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)

15 June

NSW: New report shows impact of Omicron outbreak
Patients continued to receive high quality care and the majority of emergency department attendees were seen on time during the peak of the Omicron outbreak from January to March 2022 - one of the most challenging quarters on record in NSW. High numbers of COVID-19 cases state-wide presented serious challenges due to complex presentations and admissions to hospitals and many staff being unavailable due to being exposed to or contracting the virus in the community or at work. NSW Department of Health Secretary Susan Pearce said the latest Bureau of Health Information (BHI) report highlights some of the impacts of this unprecedented period for the public health service.
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NT: COVID-19 update - Public Health Emergency ends, airport mask mandate lifts
The Northern Territory's Public Health Emergency Declaration will cease at 11.59pm 15 June, Wednesday 15 June 2022. To ensure the Territory can continue to respond to COVID-19, some Chief Health Officer Directions (CHO) will remain in place. Everyone should get tested for COVID-19 if showing symptoms using a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). People who test positive to a RAT must immediately declare their result using the Rapid Antigen Test declaration form, said NT Health. This is a legal requirement.
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QLD: Mask mandate in airports lifts this weekend
The mask mandate in all Queensland airports will be lifted from this weekend. Queensland Minister for Health Yvette D'Ath said the Queensland Government would adopt the recommendation of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) to ease the mandate from midnight 17 June. 'AHPPC considers that it is no longer proportionate to mandate mask use in airport terminals,' the Minister said. 'From midnight this Friday the mask mandate in Queensland airports will be lifted. Passengers will still be required to wear masks on planes, in line with AHPPC's advice.'
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TAS: Further COVID restrictions to be eased
As part of the ongoing transition to live with COVID-19 and in line with public health advice, Tasmania will gradually step down a number of the last remaining restrictions in the coming weeks. Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said from 12.01am Saturday 18 June, there will no longer be a requirement to wear masks in Tasmanian airports, although people will still be required to wear masks while on planes, in line with the national approach. From 12.01am Saturday 25 June, people will no longer be required to wear face masks on public transport, including the Spirit of Tasmania.
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WA: Mask wearing mandate removed at airports in line with national advice
Based on the latest national advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), mask wearing mandates in airports in Western Australia will be lifted from 12.01am Saturday June 18, 2022. WA Premier Mark McGowan said masks must continue to be worn on aircraft as per existing requirements, and are still encouraged to be worn in international and domestic terminals, if people wish to wear them. In line with current baseline public health measures, masks are still required in certain settings across the State, including health care settings, residential aged and disability care facilities, and on public and passenger transport.
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14 June

Government acknowledges AHPPC advice to end mandatory mask wearing in airport terminals
The Australian Government acknowledges the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) recommendation that mask wearing no longer be mandated in airport terminals from as early as 11.59pm 17 June. Masks will still be required on all flights. 'We anticipate the travelling public will notice this change in the days following Friday as individual state and territory jurisdictions make the necessary changes to their public health orders,' said Member for Brand Madeline King with Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler. This changed advice comes after the AHPPC has reviewed the current COVID-19 situation in Australia and considers it no longer proportionate to mandate mask wearing in the terminals.
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AHPPC statement on the removal of mask mandates in airports
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) has reviewed the current COVID-19 situation in Australia and revised the need for mandated mask wearing in certain settings. The AHPPC notes that all states and territories have relaxed mask mandates in most settings within the community and considers that it is no longer proportionate to mandate mask use in airport terminals. The AHPPC proposes that mask wearing in airport terminals no longer be mandated from as early as midnight 17 June 2022.
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IP waiver for COVID vaccines misses the mark in vaccinating the world
Vaccinating the world remains a priority and proposals to weaken the intellectual property (IP) for COVID-19 vaccines are unnecessary, as this will not increase vaccination rates around the world. This week, discussions at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva, to introduce an IP waiver - known as the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver - in the 'Quad compromise', takes precious attention away from more effective actions needed to increase vaccinations in the poorest nations. Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer, said only 17.8%[1] of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, but there is no evidence that IP is a barrier to vaccine production or access.
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Lost education a significant and long-term cost to bear
If the goal is to keep parents at work, robust prevention strategies are required to stop children getting sick at school. Gardian PR & Communications Manager Trish Riley said for working parents, the uncertainty surrounding childcare and school attendance for school-aged children is unprecedented, with a cascading set of consequences on family life, education, and earnings. According to the World Economic Forum, the COVID-19 crisis has to date, forced school closures in 188 countries, effectively disrupting the learning process of more than 1.7 billion children, youth, and their families.
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SA: SA COVID-19 Update 14 June 2022
There have been 2,429 new cases of COVID-19 reported in South Australia, according to SA Health. There are currently 15,987 active cases in South Australia. There are 226 people with COVID-19 in hospital, including eight people in ICU. Of those hospitalised, 131 people have received three or more vaccine doses, 75 people are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated and 20 have an unknown vaccination status. Due to a reconfiguration of the data, the total number of cases has been readjusted.
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VIC: Supporting local traders in Bentleigh
Bentleigh locals will get the enhanced local shopping experience they deserve under a new commitment announced by the Victorian Opposition. Victorian Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Small Business David Southwick said Local shopping strips and small businesses have been the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Victorian Government has refused to provide the level of support needed to get small businesses in Victoria going again. That's why a future Victorian Opposition Government will provide a grant of $50,000 to the Bentleigh Traders Association for a local shopping strip recovery and revitalisation project.
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WA: COVID-19 update 14 June 2022
WA Health is reporting a total of 6,315 new cases to 8pm June 13th. There are currently 38,286 active cases in Western Australia. To 8pm June 13th, there were 278 people with COVID19 in hospital, 12 in ICU. Sadly, this report includes six new deaths dating back to 19 May which were reported to WA Health; a man in his 90s, three men in their 80s, a woman in her 70s and a woman in her 60s. Due to confidentiality requirements, no further information on these cases will be released by the Department.
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WA: Monkeypox virus update
A visitor who travelled through Perth last month was diagnosed with monkeypox after returning overseas. No secondary cases were identified in Western Australia following contact tracing by WA Health, and all contacts remain well. There have not been any cases of monkeypox diagnosed in Western Australia. Acting Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate, Dr Jelena Maticevic, said while there was no risk to the public from the visitor, people should be aware of monkeypox if travelling overseas given the growing number of cases being reported.
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10 June

NT: COVID-19 update
There were 213 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the NT in the 24 hours to 8pm on 9 June 2022, according to NT Health. Of these, 168 were positive cases from a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). There were 108 cases recorded in the Top End region, 56 in Central Australia, seven in East Arnhem, 11 in the Big Rivers region, two in the Barkly region and 29 are under investigation. There are currently 13 patients in hospital. There are three patients requiring oxygen and there are no patients in ICU. The number of active cases in the NT is 1,354.
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SA: COVID-19 Update
There have been 2,342 new cases of COVID-19 reported in South Australia. There are currently 16,798 active cases in South Australia. Sadly, SA Health can confirm one woman in her 20s and one man in his 90s, who tested positive for COVID-19, have passed away. There are 235 people with COVID-19 in hospital, including five people in ICU. Of those hospitalised, 132 people have received three or more vaccine doses, 81 people are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated and 22 have an unknown vaccination status. Due to a reconfiguration of the data, the total number of cases has been readjusted.
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WA: COVID-19 update
WA Health is reporting a total of 7,174 new cases to 8pm June 9th. There are currently 39,199 active cases in Western Australia. To 8pm June 9th, there were 279 people with COVID-19 in hospital, 16 in ICU. Sadly, this report includes six new deaths dating back to 19 May which were reported to WA Health; two men and two women in their 80s, a woman in her 70s and a man in his 60s. WA Health has reclassified two previous deaths as non-COVID related deaths. Due to confidentiality requirements, no further information on these cases will be released by the Department.
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Aged Care

None this edition.

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Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

None this edition.

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Allied Health

14 June

Social worker fined $7,000 for breaching the National Law
A Queensland-based social worker who claimed to be a psychologist and treated a patient has been fined $7,000 by the Sandgate Magistrates' Court following prosecution by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). The person, who has a background in social work, told the patient they were a psychologist despite having never held registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (the Psychology Board). Believing them to be a psychologist, the patient received treatment over five sessions between February and March 2021.
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Children's Health

14 June

Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice - Adverse childhood experiences and trauma among young people in the youth justice system
This study by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) examines the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in a representative sample of young people under youth justice supervision in South Australia. The analysis showed that not only was the prevalence of ACEs particularly high in this population (89% experienced a combination of maltreatment and household dysfunction), but so too were trauma symptomatology, substance use, and internalising and externalising behaviours (with more than two-thirds of young people scoring in the clinical ranges on each of these measures).
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Lost education a significant and long-term cost to bear
If the goal is to keep parents at work, robust prevention strategies are required to stop children getting sick at school. For working parents, the uncertainty surrounding childcare and school attendance for school-aged children is unprecedented, with a cascading set of consequences on family life, education, and earnings. According to the World Economic Forum, the COVID-19 crisis has to date, forced school closures in 188 countries, effectively disrupting the learning process of more than 1.7 billion children, youth, and their families.
Download

10 June

VIC: Women's and children's hospital another step closer
The Victorian Government is getting on with delivering a flagship new Barwon Women's and Children's Hospital, giving local families the world-class maternity and paediatric services they need close to home. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced that work on the project is expected to get underway later this year and will support around 1,500 direct and indirect jobs at peak construction. More than $500 million from the Victorian Budget 2022/23 will deliver the flagship project, which will include paediatric and maternity services including multi-day beds, birthing suites, induction spaces, operating theatres and outpatient clinic rooms, said Victorian Member for Geelong Christine Couzens and Victorian Member for Lara John Eren. The Victorian Government is also investing $20 million in a new emergency department for kids at University Hospital, said Victorian Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville and Victorian Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman.
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Clinical Governance

16 June

Leaders must seize the day to fix health crisis
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and state and territory leaders must seize the moment when they meet to stem the health care crisis that's leading to avoidable deaths. Australian Medical Association (AMA) President Dr Omar Khorshid said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese must make good his pre-election promise to listen and work constructively with the states on hospital and health system pressures, but must also take immediate action. 'With consensus on hospital funding reform among state and territory leaders, Friday's first meeting with Prime Minister Albanese is a real moment for the health system,' Dr Khorshid said.
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AMA calls for greater role for doctors in disaster planning and management
The AMA has released an updated position statement on the role of doctors in disasters. In its most comprehensive position statement on disaster ethics to date, the AMA has called for both expert and front-line doctors to be included in planning for disasters, as well as having a seat at the table with emergency managers during disasters. The position statement comes after the experience of doctors in the recent bushfire and flood catastrophes and the continuing COVID pandemic. AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid said doctors with expertise or coal-face experience are not given a sufficient role in current disaster planning arrangements.
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10 June

VIC: Record 65,000 flu cases in May as experts warn 2022 flu resurgence redefines what it means to be 'flu ready'
Experts have warned that the 2022 flu season will redefine what it means for Australia to be 'flu ready' as the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System reported over 65,775 confirmed cases of influenza in May. This compares with 30,372 cases in May 2019 which was until now the highest number of confirmed cases recorded in the month of May. Meeting at BioMelbourne Network's Flu resurgence - what does it mean for our sector? event, a panel of Australia's leading influenza and biosecurity experts discussed the implications of flu re-emerging in 2022.
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Construction and Health Infrastructure

None this edition.

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Dental

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Disabilities

14 June

Services Australia Mobile Service Centres - NDIA visiting Regional Victoria and New South Wales
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and its Partners in the Community will be visiting rural and regional Victoria and New South Wales locations on board the Services Australia Mobile Service Centres. You can visit the Mobile Service Centre and connect with an NDIS representative about a range of topics including:
-understanding the NDIS including Early Childhood and Local Area Coordination services
- applying to access the NDIS for funded supports
- updates on support for coronavirus vaccine for people with disability
- understanding the options of managing your funding
- understanding your role in setting up a service agreement
- NDIS price guide and support costs
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10 June

Improvements to requesting Home and Living supports
'We are improving the way participants can request home and living supports. The NDIA is committed to supporting eligible participants to access the right housing supports in a timely and consistent way. We want to deliver the quickest possible pathway to make decisions about home and living supports which respects a participant's individual circumstances and often complex needs. From 9 June 2022, the process for requesting home and living supports will change for participants. Home and living supports are considered holistically as part of your overall NDIS plan,' said the NDIA.
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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

10 June

Medicines Australia moves quickly to put HTA system reform high on new Government's agenda
Medicines Australia has moved quickly to ensure that major reform of Australia's health technology assessment (HTA) system is high on the new Government's agenda. Since the election, Medicines Australia has written to key MPs and Senators reiterating the organisation's election policy priorities, most notably the HTA Reform. Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer, has discussed the major policy reforms being advocated by the medicines industry to improve patient access to new medicines in person with Health Minister Mark Butler and has this week followed up with his office.
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Education and Training

None this edition.

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Funding

16 June

QLD pledges $35.5m for vaccine manufacturing facility
More than $35 million will go towards a Queensland vaccine manufacturing facility as part of the state budget, according to InnovationAus. The funds will support the development of a translational manufacturing (TM) facility, to be built by the Translational Research Institute (TRI). With the additional funding, the Queensland government is now contributing three-quarters of the $80 million cost of the TM@TRI facility. The state government committed $20 million last year to the facility through the Industry Partnership program last year. This came out of the $3.34 billion Queensland Jobs Fund established in response to the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Construction of the facility is now fully funded.
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14 June

Government joins with Big Freeze 8 to tackle MND
The Federal Government will provide $4 million to ensure the continuing battle against motor neurone disease (MND) is well armed. The funds will be provided over the next two years to FightMND in its quest to better understand the causes of this devastating disease and pursue potential treatments and a cure. Announcing the funding during the eighth Big Freeze AFL match between Collingwood and Melbourne at the MCG, Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, said FightMND's vision of a world without MND was one shared by the Government.
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VIC: Innovation challenge to drive medtech manufacturing
The Victorian Government is improving the lives of people with disabilities and health conditions by backing the state's brightest minds to deliver new locally manufactured medtech. Victorian Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford visited Swinburne University to announce $400,000 in funding for two new innovation challenges to fast-track the development of healthcare products. The Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery Medtech Challenge and the Swinburne LivingAT Health Innovation Challenge will strengthen ties between allied health workers, researchers, developers and manufacturers while propelling the commercialisation of new ideas.
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13 June

VIC: FightMND: Backing a great cause and a great Victorian
Victorians will pause to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of Neale Daniher to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and raise money for vital research to find a cure for the fatal disease. Tens of thousands of football fans will be at the MCG for the Big Freeze 8 to watch stars including Ash Barty, Hamish Blake and Eddie Betts take a slide and an icy dunk in the aid of a great cause. The Government will donate $250,000 to help FightMND reach its target of raising $2 million by half time of the Melbourne v Collingwood match, said Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.
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Health Professionals

13 June

AMA congratulates members on the queen's birthday 2022 honours list
A former President of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) is among AMA members who have been recognised for their service to medicine in the Queen's Birthday 2022 Honours List. Dr Steven Hambleton (AM) from Queensland is a Member of the Order of Australia. He was President of the AMA from 2011-14 and Vice President from 2009-2011. He has been recognised for his significant service to medical governance, professional associations and the community. Professor Peter Choong (AO) from Kew, Victoria been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to orthopaedic medicine, to research and tertiary medical education, and to professional associations.
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12 June

NSW: Flexible childcare for our doctors and nurses
Essential health workers in four of NSW's newest hospitals will have access to on-site extended hours childcare thanks to an $8 million investment in the 2022-23 NSW Budget. On-site childcare services will be built at Westmead, Bankstown-Lidcombe, Shellharbour and Shoalhaven hospitals and the NSW Government will review its other existing and planned hospitals to look for other opportunities to ensure hospital staff have access to childcare facilities that suit their working needs. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and NSW Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said this important initiative will provide our essential health workers with more flexibility helping nurses, doctors, allied health and support workers to balance raising a family with their vital work.
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10 June

A burnt-out, under-staffed medical workforce cannot adequately teach the next generation, Australian medical students say
The Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA) is significantly concerned about burnout among many medical professionals and the understated impacts on medical students and their medical education. Recent stressors to Australia's health system alongside long-term unsustainable workforce planning have placed extreme pressure on the health workforce, leading to challenges to Australia's health system. 'What we are seeing currently is an extremely burnt out medical profession, disastrous staff shortages, and intensified clinical demand due to influenza and COVID-19,' AMSA President Ms Jasmine Davis said.
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Hospitals

15 June

NSW: Health data paints alarming picture of healthcare breakdown
Data released confirms that the NSW health system is in crisis with emergency department wait times at record highs second only to 2020 when Covid-19 lockdowns forced theatres to close, said Greens MP and health spokesperson, Cate Faehrmann. 'We have a public healthcare system that is crumbling around us following decades of neglect and a Covid pandemic that's exposed the deep cracks in the system,' said NSW MP and Greens Health Spokesperson Cate Faehrmann. 'The brutal reality is that successive governments have neglected to provide adequate investment that's needed to fix this.
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VIC: Making Heidelberg's Hospital Precinct Safer
The Victorian Government has delivered important upgrades around Heidelberg's hospital precinct, improving safety and accessibility for pedestrians, motorists, and ambulances. The $2 million works along Burgundy Street ensure the community can safely access vital medical facilities and other amenities. Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said a safer speed limit of 40km/h has been introduced between Upper Heidelberg Road and the Studley Road/Stradbroke Avenue intersection, outside the Austin, Mercy and Warringal hospitals. Road resurfacing works and the installation of wide painted median strips are providing better crossing points for pedestrians, and the improvements are also increasing access for ambulances turning into entrances to the hospitals.
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VIC: Delivering better palliative care in Shepparton
Patients and their families in the Goulburn Valley and surrounding communities will soon have better access to world-class palliative care services with construction on a new palliative care hub almost finished. Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley inspected progress on Goulburn Valley Hospice Care Service's new multi-million-dollar facility which is on track to be completed next month. The new palliative care hub is being delivered with more than $937,000 from the fifth round of the Government's Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF) and will ensure that the Goulburn Valley Hospice Care Service can continue to meet the Greater Shepparton region's growing need for specialist community palliative care.
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VIC: Shepparton hospital redevelopment hits new milestone
Families in the Goulburn Valley community now have better access to world-class baby, children's and emergency care, thanks to a major boost from the Government. Victorian Minister Foley officially opened Shepparton hospital's new cutting-edge 10-cot special care nursery and 12-bed paediatric ward - along with the next stage of the expanded emergency department - announcing the massive $229.3 million redevelopment is on-track to be completed later this year. The newly-redeveloped emergency department includes 36 treatment spaces including nine short-stay beds for patients who need care for less than 24 hours - doubling existing capacity.
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11 June

VIC: Site secured for new community hospital
The Victorian Government's promise to deliver a new community hospital in Melbourne's northeast is on track and on time - with a site now secured. Victorian Minister Foley and Victorian Member for Eltham Vicki Ward announced that a government-owned parcel of land at 405 Ryans Road, Diamond Creek, will be home to the new multi-million-dollar facility. To be operated by Austin Health, the Eltham area Community Hospital (interim name) will be a public hospital providing a range of day hospital and primary health care services, including unplanned urgent care, general medical and specialist appointments, day surgery and chronic disease management.
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10 June

NSW: $658 mil Sydney Children's Hospital underway
Construction of the $658 million Sydney Children's Hospital Stage 1 redevelopment and Australia's first Children's Comprehensive Cancer Centre is set to start, with the appointment of the main works contractor, said the NSW Department of Health. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and Member for Vaucluse Gabrielle Upton announced John Holland Pty Ltd will deliver the state-of-the art facility, to be located in the Randwick Health and Innovation Precinct. Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the redeveloped paediatric hospital and the new dedicated research facility will deliver life-changing care to some of the state's most unwell children.
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Insurance

None this edition.

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Medicare

None this edition.

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Men's Health

15 June

TAS: Men's Sheds celebrating Men's Health Week 2022
Men's Health Week is a great opportunity to talk about the key issues in men's health and to raise the profile of men's health outcomes and health needs in Tasmania and around the country. This year the Tasmanian Men's Shed Association (TMSA) is supporting Men's Health Week with a campaign about 'Men Time' through their 'Dr Shed' series with medical expert Bryan Walpole, which will promote the importance of looking after yourself, and each other. TMSA acknowledges and thanks all members of the more than 60 Men's Sheds now registered across Tasmania for hosting events and gatherings across the State.
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Mental Health

16 June

Three in five young Australians suffer corporal punishment, almost doubling their risk of mental health disorders
Australian-first research into the prevalence of childhood maltreatment has found 61 per cent of Australians aged 16-24 have experienced corporal punishment on more than three occasions. The Australian Child Maltreatment Study's preliminary results also show those subjected to such punishment at the hands of their parents and caregivers are up to twice as likely to develop anxiety and depression. 'The relationship between corporal punishment and mental health disorders is strong,' Australian Catholic University's Institute for Child Protection Studies director Professor Daryl Higgins said.
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15 June

SA: New Lyell McEwin ED space, Mental Health Unit set to receive patients
The SA Government marks a key milestone in the redevelopment of Lyell McEwin Hospital, with a new space in the Emergency Department soon to receive patients and an upgraded Mental Health Short Stay Unit set to provide state-of-the-art facilities for growing communities in Adelaide's north. SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said the new ED space is Stage 2 of a $58 million, three-stage project that when fully completed will combine the new space with a redeveloped section of the current ED to deliver 19 more treatment spaces - and 72 treatment spaces in total.
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VIC: Victoria's archaic mental health approach nation's worst
There is no place in our society for cuffing vulnerable Victorians to their hospital bed during a mental health crisis. But disturbing data shows this practice is becoming more common in Victoria under the Government despite the Royal Commission's warnings it must stop. Victorian Shadow Minister for Mental Health Emma Kealy said the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC) research shows the use of restraint or seclusion is used in Victoria at a higher rate than the national average.
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14 June

RPH's new $10 million inpatient Mental Health Unit now open
A new world class 12 bed mental health unit has now opened at Royal Perth Hospital, adding extra beds to the public mental health system. The unit is called "Dabakarn" and will accept its first patients and takes its name from the Wadjuk Noongar language, meaning "slowly, slowly", to reflect its commitment to being a holistic space for healing. The new unit will add an extra 12 beds into the mental health system and provide a valuable 24/7 tool in addressing patient flow through the busy RPH Emergency Department.
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Australia Post appoints inaugural Chief Mental Health Officer
Australia Post announced the appointment of Simon Brown-Greaves as its first Chief Mental Health Officer, the first of its type for a Government Business Enterprise, as the organisation continues to focus on not just the physical safety of its people, but also on the mental health and wellbeing of its more than 60,000 strong extended workforce. Mr Brown-Greaves is a leader in mental health advocacy and a qualified psychologist and senior executive with over 35 years' experience.
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9 June

TAS: Supporting the wellbeing and mental health of our police officers
'The Tasmanian Government is committed to keeping our communities safe, and particularly supporting our hardworking police officers,' said Tasmanian Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management Jacquie Petrusma. 'Due to our Government's targeted investments and focus on tackling crime, Tasmania is one of the safest places to live and raise a family. When Labor lost Government in 2014, Tasmania was left with fewer police officers than when Labor first came to office 16 years before in 1998. This is Labor's legacy.'
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System

None this edition.

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Pharmaceuticals and Regulation

16 June

Shortage of iodinated contrast media (contrast) diagnostic agents
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is aware of a global shortage of iodinated contrast media (contrast) diagnostic agents. The TGA recommends urgent conservation of stock until the shortage is resolved as current supply is very limited. Non-ionic contrast agent is used to enhance imaging in a wide range of diagnostic procedures in adults and children. GE Healthcare, the sponsor of Omnipaque (iohexol) and Visipaque (iodixanol), has notified the TGA of a shortage of multiple presentations of both these products due to reduced manufacturing capacity and freight delays caused by the recent unexpected COVID-19 lockdown in Shanghai, China.
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Pharmaceutical benefits scheme safety net threshold reduction from 1 July 2022
As a cost-of-living measure, the Australian Government is lowering the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Safety Net thresholds from 1 July 2022 by the equivalent of 12 fully priced scripts for concession card holders and the equivalent of approximately two fully priced scripts for non-concessional patients. For concessional patients, the safety net threshold will be lowered from $326.40 to $244.80, an $81.60 reduction for concessional patients. This means when a concession card holder reaches the safety net threshold, after 36 full priced concessional scripts, they will receive PBS medicines at no charge for the rest of the year.
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