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)

20 May

Further Strengthening the COVID-19 vaccine rollout through primary care
Community pharmacies in selected rural and regional areas will be activated to support Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout out, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt and Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D'Ath. Over the coming weeks community pharmacies in rural and regional Queensland will be the first to be brought on board following a proposal to do so from the Government. This proposal follows a recent national cabinet decision (22 April 2021) where it was agreed that States and territories can choose to incorporate community pharmacies into their roll-out plans in rural and remote areas where there are no or limited other points of presence.
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A landmark day in Australia's COVID-19 vaccines rollout
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the announcement that up to 56 rural and remote community pharmacies in Queensland will shortly join the COVID-19 vaccine roll and start administering the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to eligible Australians. In a joint announcement the Minister for Health the Greg Hunt and Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services the Hon. Yvette D'Ath revealed community pharmacies in rural and remote Queensland who were successful in the recent EOI process would be activated to administer AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine within weeks.
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Queensland community pharmacies the first to rollout COVID-19 vaccinations
'Community pharmacies are highly accessible with 97% of consumers in capital cities and 65% in regional areas living within 2.5km of a pharmacy. Pharmacies are also the most frequently visited primary healthcare destinations, and staff are well placed for significant interactions with members of the public,' said Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch Acting President, Chris Owen.
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COVID Vaccination only pathway to more normal life
The AMA and members of the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) have said getting the COVID vaccination is the only pathway back to a more normal life. In a joint statement, the peak medical bodies have said the benefits of vaccination far outweigh any risks and urged all Australians to get vaccinated when their turn comes. The AMA and CPMC also reminded Australians the vaccination program had been extended to include all people aged 50 years and over. People in this age group are assessed as being at higher risk of severe COVID-19 and death.
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Morrison and Hunt undermining their own vaccine rollout
Greens Leader Adam Bandt says the Prime Minister must instruct his Health Minister to stop giving mixed messages on vaccines that could delay the national rollout. 'Comments today by Greg Hunt could lead people to think they should wait a few months to pick another option, undermining the central message of the vaccine rollout,' said Mr Bandt. 'Winter is coming, the spectre of further COVID outbreaks is real and the Morrison government hasn't built large-scale remote quarantine facilities, so the message must be to get vaccinated now, not to think about waiting a few months.'
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NSW: Expansion of Pfizer hubs for vaccine rollout
The NSW Government accelerated the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine with 25 Pfizer sites across the state now taking bookings for people aged 40 to 49 said NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard. 17 of these are in rural and regional NSW. These sites are spread across both Greater Sydney and rural and regional NSW ensuring as many people as possible have access to the vaccine. Around 23,500 people aged between 40 and 49 have already been invited to book a vaccine at a NSW Health clinic, with 12,000 people already booked for the Pfizer jab. Premier Berejiklian said it was great to see such a positive response from the public to register for the vaccine.
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WA: WA supports India and neighbouring countries amidst COVID crisis
The WA Government is sending an urgent COVID-19 aid package to India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The COVID-19 package comprises 18 ventilators and PPE, including approximately 10 million masks, more than 419,000 gloves and more than 3,100 coveralls. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is managing the aid arrangements and will facilitate the distribution of donated items from States and Territories to these countries that have sought assistance from the Commonwealth. This is in addition to the State Government's $2 million relief funding program to help India through its second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, said WA Premier Mark McGowan.
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19 May

AMA members are also supporting their medical colleagues in India
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has partnered with children's charity, UNICEF, in an appeal for funds for desperately-needed health care during India's COVID-19 crisis. AMA members support the appeal and are also supporting their sister organisation, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which has been at the forefront of managing India's COVID-19 response. The appeal follows talks between the AMA and the IMA and high-level diplomatic discussions over the worsening situation in India. AMA has consulted with Australia's High Commissioner in India, Barry O'Farrell and on Friday, AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid met with India's Deputy High Commissioner to Australia, P.S. Karthigeyan.
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WA: COVID-19 update 19 May 2021
The Department of Health has reported no new cases of COVID-19. The State's total stands at 1015. WA Health is monitoring six active cases of COVID-19 - 1000 people have recovered from the virus in WA. To date, the WA Department of Health has administered 136,404 COVID-19 vaccinations, including 31,455 people who have received both doses.
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18 May

Prepare Australia before opening up to the world
The Australian Medical Association called on National Cabinet to adopt interim steps to strengthen hotel quarantine and to establish long term dedicated quarantine facilities to manage the ongoing risks of COVID-19. AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid said that with COVID-19 continuing to spread internationally, Australia cannot keep its international borders closed indefinitely. 'While international border closures have sheltered Australia from the worst impacts of COVID- 19, we know these are having a significant detrimental impact on some areas of the Australian economy,' AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid said.
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Australia must join US COVID call to arms
End COVID for All said that Australia should get behind US President Joe Biden's efforts to end the pandemic by committing more towards global vaccination. President Biden announced his administration will send 20 million COVID vaccines abroad by the end of next month, in addition to its previous commitment to give 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to other countries. This means 80 million US doses will be shared with the world over the coming weeks. However, the President has admitted it is not enough to vaccinate the global population and will coordinate with US allies to develop a global strategy to end the pandemic.
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QLD: Designated Covid-19 hospital network direction
The Department of Health said that the purpose of this Direction is to protect the health of the community and health workers, and safeguard the delivery of non-COVID-19 hospital care, by mitigating the risk of the spread of COVID-19 through a consistent and best practice approach to the management of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in Queensland. This Direction establishes designated COVID-19 hospitals. These hospitals have inpatient capacity, infrastructure, workforce and services that support a high degree of clinical capability to manage the spectrum of acuity of COVID-19 positive patients.
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ACT: ACT Public Health Emergency extended
Australian Capital Territory Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith has announced a further extension of the ACT Public Health Emergency for 90 days, effective until 16 August 2021. The decision to extend the Public Health Emergency has been made based on advice provided by the ACT Health Chief Health Officer and recognises that COVID-19 poses an ongoing risk to the ACT community. The extension of the emergency declaration enables the Chief Health Officer to continue to take appropriate action, or give any direction, necessary to protect the health and safety of Canberrans.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19. Three new cases were acquired overseas in the same period, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 5,374. There were 8,901 tests reported, compared with the previous day's total of 10,790. NSW Health has administered its highest number of COVID-19 vaccines in one day, with a record 11,415 vaccines administered.
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WA: COVID-19 update 18 May 2021
The Department of Health has reported no new cases of COVID-19. The State's total stands at 1015. WA Health is monitoring six active cases of COVID-19 - 1000 people have recovered from the virus in WA. To date, the WA Department of Health has administered 133,424 COVID-19 vaccinations, including 30,503 people who have received both doses. The Commonwealth Government vaccination national roll-out figures can be found on the Australian Department of Health website (external site).
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17 May

Vaccine Operations Centre
The Department of Health said that: 'A total of 3,100,137 vaccinations have been completed as increasing supplies of vaccine are delivered to more than 5,280 sites across the country. As of today, 5,541,184 doses of vaccine have been delivered to those sites by the Australian Government, with 4,622,610 doses available for use. The Vaccine Operations Centre (VOC) continues to play a lead role in the vaccination rollout. It is working in close partnership with the States, Territories and the primary care sector to safely, securely and efficiently store, transport, deliver and administer COVID-19 vaccines across Australia.'
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NT: Positive COVID-19 Case Update
The NT Department of Health said that one new COVID-19 case has been recorded in the Northern Territory in the past 24 hours. A 41-year-old male, who arrived on the repatriation flight from New Delhi on 15 May 2021 has tested positive for COVID-19. He is asymptomatic and is under the care of the NT Health at the NT Centre for National Resilience. Since repatriation flights to the Northern Territory began on 23 October 2020:
- 6950 international arrivals have undertaken quarantine at the Howard Springs Centre for National Resilience.
- A total of 123 positive COVID-19 cases have been reported from international repatriation.
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SA: COVID-19 Update 17 May 2021
The SA Department of Health said that there are no new cases of COVID-19. There have been a total of 742 cases notified in South Australia. A man and woman in their 30s both remain in the Royal Adelaide Hospital in stable conditions.
- 0 new cases
- 2 people currently in hospital
- 14 active COVID-19 cases, all overseas acquired
- 742 confirmed cases in total
- 724 people have recovered from COVID-19
- 4 COVID-19 related deaths
- 2,403 tests
- 1,320,384 tests in total
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TAS: Vaccine rollout hits 100,000 doses
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said that Tasmania has reached another important marker in the ongoing fight against COVID-19, with over 100,000 doses of the vaccine now administered to Tasmanians. This is one of the largest health logistical exercises in the State's history and the progress so far is a credit to all involved, and to all those Tasmanians who have rolled up their sleeve to be vaccinated. Tasmanians are leading the way in Australia's vaccination effort - with 19 per cent of the State's population having received their first vaccination, compared to the current national total of 13 per cent.
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Aged Care

20 May

Improving aged care to support Narrabeen's seniors and veterans
Seniors and veterans in Narrabeen, their families, loved ones and carers are benefiting from the largest investment in aged care in Australian history, announced as part of this month's Federal Budget. 'In response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the Government has committed an unprecedented $17.7 billion to improve quality care, increase viability in the sector, and provide services with respect, care and dignity at their heart,' said Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck and Member for Mackellar Jason Falinksi.
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VIC: Keeping people connected and included
Not only does the Victorian Budget 2021/22 deliver on this additional investment, it will also create new jobs and new opportunities for Victorians to care for their communities. That's in addition to $436.9 million delivered in last year's Budget, which invested in better support services for Victorians in need, including the delivery of a 500-strong Recovery Workforce. The Budget invests $65 million to redevelop the Glenview nursing home in Rutherglen in Victoria's northeast, and complete detailed design and planning for redevelopments of public residential aged care facilities in Camperdown and Cohun, said Victorian Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan.
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18 May

Nod to volunteers as meal providers receive a funding boost
The Government will increase the minimum meals unit price to $7.50 to help aged care providers deliver meals to older Australians receiving aged care at home. Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck said it was a significant step forward to reinforce the tremendous efforts of food providers which help meet the nutritional needs of an increasing number of older Australians. 'This vital measure puts the health and wellbeing of older Australians first, while strengthening the viability of meal providers across the country,' Minister Colbeck said.
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Aged care reforms to benefit senior Tasmanians
Senior Tasmanians, their families and carers are set to benefit from the Australian Government's once-in-a-generation reform of aged care said Minister Colbeck. Minister Colbeck said older Tasmanians are at the heart of the $17.7 billion package. 'We are committed to ensuring that those who have contributed so much - our nation builders, our parents and grandparents, our founders and protectors- get the respect, care and dignity they rightly deserve,' Minister Colbeck said. The funding will include $630.2 million to make the aged care system more accessible for seniors with special needs, including people in regional and rural areas in Tasmania.
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17 May

Transforming aged care must start with improving wages and conditions for professionals working in the sector, new HESTA research reveals
New HESTA aged care workforce research reveals Australia risks missing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build the skilled workforce needed to meet future demand if there is not an adequate national effort to improve wages and conditions in the sector. The State of the Sector Aged Care Workforce Insights: COVID and Beyond report found poor pay and a lack of career opportunities were causing people to want to leave the industry.
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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

20 May

VIC: Improving children's health with ground-breaking research
Victorian Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford said that an entire generation of young Victorians will be invited to join the GenV health study, which will provide answers to complex medical issues and drive better health outcomes for Victorian families. GenV will track the wellbeing of more than 100,000 Victorians throughout their lives, with support from the Victorian Government's $14 million investment in the Victorian Budget 2021/22. The investment will support the next phase of the project, which will invite every baby born in Victoria over the two years from 1 July to join the study. In addition to providing invaluable data for researchers, the study will make it easier to detect avoidable health issues in children by catching early warning signs of health issues.
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19 May

$26.8 million investment to support young Australians
Minister for Health Greg Hunt said that the Australian Government is continuing support for the mental health and wellbeing of children and young Australians with a $26.8 million investment in Yourtown's Kids Helpline. Caring for the mental health and wellbeing of Australians, particularly children and young people, remains one of the Australian Government's highest priorities. It is estimated that more than three quarters of mental health conditions begin before the age of 25, and there are approximately 630,000 young people with mild to moderate mental illness nationally.
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Additional support for sick kids and their families in Queensland
Minister Hunt said that families of sick children across Queensland will have better access to much-needed accommodation and support through the newly refurbished Ronald McDonald House in South Brisbane. The Australian Government invested $2.57 million to renovate and modify areas of Ronald McDonald House, which will be a life saver for regional and Far North Queensland families of very sick children being treated at Queensland Children's and Mater Misericordae hospitals. The newly refurbished home can now cater for large family groups, families who need longer stays and immunosuppressed patients who have been discharged from hospital but must remain in Brisbane for ongoing care.
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VIC: Backing every Maryborough child to have a chance
Victorian Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas opened the Go Goldfields' new headquarters at Maryborough and announced a $1 million investment in the Victorian Budget 2021/22 to support the program's Every Child, Every Chance initiative. Maryborough in the Central Goldfields is the fourth most disadvantaged area in Victoria, with the region facing challenges that inhibit the growth and development of children. This new funding will work to support positive, long-term outcomes for local children and their families. Go Goldfields will bring together community, business, government and non-for-profit partners to focus on five key priorities. This includes supporting mothers through pregnancy with access to pre-birth seminars and promotion to first trimester antenatal visits.
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18 May

Rate of children in out-of-home care remains stable
The rate of children living in out-of-home care has remained relatively steady for the past four years, according to a new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The report, Child protection Australia 2019-20, shows as at 30 June 2020, there were around 46,000 children in out-of-home care across Australia. The report presents information on the provision of state and territory child protection services- such as referral to family support services, investigations of notified child abuse/neglect, care and protection orders, or out-of-home care placements-and the characteristics of children who received these services.
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Clinical Governance

18 May

National Action Plan to ease chronic pain for Australians
The Government has launched its National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management, providing Australians living with chronic pain access to the care and support they need. Providing a whole-of-care approach, the Plan recommends eight goals and will focus on reducing the burden of disease and improving the quality of life and care for patients. It will also outline the importance of educating Australians on understanding and managing pain, as well as providing a framework for health practitioners on how to deliver the best treatment and care to patients, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt and Senator for Tasmanian Wendy Askew.
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Construction and Health Infrastructure

20 May

NSW: New ambulance station for Fairy Meadow
The Fairy Meadow community will soon receive its own ambulance station under the NSW Government's $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program. NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said Fairy Meadow was identified as the ideal location to base a new station to provide the best ambulance coverage across the Illawarra region, now and in the future. The RAIR program is the single largest investment in regional NSW Ambulance's 126-year history, with 24 new or upgraded ambulance stations already delivered or under construction as part of the $132 million Stage 1 program, said the NSW Department of Health.
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NSW: Site announced for new Shellharbour Hospital
The Illawarra is set to receive a huge boost to health services across the region, with a site now chosen for the new Shellharbour Hospital, and plans to expand bed capacity and services at Bulli and Wollongong and build a new community health facility at Warrawong. The changes will lead to the staged closure of Port Kembla Hospital and a greatly expanded new hospital at Shellharbour as part of a $700 million-plus redevelopment project. NSW Minister Hazzard announced the new state-of-the-art Shellharbour Hospital will be built on a greenfield site on Dunmore Road, Dunmore.
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VIC: Building world-class hospitals Victorians can rely on
The Victorian Budget 2021/22 will deliver more than $1.2 billion to upgrade and build more hospitals so that health services can deliver the highest quality of care for more Victorians. The Budget delivers on the Government's election commitment, with more than $556 million to build and expand 10 community hospitals in Craigieburn, Cranbourne, Pakenham, Phillip Island, Sunbury, Torquay, Mernda, Eltham, Point Cook and the inner south of Melbourne. This investment will ease strain on existing services, by delivering care at a local level, said Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley.
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VIC: Helping the health system recover from coronavirus
The Victorian Budget 2021/22 will deliver more than $7.1 billion to upgrade and build more hospitals, improve local health services, and deliver the highest quality of care for more Victorians. This includes more than $759 million in funding for more paramedics, more triage care and support staff for Ambulance Victoria, as well as targeted funding to improve flow in busy emergency departments. The investment will also support the opening of new beds in health services across the state, supported by Victoria's hardworking healthcare workforce, said Victorian Minister Foley.
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Dental

None this edition.

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Disabilities

20 May

VIC: Keeping people connected and included
Not only does the Victorian Budget 2021/22 deliver on this additional investment, it will also create new jobs and new opportunities for Victorians to care for their communities. That's in addition to $436.9 million delivered in last year's Budget, which invested in better support services for Victorians in need, including the delivery of a 500-strong Recovery Workforce. The Budget invests $65 million to redevelop the Glenview nursing home in Rutherglen in Victoria's northeast, and complete detailed design and planning for redevelopments of public residential aged care facilities in Camperdown and Cohun, said Victorian Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan.
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19 May

People with Disability Struggle to Access COVID vaccine
Disability representative organisation People with Disability Australia has found people with disability are struggling to work out if they are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines and are getting extremely inconsistent access to vaccination appointments. The national disabled people's organisation has surveyed its members this month, finding a widespread lack of clarity around eligibility and patchy access to vaccination appointments. Only 999 people with disability in Australia have been vaccinated against COVID-19, with only 127 disabled people being fully vaccinated.
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18 May

National Action Plan to ease chronic pain for Australians
The Government has launched its National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management, providing Australians living with chronic pain access to the care and support they need. Providing a whole-of-care approach, the Plan recommends eight goals and will focus on reducing the burden of disease and improving the quality of life and care for patients. It will also outline the importance of educating Australians on understanding and managing pain, as well as providing a framework for health practitioners on how to deliver the best treatment and care to patients, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt and Senator for Tasmanian Wendy Askew.
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Public hearing 7, Commonwealth of Australia responding to Counsel Assisting's written submissions
Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation of People with Disability
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Public hearing 7, State of New South Wales - Submissions in reply to Counsel Assisting's written submissions
Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation of People with Disability
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Public hearing 7, State of Queensland - Submissions in reply to Counsel Assisting's written submissions
Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation of People with Disability
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Public hearing 7, State of Victoria responding to Counsel Assisting's written submissions
Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation of People with Disability
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Public hearing 7, Written submissions of Counsel Assisting
Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation of People with Disability
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15 May

New initiatives to support Australians with disability
The Government is guaranteeing the essential services Australians rely on in Budget 2021- 22. As part of the Budget, it is delivering two tailored programs designed and delivered by people with disability. These programs will promote accessible and inclusive healthcare practises, and boost community participation in sport for Australians with disability. A new pilot program for health professionals will be rolled out across five hospitals to develop the most effective way to increase disability inclusion across the hospital sector. The program will provide a range of online resources, face-to-face seminars and training programs that will be designed and delivered by people with disability, said Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston.
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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

None this edition.

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Funding

20 May

500,000 ways to improve the health of Australian men
The Australian Government is continuing to support the health of men and boys by providing half a million dollars in the latest round of grant funding to 180 Men's Sheds around Australia. The Australian Government is continuing to support the health of men and boys by providing half a million dollars in the latest round of grant funding to 180 Men's Sheds around Australia. Many of the grants, of up to $10,000, will be used to buy IT equipment and provide training to Men's Shed members, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt and Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton.
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PHI 28/21 Notification of Stakeholder Briefing Webinar - Tuesday, 25 May 2021
Through the 2021-22 Federal Budget, the Australian Government announced an investment of $22 million over four years to improve the Prostheses List and its arrangements. These reforms build on the reform activities which many people have contributed to over the past three years. The Department of Health is hosting a webinar to provide all interested people and organisations with an overview of these reforms. The webinar is scheduled from 3pm AEST on Tuesday, 25 May 2021.
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WA: Global collagen exporter to produce medical grade product in Collie
A biotech company in Western Australia's South-West will expand to produce high purity collagen products to penetrate the lucrative medical collagen market, putting WA at the forefront of the industry. The WA Government is supporting Holista Colltech's expansion through a $501,250 grant from the Collie Futures Industry Development Fund. Holista Colltech is a research-driven biotech company that has developed and patented a unique technique to produce high quality collagen from sheep skins, which it currently exports for use in cosmetics manufacturing in Asia and the European Union, said Minister for Regional Development Alannah MacTiernan.
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Health Professionals

20 May

VIC: Supporting 3,000 jobs: Building the mental health workforce
Victorian Minister for Mental Health James Merlino said that not only is the mental health system completely overburdened - it's chronically understaffed. It's why this once-in-a-generation reform demands a massive boost to the dedicated mental health workforce. As part of the Victorian Government's $3.8 billion mental health package, the Budget invests $206 million to build the mental health workforce - investing in more mental health nurses, doctors, allied health professionals and support staff. Together, these investments will support around 3,000 jobs, ensuring more Victorians are getting the care they need and thousands more have the security of a job. Helping to build and train the mental health workforce, the Victorian Budget 2021/22 delivers $120.4 million in new training and study support.
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VIC: Creating jobs and caring for Victorians
Victorian Minister Merlino and Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas said that: ' We need a long-term plan that ensures every dollar of investment is delivering a 'double benefit' - investing in the support people need, and the people we need to deliver it. It's two sides of the same coin and it's this simple idea that's at the heart of the Victorian Budget 2021/22. In total, this year's Budget will support around 38,000 jobs each and every year over the next four years - helping ensure the state recovers, in every sense of the word. That includes the Andrews Labor Government's once-in-a-generation reform to build a new mental health system from the ground up.'
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19 May

Hospital crisis sidelining ambulance, impacts police
United Workers Union National Ambulance Coordinator Fiona Scanlon said: 'Our ambulance members see themselves as the ambulance service and therefore today's criticism of the Queensland Ambulance Service as undermining the hard work of them and their colleagues. Every day they continue to do the best job they can whilst working within the constraints of a strained health system. The impact the police force is experiencing is just another symptom of the crisis in the hospital system. Extreme hospital flow issues are seeing ambulance crews stuck on ramps unable to get back out into the community.'
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17 May

NT: Nurses and midwives acknowledged for excellence
The NT Department of Health said that Northern Territory nurses and midwives have been recognised in Darwin at the 2021 Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards in a year of record nominations. More than 140 nominations were received across nine categories recognising the outstanding efforts of nurses and midwives from all over the Territory over the past 12 months. The 2021 gala event recognised both finalists and overall winners for 2020 and 2021, after the 2020 awards were postponed due to COVID-19.
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Hospitals

18 May

NSW: Green light for new Gosford Private Hospital
A new, 238-bed private hospital has been given the planning tick of approval to meet the growing need for better healthcare facilities on the Central Coast. New South Wales Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the $172 million Northside Private Hospital would provide new jobs, a multi-million boost for the local economy and improved healthcare access for the fast-growing Central Coast community. 'The new 11-storey facility, which is expected to open in 2025, will offer state-of-the-art facilities for patients and staff, including radiology, pathology, intensive care and operating theatres,' Mr Stokes said.
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17 May

QLD: Queensland challenges Prime Minister to free up 600 public hospital beds
The Queensland Government is calling on the Prime Minister to fund almost 600 aged and disability care packages to free up much-needed Queensland hospital beds. Queensland Minister for Health Yvette D'Ath said the Federal Government's chronic under investment in aged and disability care was keeping 575 Queenslanders in public hospital beds when they're better placed in more appropriate care settings. 'The Federal Government's latest budget has short-changed Queensland yet again, and it's public hospital patients who are paying the price,' Ms D'Ath said.
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Insurance

18 May

APRA releases quarterly private health insurance statistics for March 2021
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released its quarterly private health insurance (PHI) publications for the March 2021 quarter. The publications provide industry aggregate summaries of key financial and membership statistics for the private health insurance industry. The PHI industry reported a small decline in net profits after tax in the year ending March 2021. Net margins fell 1.6 percentage points during the year, mainly due to the deferral of the April 2020 premium increases and other concessions provided to policyholders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Medicare

None this edition.

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Men's Health

None this edition.

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Mental Health

20 May

Ai Group Supports Victorian Budget Focus on Mental Health, Skills and Education
The Victorian Head of the national employer association Ai Group, Tim Piper, welcomed the Victorian Budget's focus on mental health, skills and education. Mr Piper said, 'The leading place given to mental health in today's Budget is commendable. Improving our approach to mental health can have both social and economic benefits for Victorians. Businesses are increasingly dealing with mental health issues in workplaces and the greater focus on mental health in this Budget should include measures to improve the ability of employers and managers to play a constructive role in this area.'
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VIC: Emergency mental health care - for when it's needed most
As part of a $3.8 billion package in the Victorian Budget 2021/22, the Government is investing $1.96 billion in mental health acute and emergency care, making sure Victorians are getting the support they desperately deserve. With this investment, 104 new acute mental health beds will be available for patients across Victoria - including 35 acute mental health beds specifically for Victorian women in need. A further $10.9 million will deliver five additional acute mental health beds at South West Healthcare in Warrnambool, said Victorian Minister for Mental Health James Merlino and Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley.
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VIC: Rebuilding mental health support for young Victorians
The Victorian Budget 21/22 invests $3.8 billion towards decade-long mental health reform, delivering more community based services, more help for those with acute needs, more early intervention and a new dedicated system to support kids. An estimated $700 million of this landmark package will flow to the regions. The Budget includes $842 million in mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people - including $141 million to deliver five new, and upgrade three existing, Youth Prevention and Recovery Care units (Y-PARCs), said Victorian Minister Merlino, Victorian Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan and Victorian Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards.
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VIC: Better mental health care for regional Victoria
The Government is investing an estimated $700 million in new and expanded regional mental health support services to make sure help is available in every corner of the state. The total package will deliver the first 20 of up to 60 new local services across both metropolitan and regional Victoria, providing a 'front door' for care that's embedded in local communities. This includes the first six fast-tracked sites, with locations in Benalla, Greater Geelong and the Latrobe Valley, set to open by the end of 2022, said Victorian Minister Merlino and Victorian Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas.
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VIC: Supporting 3,000 jobs: Building the mental health workforce
Victorian Minister Merlino said that not only is the mental health system completely overburdened - it's chronically understaffed. It's why this once-in-a-generation reform demands a massive boost to the dedicated mental health workforce. As part of the Victorian Government's $3.8 billion mental health package, the Budget invests $206 million to build the mental health workforce - investing in more mental health nurses, doctors, allied health professionals and support staff. Together, these investments will support around 3,000 jobs, ensuring more Victorians are getting the care they need and thousands more have the security of a job. Helping to build and train the mental health workforce, the Victorian Budget 2021/22 delivers $120.4 million in new training and study support.
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VIC: More mental health support for children and young people
The Government is investing $842 million in mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people. This investment will see two separate streams of care established. Support will be delivered through 13 reformed Infant, Child and Family Mental Health and Wellbeing Services, providing care specially designed around the needs of children and their families. At the same time, this investment will also support 13 dedicated Youth Area Mental Health and Wellbeing Services across the state, said Minister Merlino and Minister for Youth Ros Spence.
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VIC: Creating jobs and caring for Victorians
Victorian Minister Merlino and Victorian Treasurer Pallas said that: ' We need a long-term plan that ensures every dollar of investment is delivering a 'double benefit' - investing in the support people need, and the people we need to deliver it. It's two sides of the same coin and it's this simple idea that's at the heart of the Victorian Budget 2021/22. In total, this year's Budget will support around 38,000 jobs each and every year over the next four years - helping ensure our state recovers, in every sense of the word. That includes the Andrews Labor Government's once-in-a-generation reform to build a new mental health system from the ground up.'
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VIC: Lived experience at the Heart of the Mental Health System
The Victorian Budget 2021/22 also delivers $18 million towards a new entity, the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing. The Centre will bring together people with lived experience, researchers and clinicians to establish best practice in adult mental health services, including conducting research, sharing knowledge and ensuring the real, lived experience of Victorians is heard. A new independent statutory Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission will also be established, with dedicated positions for Commissioners with lived experience, said Victorian Minister Merlino.
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VIC: Building the mental health system from the ground up
This Budget invests $3.8 billion towards this decade-long reform. All of this will be underpinned by a massive boost to the mental health workforce, supporting around 3,000 jobs - ensuring Victorians can get the care they need, while also giving thousands more Victorians the security of a job. A $349.6 million investment will build 82 forensic mental health beds at Thomas Embling Hospital, including a dedicated 34-bed women's precinct, and $10.9 million will deliver five additional acute mental health beds at South West Healthcare in Warrnambool, said Victorian Minister Merlino.
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VIC: Significant mental health investment key in 'a budget for the times'
In the first budget since the Mental Health Royal Commission recommended a system overhaul, Victoria will invest $3.8 billion to rebuild the system 'from the ground up'. 'The Victorian Government promised to fix a broken system. It's now putting its money where its mouth is,' VCOSS CEO Emma King said. 'The government is now starting to fund the recommendations of the Mental Health Royal Commission, and shift the system's focus to prevention and early intervention.'
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VIC: Once-in-a-generation reform to mental health will benefit Victoria's most vulnerable children and young people
Berry Street says the Victorian Government's $3.8 billion investment in mental health will significantly improve outcomes for children and young people in care. 'There are almost 12,000 children in Victoria currently living in out-of-home care - including around 450 in residential care on any given day,' Berry Street CEO, Michael Perusco, said. 'Many of these children and young people have experienced trauma, abuse, and neglect, and face significant mental health challenges. They have been crying out for better access to support services - this Budget delivers for them.'
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18 May

Veteran suicide: Call for veterans and grieving families to be heard
The Terms of Reference Advisory Group (ToRAG) focuses largely on the institutional impacts and systemic issues contributing to veteran suicide and suicide behaviour. This includes unaddressed Defence Force and Department of Veterans Affairs issues of abuse, alleged criminality and corruptive behaviours, maladministration, and poor management practices which arguably lies at the heart of veteran suicide. ToRAG believes the Terms of Reference must be directed to investigate those functions within both the Defence Force and the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as other organisations.
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17 May

Veterans' vigil to remember those lost
Member for Adelaide Steve Georganas will be joined by Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs Shayne Neumann, Dave's Mum, Julie-Ann Finney, and other survivors for a solemn vigil at the State War Memorial on North Terrace in Adelaide. The purpose of the vigil is to come together to hear the voices of those who have passed and listen to the voices of those who are suffering. On average in Australia, one veteran dies by suicide every two weeks. In fact, more Australian veterans have lost their lives by suicide than have been killed on active duty since troops were first deployed to Afghanistan in 2001.
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VIC: Rebuilding Victoria's forensic mental health system
The Victorian Government is investing in forensic mental health services with a major upgrade of Thomas Embling Hospital. The Victorian Budget 2021/22 will invest $349.6 million to deliver an additional 82 secure mental health beds and supporting infrastructure, while also supporting new jobs. These major works at Thomas Embling Hospital include a new dedicated 34-bed women's precinct, a 48-bed medium security men's facility, as well as clinical administration facilities. This upgrade delivers on a critical recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System, said Victorian Minister Foley.
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VIC: Keeping workers safe from psychological harm
The Victorian Government is continuing to strengthen workers' right to a safe place of employment through new regulations to better prevent workplace psychological hazards and injuries. Victorian Minister for Workplace Safety Ingrid Stitt announced the priority reforms ahead of her meeting with state, territory and federal counterparts at the Work Health and Safety Ministers' meeting. The regulations will strengthen the occupational health and safety framework by providing clearer guidance to employers on their obligations to better protect workers from mental injury.
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System

None this edition.

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Pharmaceuticals and Regulation

20 May

National Flu Vaccination Program officially launches
Seasonal influenza vaccines are now available through community pharmacy and GPs around the country, with a record supply to ensure everyone has access to the vaccine. Approximately 5 million Australians have already had their 2021 flu vaccine, with over 20 million vaccines being made available through community pharmacy, GP's and dedicated flu clinics this year. Both flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines protect against different viruses, both of which are potentially serious. Everyone aged over six months should receive a flu jab, and all adults should also receive their COVID-19 vaccine when it is scheduled, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt.
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