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Friday 15 January 2021

 

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)

13 January

Science or bust
Senator for Tasmania Helen Polley
said, 'As we emerge from the economic crisis imposed by COVID-19, it is imperative that we invest in research and development (R&D) and embrace high-tech solutions. R&D improves the scientific, technological and research capabilities of a country. It leads to an improvement in productivity and results in higher economic growth and job creation. Whether it be the much-awaited vaccine, or the longer-term solution to viable renewable energy supply, investment in R&D is at the heart of it. By building on our world-class scientific expertise, high-value workforce and national advantages we can build on promoting emerging new Australian industries if we make the right investments now.'
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ACT: Canberrans urged not to be complacent with travel to NSW
There have been no new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the ACT, leaving the ACT's total at 118. There are no active cases in the ACT. A total of 115 cases have recovered from COVID-19 in the ACT. There are no COVID-19 patients in Canberra hospitals. The ACT has recorded three (3) deaths. The number of negative tests recorded in the ACT is now 149,387. 'The updated Public Health Direction has brought down the numbers of those in quarantine in the ACT to around 700,' ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said.
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NSW: Public health alert - Hotel Grand Chancellor Brisbane
NSW Health is calling on anyone who has been at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Brisbane since 30 December, either as a returned traveller or as a staff member, to immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days after they were last at the hotel regardless of their test result. NSW Health also requests these people to telephone 1300 066 055 for further advice. Six cases of the COVID-19 variant of concern have now been linked to the hotel. This variant is known to spread more easily from person to person than other strains of the COVID-19 virus.
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QLD: New 'big cat' of pathology arrives at Mackay Base Hospital
Mackay Base Hospital's new rapid testing pathology instrument dubbed the 'Panther' is set to boost local COVID-19 and other respiratory condition testing capacity. Queensland Assistant Minister for Health and Regional Health Infrastructure Julieanne Gilbert said that the addition of the Panther to the Mackay Base Hospital would be a welcome addition to provide locals with world-class healthcare. 'The new Hologic Panther Fusion can diagnose COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory conditions in approximately three hours,' said Minister Gilbert.
Download

SA: COVID-19 Update 12 January
SA Department of Health
said that weekly wastewater testing results will be made available on the SA Health website. Testing wastewater can help provide an early warning signal of COVID-19 infections in people living in a particular wastewater catchment area. However, it can also be due to people who have recently recovered from COVID-19 who can sometimes continue to shed virus fragments into the sewerage system for several weeks even after they are no longer infectious. Positive results do not necessarily mean there is a risk to the community. SA Health will inform the community when a positive result requires action from the community.
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WA: COVID-19 update
The WA Department of Health has reported one new case of COVID-19 in Western Australia, bringing the State's total to 879. The case is a female who has returned from overseas and is in hotel quarantine. WA Health is monitoring 15 active cases and 855 people have recovered from the virus in WA. There have been 672,939 COVID-19 tests performed in WA. Of those tested, 105,895 were from regional WA. 2,074 people presented to WA Health-managed COVID clinics - 2,061 were assessed and 2,059 were swabbed.
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12 January

RACGP backs GP-led role in COVID-19 vaccine rollout
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) welcomed Government confirmation that GPs will be at the forefront of Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout. At a press conference with Minister for Health Greg Hunt, RACGP President Dr Karen Price said GPs will play an important role in the vaccine rollout. 'This is a massive undertaking for our country and GPs will be essential. The majority of Australians go to their GP for their vaccinations and for many Australians they will do the same for their COVID- 19 vaccine. Vaccinations are one of the greatest success stories of modern medicine and GP-led vaccination programs have been at the forefront all along.'
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW Health
recorded five new locally acquired cases of COVID-19. Eleven cases were also recorded in returned travellers, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 4,845. There were 14,738 tests reported, compared with the previous day's total of 18,570. NSW Health is concerned with the falling test numbers in recent days and urges anyone with mild flu-like symptoms to get tested and then remain at home until a negative result is received.
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NSW: Public health alert - New venues
NSW Health
has been advised of a new venue in the Northern Beaches visited by a confirmed case of COVID-19. Anyone who attended the following venue at the time listed below is a casual contact who must get tested immediately and self-isolate until a negative result is received. If symptoms appear, please isolate and get tested again.
- The Groomsmen Barber Shop, Warriewood Square, 12 Jacksons Rd, Warriewood, on Wednesday, 6 January, between 11.30am and 12pm
Download

11 January

Delay travel to rural Queensland, doctors urge those in Greater Brisbane
The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) and Rural Doctors Association of Queensland (RDAQ) urged those in Greater Brisbane to avoid travelling to rural Queensland following the lifting of the three day COVID-19 lockdown in Greater Brisbane . The Associations have commended the Queensland Government on its response to control the spread of the more virulent UK strain of coronavirus by rapidly introducing the lockdown last week. They have also commended the Government on its decision to require those in Greater Brisbane to continue to wear masks until 22 January in locations like supermarkets, on public transport and in other crowded settings where social distancing is difficult to achieve.
Download

NSW: Public health alert - New venues and train routes
NSW Health
was advised of new venues in Sydney's south west and an inner-west supermarket visited by confirmed cases of COVID-19, as well as a train route. Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed below is a casual contact who must get tested immediately and self-isolate until a negative result is received. If any symptoms appear, get tested again. NSW Health urges anyone in NSW with even the mildest symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat or runny nose, to come forward immediately for testing, then isolate until they receive a negative result.
Download

NSW: Public health alert - New venues
NSW Health has been advised of new venues in Sydney's west, inner west and Northern Beaches visited by confirmed cases of COVID-19. Anyone who attended the following venue for more than an hour during the following time period is considered a close contact, and must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of whether a negative result is received. NSW Health urges anyone in NSW with even the mildest symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat or runny nose, to come forward immediately for testing, then isolate until they receive a negative result.
Download

NT: Greater Metropolitan Sydney hotspot update
The NT Chief Health Officer has revoked Greater Metropolitan Sydney as a hotspot and has declared a number of Local Government Areas across Sydney's Western Suburbs as hotspots from 11am on 12 January 2021. People arriving in the Northern Territory from Greater Metropolitan Sydney except the Local Government Areas that remain as hotspots, will no longer have to undertake mandatory supervised quarantine. Anyone currently in mandatory quarantine from the areas in Greater Metropolitan Sydney that have been revoked as hotspots will be able to exit. The active and positive COVID-19 cases in New South Wales are confined to Sydney's Western Suburbs. The New South Wales public health response to contact trace and contain this outbreak has been extensive.
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QLD: Contact tracing locations: Brisbane, Confirmed case linked to hotel cleaner
Queensland Health released contact tracing details of a new case of COVID-19. The individual is the partner of the quarantine hotel cleaner who tested positive to the UK variant of COVID-19 on 7 January 2021. Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the partner has been in quarantine since 7 January, however additional contact tracing is ongoing. Work so far has identified the below locations. We are asking individuals who have been to these locations during these periods to get tested, regardless of symptoms, and quarantine for 14 days since attending those venues.
Download

TAS: Update for travellers from Greater Brisbane
'The health, safety and wellbeing of Tasmanians is the Tasmanian Government's number one priority and I want to recognise the efforts people have gone to, both here in Tasmania and in Queensland to swiftly isolate following developments in Greater Brisbane,' said Tasmanian Minister for Health Sarah Courtney. 'Queensland has had no locally acquired positive cases for the third day in a row, with high testing levels sustained and, as a consequence, we have moved to modify our advice for some travellers from Greater Brisbane.'
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VIC: Permit system to keep Victoria COVIDSafe
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley said that Victoria will establish a new permit system for all domestic travel into the state, helping to support Victoria's rapid contact tracing efforts and giving Victorians greater certainty when they travel. It will be based on a traffic light system that allows Victoria to designate regions in other parts of Australia as green, orange or red, depending on the coronavirus risk in a particular area. Zones will be declared by the Chief Health Officer, based on the public health risk for coronavirus transmission and mean that certain restrictions will apply for travellers from that area.
Download

8 January

National Cabinet
The National Cabinet met to discuss Australia's COVID-19 response, the Australian COVID-19 Vaccination Policy and management of Australia's borders in the context of the emergence of new variants, said Prime Minister Scott Morrison. National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues and find solutions to the health and economic consequences of COVID-19. The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, provided an update on the latest epidemiological data and medical advice in relation to COVID-19. There have been 28,571 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 909 people have died. There are now 41 people in hospital.
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Mandatory facemasks a common sense decision
The decision by National Cabinet to make facemasks compulsory across all parts of the aviation sector is a sensible and common sense approach, said the Australian Airports Association (AAA). AAA Chief Executive James Goodwin said any protocol which improves safety and increases public confidence is a good thing. 'All travellers should arrive at the airport prepared with their own mask,' Mr Goodwin said. 'It is important the government works cooperatively with the aviation sector to develop these new regulations and assist with the implementation.'
Download

AMA backs early vaccine and bolstered international arrivals testing and screening
The National Cabinet decisions, including the accelerated rollout of the initial Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, will help protect those most at risk of infection until a population-wide vaccine is available, Australian Medical Association (AMA) President, Dr Omar Khorshid, said. 'The appearance of the new UK strain of COVID-19 in Queensland shows the need to act quickly to head off any further outbreaks,' Dr Khorshid said. 'This UK strain appears to be a greater risk of breaking out of hotel quarantine, and then spreading quickly to outrun and overwhelm our last lines of defence - physical distancing and testing and tracing.'
Download

NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW recorded four new locally acquired cases of COVID-19. Seven cases were also recorded in returned travellers, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 4,806. There were 26,112 tests reported, compared with the previous day's total of 27,879. NSW Health continues to urge everyone throughout the state to continue to come forward with even the mildest of symptoms.
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Aged Care

14 January

Extension to dementia program delivery welcomed
Dementia Australia has welcomed the announcement by the Government of a commitment to extend essential funding for national dementia program delivery until the end of June 2022. Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said the additional funding of $44 million is important to provide stability of service delivery for people living with dementia, families and carers, as well as staff in the sector, particularly during these challenging times. 'The programs help deliver quality dementia care by providing ongoing support and advice to family and informal carers, primary and acute care staff and aged care service providers,' Ms McCabe said.
Download

13 January

VIC: Operational update - Victorian Aged Care Response Centre
The Victorian Aged Care Response Centre (VACRC) is coordinating testing of asymptomatic staff in Victorian aged care facilities.
- Since late October, the cumulative total of tests recorded in 729 individual aged care facilities is 64,477 staff.
- This is week 12 of asymptomatic testing. Over a 4 week period it is expected that all aged care facilities will have taken part in asymptomatic testing to staff.
- Since December 30, VACRC has contacted 257 aged care facilities across Victoria that are in, or adjacent to, nominated COVID-19 exposure sites. VACRC has confirmed the facilities outbreak preparedness plans and expedited the routine asymptomatic testing.
Download

12 January

Statement attributable to Ms Janet Anderson PSM, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner
The Federal Government has announced its intention to establish a Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) in the aged care sector in early 2021 to help reduce incidents of abuse and neglect in Australian Government-subsidised residential aged care services. Subject to parliamentary processes, from 1 April 2021, the current compulsory reporting requirements in residential aged care will be replaced by SIRS. The legislation to support SIRS was introduced in parliament in late 2020. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will be responsible for administering the new scheme, and is being given additional resources for this purpose.
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Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

14 January

Update from Aged Care Royal Commission on cyber security incident
An investigation into the November 2020 cyber-security incident at the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety's document management service provider, Law In Order, has concluded that 59 Royal Commission documents were impacted. However, there is no evidence that any sensitive personal information was accessed, published or misused in any way. The Royal Commission has notified all parties affected by this data breach. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner has also been advised. Law In Order has assured the Royal Commission that remedial action has been taken to both protect the security of the affected information and mitigate any further risk.
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Allied Health

None this edition.

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Children's Health

9 January

VIC: Preparing for summer and keeping kids safe
Victorians are being urged to never leave kids in hot cars and to prepare for heatwaves this summer as new data reveals there have already been more than 380 callouts to people locked in cars since the end of September - almost all of them children and toddlers. Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley joined paramedics to launch the Never Leave Kids in Cars and Survive the Heat campaigns, which warn parents about the dangers of leaving their children in the car, even for an instant, and encourage them to develop routines so that they automatically check the back seat before they lock up.
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Clinical Governance

None this edition.

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Construction and Health Infrastructure

12 January

WA: New $3 million facility for Albany's State Emergency Service
WA Minister for Health Roger Cook
said that Albany's State Emergency Service will receive a new facility by the middle of next year that can also be used as a Level 3 Incident Control Centre to help with large-scale emergencies such as bushfires. The new build, estimated to cost up to $3 million, is part of the Government's $5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan, which includes a $13 million support package for urgent minor works and upgrades at volunteer emergency services facilities. There is also $2 million to provide water tanks across the State. The new Albany SES facility will include a big response building, separate administration building, indoor and outdoor training areas and a six-vehicle bay garage that can house the region's Incident Control Vehicle.
Download

9 January

NT: Design tender released for Jabiru Health Centre
The NT Government has released the design tender for Jabiru's new Health Centre, which will provide Territorians across the West Arnhem Region with access to enhanced health care services. The tender is funded through the Government's 135.5 million dollar commitment to support the Mirarr Traditional Owners' vision in transforming the mining town into a vibrant tourism hub in the heart of Kakadu National Park. The project is part of a suite of initiatives aimed at positioning Jabiru on the map not only domestically, but also internationally, said NT Minister for Health Natasha Fyles and NT Member for Arafura Lawrence Costa.
Download

8 January

NT: Tender awarded for the Alice Springs Hospital multi-storey car park
The NT Government will build a multi-storey carpark at the Alice Springs Hospital. Up to 65 local Territory jobs will be supported through the construction of the multi-storey carpark with local business Sunbuild awarded the $13 million tender, said NT Minister Fyles. The development will accommodate 250 cars and provide much needed additional on-site car parking for staff and public at the Alice Springs Hospital. Works are currently underway for the 70 new staff accommodation project which is supporting over 110 jobs and indirectly provide support for 465 jobs, said NT Minister for Central Australia Economic Reconstruction Chansey Paech.
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Dental

None this edition.

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Disabilities

None this edition.

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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

12 January

$44 million to extend dementia training, education and support
The Government will extend grant agreements for programs providing support, training and education for services and individuals caring for people living with dementia. An extra $44 million will be provided to Dementia Training Australia and Dementia Support Australia to extend the following national programs from July 2021 to June 2022:
- Dementia Training Program (DTP)
- Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS)
- Severe Behaviour Response Teams (SBRT)
- Needs Based Assessment (NBA), which is a component of the Specialist Dementia Care Program.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck, said the programs improved care for people living with dementia.
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Funding

None this edition.

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Health Professionals

13 January

NSW: Dr Atul Rakheja - General practitioner - unsatisfactory professional conduct
The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) prosecuted a complaint against Dr Atul Rakheja, general practitioner before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The Commission alleged that Dr Rakheja inappropriately touched the patient ('Patient A') during consultations and made inappropriate comments about her relationship when he was treating her at a medical centre. The Commission also alleged that Dr Rakheja had breached conditions on his registration (which required him to notify the Council in writing at least seven days before working at a specified location, prohibited him from writing prescriptions for female patients, and required practice monitoring). The Tribunal did not find that there was sufficient evidence to sustain the allegations of inappropriate touching and inappropriate comments.
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Hospitals

13 January

Port Macquarie Hospital staff stop work after violent weekend bashing
Health Services Union (HSU) said that Security staff at Port Macquarie Base Hospital stopped work for an extraordinary meeting at 10:30, demanding an urgent review of the protocols for transferring patients from police custody to hospital, after a serious violent attack on staff at the weekend. 'NSW Health must also urgently review the protocols around transferring patients from police custody to hospital. Less than 18 months ago, a violent patient at Port Macquarie Hospital escaped corrective services custody. We have seen a host of similar incidents at other hospitals. The current system is unsustainable and unsafe.'
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QLD: New 'big cat' of pathology arrives at Mackay Base Hospital
Mackay Base Hospital's new rapid testing pathology instrument dubbed the 'Panther' is set to boost local COVID-19 and other respiratory condition testing capacity. Queensland Assistant Minister for Health and Regional Health Infrastructure Julieanne Gilbert said that the addition of the Panther to the Mackay Base Hospital would be a welcome addition to provide locals with world-class healthcare. 'The new Hologic Panther Fusion can diagnose COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory conditions in approximately three hours,' said Minister Gilbert.
Download

8 January

NT: Tender awarded for the Alice Springs Hospital multi-storey car park
The NT Government will build a multi-storey carpark at the Alice Springs Hospital. Up to 65 local Territory jobs will be supported through the construction of the multi-storey carpark with local business Sunbuild awarded the $13 million tender, said NT Minister for Health Natasha Fyles. The development will accommodate 250 cars and provide much needed additional on-site car parking for staff and public at the Alice Springs Hospital. Works are currently underway for the 70 new staff accommodation project which is supporting over 110 jobs and indirectly provide support for 465 jobs, said NT Minister for Central Australia Economic Reconstruction Chansey Paech.
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Insurance

None this edition.

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Medicare

None this edition.

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Men's Health

None this edition.

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Mental Health

14 January

Government launches new headspace centre in Batemans Bay
Young people in Batemans Bay and surrounds will now have easier access to mental health services with the opening of a new headspace centre. The new service was announced as a satellite service as part of the Australian Government's $111.3 million funding commitment to establish 30 new headspace services. Minister for Health Greg Hunt said young people have been affected significantly by the impacts of the bushfires and COVID-19, and access to mental health services and support was more important than ever. Senator for NSW Jim Molan said Bateman's Bay headspace would offer early intervention services.
Download

11 January

WA: New Mid-West mental health service delivered by the WA Government
A new Geraldton community mental health 10-bed step up/step down service has been established for the Mid-West region and delivers on a WA Government election commitment. The service was opened by WA Premier Mark McGowan and WA Mental Minister for Health Roger Cook and will provide short-term residential support and specialised treatment for people experiencing mental health issues in a supportive, community-based environment. It will start accepting individuals from March and will provide 24/7 residential support and individualised care enabling individuals to progress their recovery close to their home, community, and individual support networks.
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System

None this edition.

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Pharmaceuticals and Regulation

13 January

Consultation: Proposal to remove redundant processes for entering certain formulation information into a therapeutic goods application
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said it is seeking feedback on a proposal to streamline how information about certain therapeutic goods formulations is entered into TGA electronic systems when seeking market approval. Specifically, the TGA proposed to discontinue entering certain types of formulations into a subordinate database of ingredient mixtures (known as the Proprietary Ingredients Table) before they are selected into therapeutic goods applications for inclusion in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
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Ability of COVID-19 tests to detect emerging genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2
The TGA announced it is undertaking a post-market review of all Point of Care (PoC) and Laboratory tests included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), which are intended to identify patients with COVID-19, to ensure they can detect the emerging SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants and remain accurate. This review is in addition to the on-going review of the overall performance of PoC tests. The TGA web page will be updated during the course of the post-market review.
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Research

12 January

$38 million available for research into diabetes, heart disease
Minister for Health and Aged Care
Greg Hunt said that two new medical research centres will be funded by the Government to produce rapid improvements in preventing, treating and curing diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and their complications. The Government will provide $10 million each for the new research centres ($20 million overall), as well as $18 million to support translational research projects. Expressions of interest are now being sought by MTPConnect for the two research centres and also the first tranche of translational research projects, worth $6 million. There will be opportunities to fund translational research projects using the remaining $12 million in the future.
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Action needed to tackle health misinformation on internet, social media
The Government must invest in long-term, robust online advertising to counter health misinformation on the internet, including on social media channels, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) said. Releasing the AMA Position Statement on Health Literacy, AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid said the plethora of information online about health and wellbeing is confusing for many people, who have difficulty determining which sources of information are reliable. 'Health literacy is critical to people making informed choices about their health and health care and living longer, healthier lives,' Dr Khorshid said.
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More health literacy needed to stamp out fake health news
The Consumers Health Forum welcomed the AMA's position statement on health literacy as important recognition of the need for strong public support for people to have access to valid health information. 'CHF has long argued for more focus on health literacy to ensure people understand their own health and care needs so they have the power to make the best decisions for their health,' the CEO of CHF, Leanne Wells, said. 'In the internet era when so much good and bad information floods people's screens, there is a need for a healthy information culture to overcome fake health news.'
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Rural, Regional and Remote Health

13 January

WA: Refurbishments on track for Midland Intervention Centre
WA Minister for Health Roger Cook
said that refurbishments are underway for the new community Alcohol and Other Drug Intervention Centre located in Midland. Perth-based Aboriginal-owned enterprise Marawar Building Services was awarded the construction contract in October and has started work on site. The service will provide a safe program over an extended period of up to 21 days during which consumers' medical, psychological and social needs can be assessed. Staff will work with consumers to develop individualised treatments and plans. The service will work assertively to support a client's transition to ongoing treatment and support according to their individual needs.
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11 January

Delay travel to rural Queensland, doctors urge those in Greater Brisbane
The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) and Rural Doctors Association of Queensland (RDAQ) urged those in Greater Brisbane to avoid travelling to rural Queensland following the lifting of the three day COVID-19 lockdown in Greater Brisbane. The Associations have commended the Queensland Government on its response to control the spread of the more virulent UK strain of coronavirus by rapidly introducing the lockdown last week. They have also commended the Government on its decision to require those in Greater Brisbane to continue to wear masks until 22 January in locations like supermarkets, on public transport and in other crowded settings where social distancing is difficult to achieve.
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Women's Health

12 January

WA: New campaign highlights risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy
WA Minister for Health Roger Cook
said, 'A new public education campaign launches to inform the Western Australian community about the risk to babies from alcohol use during pregnancy. The campaign's key message of 'any amount a mother drinks, the baby drinks' challenges the inaccurate belief that a mother's placenta protects a developing baby from alcohol. If a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy, the blood alcohol level of the baby is similar to that of the mother, with research showing that even small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy can be harmful.'
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11 January

$3 million for McGrath Foundation Breast Care Nurses
Breast care nurses epitomise what it is to be a national hero and it is with great privilege the Government is able to continue supporting The McGrath Foundation's breast care nurses with a $3 million investment in 2021 said Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Minister for Health Greg Hunt and Minister for Women Marise Payne. The funding will support these wonderful Australians as they continue to protect and save the lives of so many Australian women with breast cancer. The investment will also fund a scoping project that will seek feedback from patients on what aspects of breast care nurse support they value the most.
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Transcripts

Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Tony Burke
14 JAN: Transcript of Press Conference, Sydney
Subjects: Employment, Vaccines, Trade, JobKeeper, JobSeeker, COVID-19, Industrial relations, Penalty rates, Pay rates, Insurance industry

Department of Health
13 JAN: Transcript of Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, interview with Iskhadar Razak & Georgie Tunney, ABC News Breakfast
Subjects: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Vaccine Rollout, AstraZeneca vaccine, Pfizer vaccine, TGA

Department of Health
13 JAN: Transcript of Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, interview with Charles Croucher & Sylvia Jeffreys, Today Show
Subjects: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Vaccine rollout, AstraZeneca vaccine, TGA

Department of Health
13 JAN: Transcript of Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, interview with Danica De Giorgio, Sky News Live, First Edition
Subjects: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Vaccine Rollout, AstraZeneca vaccine, Pfizer vaccine, TGA

Department of Health
13 JAN: Transcript of Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, interview with Natalie Barr & Matt Doran, Sunrise
Subjects: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Vaccine Rollout, AstraZeneca vaccine, Pfizer vaccine, TGA

Australian Medical Association (AMA)
13 JAN: Transcript of Interview by President, Dr Omar Khorshid, with Ros Childs, ABC News
Subjects: Coronavirus, Health misinformation, Vaccine roll out

Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese
13 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Murray Jones, 4CA Cairns
Subjects: Federal Opposition Leader's car accident, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Censorship, Free speech, US President social media bans

Shadow Minister for Health Chris Bowen
13 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Sally Sara, ABC RN Breakfast
Subjects: Coronavirus, COVID-19, AstraZeneca vaccine, Vaccine rollout, Hotel quarantine, Frontline workers, TGA, Federal Member for Hughes

Shadow Minister for Employment and Industry Brendan O'Connor
13 JAN: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Melbourne
Subjects: Job vacancies, JobKeeper, JobMaker, Superannuation, Vaccine, ProBuild, Border closures

Shadow Minister for the Environment and Water Terri Butler
13 JAN: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Cairns
Subjects: COVID-19, Great Barrier Reef, Economy, JobKeeper cuts, Tourism, Tertiary education, Climate change, International borders

Deputy Chair of Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit Julian Hill
13 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Marcus Paul, 2SM Marcus Paul in the Morning
Subjects: Acting Prime Minister, Outgoing US President, US protesters, Coronavirus, COVID-19, JobKeeper, Unemployment, Vaccine rollout

Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack
12 JAN: Transcript of Media Conference, Charters Towers
Subjects: Water assets, Water infrastructure, Regional Queensland, Building infrastructure, JobKeeper, Coronavirus, COVID-19, PPE, Mask mandates, WHO

Minister for Health Greg Hunt
12 JAN: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Mount Martha
Subjects: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Diabetes care, Cardiovascular care, Vaccine rollout, Emerging COVID-19 strains, PPE, Traffic light permit system, Community transmission

Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack
11 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Sally Sara, ABC Radio National Breakfast
Subjects: COVID-19, Border restrictions, COVID-19 vaccine, Social distancing, Public health, USA President, Queensland, regional Australians

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
11 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Chris Smith, 2GB
Subjects: Tax cuts, Border restrictions, COVID vaccine, Economic support measures, Household consumption, Business confidence, State Premiers, International travel

Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese
11 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Marcus Paul, 2SM in the Morning
Subjects: COVID-19, Car accident, Hospital, Public health, Social media, Vaccine rollout, Marrickville

Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers
11 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Thomas Oriti, ABC News Radio
Subjects: COVID-19, Public health, Economic recovery, Income tax cuts, JobKeeper & JobSeeker, Brisbane lockdown, Family, Hiring credit program, Small business

Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education and Development Amanda Rishworth
11 JAN: Transcript of Interview on FIVEAA Breakfast
Subjects: COVID-19, Public health, Childcare costs, Youth, Women, Inflation, Family, Education

Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education and Development Amanda Rishworth
10 JAN: Transcript of Press Conference, Angus Neill Reserve, Seacliff
Subjects: COVID-19, Public health, Child care costs, Vaccine safety, Early childhood education, Youth, CPI

Prime Minister Scott Morrison
08 JAN: Transcript of Press Conference, Australian Parliament House, ACT
Subjects: National Cabinet, COVID-19, Public health, AHPPC, Chief Medical Officer, National Vaccine Program, Brisbane

Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor
08 JAN: Transcript of Interview with Chris Smith, 2GB
Subjects: Diesel Storage program, Fuel security, US protesters, Outgoing US President, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Vaccine rollout

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Reports

Australian Public Assessment Report for Iodised oil
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)

This AusPAR describes the application by Guerbet Australia (the sponsor) to register Lipiodol Ultra Fluid (iodised oil) 10 mL injection solution ampoule for the following extension of indications: In interventional radiology: Visualisation and localisation during Trans-Arterial Chemo-Embolisation (TACE) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at intermediate stage in adults.
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TGA Stakeholder Survey 2020
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)

The 2020 survey covered topics from previous surveys while incorporating new questions in selected areas, such as advertising and medicine shortages. The 2020 survey found that around 1 in 2 Australian consumers had heard of the TGA. Of those who were familiar with the TGA, the majority of consumer, health professional and medical products industry respondents trusted the TGA to act ethically and with integrity. The majority also believed that the TGA gets the balance right between access to therapeutic goods and safety for consumers.
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QLD: Government Response to the Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee's Interim Report on the Inquiry into the Queensland Government's health response to COVID-19
Queensland Government

The committee tabled its Report No. 43, 56th Parliament - Interim Report: Inquiry into the Queensland Government's health response to COVID-19 (Report No. 43) in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday 16 September 2020. Report No. 43 is an Interim Report in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic noting that some issues raised in the Inquiry will warrant further careful consideration once the public health emergency has passed.
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Hansards

Federal

13 JAN 2021: SENATE NOTICE PAPER: Questions on Notice - 2504 Senator Wong: Minister for Foreign Affairs - In relation to Dept of Foreign Affairs & Trade measure COVID-19 Response Package - Support for COVID-19 Vaccine Access in Pacific & Southeast Asia

13 JAN 2021: SENATE NOTICE PAPER: Questions on Notice - 2501 Senator Wong: Minister for Foreign Affairs - In relation to the Dept of Foreign Affairs & Trade measure COVID-19 Response Package - COVID-19 Vaccine Access & Health Security Program

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Court Cases

None this edition.

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New Regulations

Federal

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS Worker Screening Law Amendment No. 1 Determination) 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2021L00046

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS Worker Screening Law Amendment No. 1 Determination) 2020 (Amendment Determination) specifies further State and Territory laws that are NDIS worker screening laws for the purposes of section 10B of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013. The purpose of the Amendment Determination is to amend the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS Worker Screening Law) Determination 2020.
Explanatory Statement

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Proclamations

None this edition.

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Gazette Notices

None this edition.

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Consolidated Legislation

Health Insurance (Diagnostic Imaging Services Table) Regulations (No. 2) 2020
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2021C00045

Regulations as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (2020 Measures No. 3) Regulations 2020.
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National Health (Supplies of out-patient medication) Determination 2019 (No. 2) (PB 110 of 2019)
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2021C00025

PB 110 of 2019 Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Supplies of out-patient medication) Amendment Determination 2020 (PB 132 of 2020).
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Dental Benefits Rules 2014
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2021C00014

Rules/Other as amended, taking into account amendments up to Dental Benefits Amendment Rules (No. 1) 2020.
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New Bills

None this edition.

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New Acts

None this edition.

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