for Trade Madeleine King and Shadow Minister Wong.
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WA: Bunbury training centre to meet aged care and disability workforce needs
WA Minister for Education and Training Sue Ellery opened the brand new National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Training Centre at South Regional TAFE's Bunbury campus. To ensure students graduate job-ready, the $1.3 million project includes teaching spaces, a simulated in-home care area and residential care facility, fully equipped to industry standard. The Bunbury NDIS training centre will provide the best learning environment possible, so graduates can deliver quality care to clients, while meeting local demand for skilled workers in aged and disability sectors, said WA Minister for Disability Services Stephen Dawson.
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25 August

Too little too late - how many more healthcare worker infections will it take?
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) demanded revised guidelines on personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers, following revelations that more than 2,500 Victorian healthcare workers have contracted COVID-19. 'The proposals announced by the Victorian Government are too little, too late,' AMA President, Dr Omar Khorshid, said. 'More than two-thirds of the second wave infections of healthcare workers in Victoria have been confirmed to have happened in the workplace. The Victorian Government is still not taking this issue seriously, despite more than 2,500 infections. Work Health Safety plans for all aged care, disability care, and hospital services need urgent revision to ensure they are providing infection control for protection of staff.'
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TAS: Integrity Commission Report into THS North West
'As Minister for Health, I have an expectation that all staff across the Tasmanian Health Service and the Department of Health will come to work for each shift knowing they have the opportunity to contribute to a workplace underpinned by the core values of integrity, accountability, working together and a focus on supporting people,' said Tasmanian Minister for Health Sarah Courtney. 'The behaviour that is outlined in the Integrity Commission's Summary Report, which was tabled in Parliament today, is unacceptable. I have asked the Secretary of the Department of Health to review the Report and provide the Government with advice.'
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Hospitals

26 August

Ventilators permitted for supply under COVID-19 Emergency Exemption
On 8 April 2020 the Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices-Ventilators) (COVID-19 Emergency) Exemption 2020 was made to support the Australian Government's rapid response to the COVID-19 emergency by facilitating access to medical devices to treat patients requiring invasive ventilation. The exemption instrument remains in force until 31 January 2021. Manufacturers may not supply new ventilators after this date, but healthcare facilities may continue to use ventilators they have acquired under the exemption. said the Department of Health and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
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COVID-19: A catalyst for rethinking healthcare
'Our nation's experience in tackling the challenges of COVID-19 provides a catalyst for reimagining healthcare', said Alison Verhoeven, Chief Executive of the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA). 'Not only do we have to be better prepared for future shocks such as climate-related emergencies and pandemics, but we also need a more modern, sustainable and resilient health system. Identifying what is no longer required will be just as important as determining what is.'
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TAS: More people coming forward with alarming Mersey ED incidents
Tasmanian Labor is hearing alarming stories from members of the local community who are impacted by reduced hours at the Mersey Community Hospital's emergency department. Tasmanian Member for Braddon Anita Dow said the downgrading of hours at the ED was causing distress in the North West community. 'Since the announcement to reduce hours at the Mersey ED, many people have contacted Labor with troubling stories about their experiences, including the family of an older gentleman who had two strokes in June,' Ms Dow said.
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24 August

TAS: Commercial developments vital for Tasmania's economy and health system
Projects such as the North Hobart Private Hospital will create investment and jobs for the vital building and construction sector, along with additional health care services for greater Hobart. 'Developments like this are exactly what Tasmania needs as we recover and rebuild from COVID-19. I am aware that the $55 million development has undergone a number of changes to help address concerns previously raised for compliance with planning regulations and, should the project be approved, it would send a clear message to investors that Hobart welcomes commercial development across a number of areas,' said Tasmanian Member for Clark Elise Archer.
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TAS: Petition to restore 24/7 emergency department at Mersey Hospital
Tasmanian Labor has launched a petition to restore the Mersey Community Hospital's 24-hour emergency department. Tasmanian Member for Braddon Anita Dow said the latest reduction in the Mersey's ED operating hours is another setback for the community: 'Health services in the North West were already compromised before COVID-19 which has shone a spotlight on our over-reliance on locums.' Tasmanian Member for Braddon Shane Broad said people on the North West coast deserve access to health care when and where they need it, and health professionals deserve a safe working environment.
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Insurance

26 August

DEPT OF HEALTH: PHI 62/20 - Hospital and Second-Tier Updates

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Medicare

None this edition.

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Men's Health

None this edition.

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Mental Health

27 August

Legislation introduced to help prevent veteran suicides
Attorney-General Christian Porter has introduced legislation to establish the new office of the National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention, and invited public feedback through a four-week consultation process. The National Commissioner will have powers broadly equivalent to a Royal Commission. But unlike Royal Commissions which examine issues at a fixed point in time, the National Commissioner will be a permanent office that can continually monitor the implementation of its own recommendations to ensure long-term solutions are delivered, while also being able to examine new issues which may arise over time.
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Welcome step towards suicide prevention for defence personnel and veterans
Legislation introduced by the Attorney-General is a significant step forward in the establishment of the National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention. This legislation will formally create the National Commissioner position and sets out the National Commissioner's functions and powers. The National Commissioner will have powers to inquire fully into deaths by suicide among Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and veterans. Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester said suicide prevention was one of the Government's highest priorities, including when it came to the men and women who serve or have served in the nation's defence force.
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Online mental health support for small businesses
The Government has invested an additional $3.1 million to expand mental health and wellbeing services available through the Ahead for Business initiative to ensure small business owners and their staff can access support and resources. Hosted by mental health organisation Everymind, the digital hub offers small and family businesses resources including articles, videos, podcasts and toolkits. Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash said while the financial assistance the government had provided was essential, it was imperative to also provide mental health and wellbeing support for those working in small businesses.
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25 August

NSW: Suicide prevention counsellors to support regional NSW
The new $6.75 million investment will provide suicide prevention services to support individuals and families in regional communities. Fifteen full-time specialist counsellors will work across regional NSW to provide support to anyone who is impacted by or thinking about suicide. The first two specialist counsellors will provide services in the Eurobodalla and Snowy Mountains regions. The specialist counsellors are part of the Premier's Priority of Towards zero suicides. The priority will invest $87 million over three years in new suicide prevention initiatives. NSW Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the relatively high rates of suicide in rural areas are devastating families and communities.
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24 August

NSW: New suicide prevention counsellors to help safeguard rural communities
15 full-time equivalent specialist counsellors will be deployed across rural NSW to help prevent suicide, with the first two counsellors starting in the Eurobodalla and Snowy Mountains regions. NSW Minister Taylor said the relatively high rates of suicide in rural areas are devastating families and communities, and the $6.75 million investment will add another layer of help. 'Many factors can contribute to suicide, from domestic violence, to relationship issues or unemployment, to stress and hardship,' Mrs Taylor said.
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System

None this edition.

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Pharmaceuticals

25 August

Consultation: Permissible ingredients annual changes 2020-21
The Therapeutic Goods (Permissible Ingredients) Determination is a legislative instrument under section 26BB of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. This instrument specifies all of the ingredients that are available for use in listed and assessed listed medicines and their associated requirements. The Determination is continually reviewed by the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) to ensure that all ingredients and their requirements are appropriate for use in low-risk medicines. The proposed ingredient changes in this consultation have been reviewed and categorised as being of low-negligible risk.
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