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)
30 March
Funding for global health efforts welcome, but further commitment desperately needed
The Commonwealth's decision to allocate additional funds to global COVID vaccination and broader health efforts has been welcomed by the Pacific Friends of Global Health. However, further commitment will be necessary to meet the urgency of the world's needs to address the pandemic and restore progress against major infectious diseases such as AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Pacific Friends warmly welcomes the additional $85 million to the COVAX Advanced Market Commitment to help vaccine access in the world's 92 poorest countries and hopes to see this built upon with further contributions at the COVAX summit on 8 April.
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TAS: Coronavirus update
'Tasmania has recorded 2,472 new cases with 1,984 people recovered and released from isolation in that time,' said Tasmanian Minister for Health Jeremy Rockcliff. 'The total number of active cases currently stands at 11,902 and the total number of people who have recovered is now 74,836. While case numbers are currently elevated associated with the BA2 variant outbreak, hospitalisation rates remain low. There are currently 22 people in hospital with COVID and of these, 10 are being treated specifically for COVID. There are currently two people being cared for in the ICU.'
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28 March
National COVID-19 update: ATAGI recommends an additional booster dose for residents of disability care facilities
From the National Disability Service - What you need to know:
- To increase vaccine protection, an additional booster is recommended for residents of disability accommodation
- An additional booster is also recommended for adults over the age of 65, residents of aged care facilities, people who are severely immunocompromised, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50
- The additional winter booster can be given from four months after a person has received their first booster or after a person has had COVID-19 (if this was after they received their first booster)
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25 March
Winter COVID-19 dose recommended for Australians at higher risk
Australians considered most at risk of severe illness will be able to receive a fourth COVID- 19 vaccine heading into winter following advice accepted by the Australian Government from leading immunisation experts. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has reviewed available evidence and recommends an additional dose be given to people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 from four months after their initial booster dose, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt.
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Australia's biosecurity emergency pandemic measures to end
Following medical advice, the Biosecurity Emergency Determination relating to COVID-19 for Australia will not be renewed when it lapses on April 17. 'I am taking this decision now so as to provide forward guidance based on the advice of the Professor Paul Kelly, the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer,' said Minister Hunt. 'The emergency period was a crucial early decision in Australia's pandemic response. It has saved tens of thousands of lives as Australia avoided some of the worst outcomes from the early spread of the virus and now has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world.'
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WA: More access to free RATs for WA regional and remote communities
The WA Government will distribute 74,000 free Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) to remote Aboriginal communities across the State during the next phase of the WA Free RAT Program. The supply will ensure remote and regional communities continue to be well-placed to detect COVID-19 with the quick at-home tests. Residents in remote communities will receive 20 RATs per household - above the 15 tests available to households around the State - due to the distance from services and access to postage, said WA Premier Mark McGowan and WA Minister for Health Amber-Jade Sanderson.
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Aged Care
29 March
Record investment in the future health of Australia's health system
The Government is investing in a stronger health system as part of our plan for a stronger future through a record $132 billion in 2022-23, increasing to $140 billion in 2025-26, with a total commitment of $537 billion over the next four years. Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt and Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services and Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said this record funding will ensure Australians have access to improved healthcare, when and where they need it.
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Residential aged care quality and safety - assuring access to multidisciplinary care and maintaining effective quality audits
The Australian Government has implemented the first year of a five year aged care reform program, in response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, said the Department of Health. The once in a generation reforms are based on five pillars - home care, residential aged care services and sustainability, residential quality and safety, workforce and governance - to deliver respect, care and dignity for senior Australians.
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Budget leaves aged care workers in the lurch
Anglicare Australia has said that the Budget fails to deliver on unfinished business from the Royal Commission. 'Everyone deserves quality care as they get older. All of us should be able to get quality care, with dignity, when we need it. The only way to deliver that care is with a strong workforce,' said Anglicare Australia Executive Director Kasy Chambers. 'Yet Australia's aged care workforce is under pressure. Low pay is forcing workers to make tough decisions. Many workers are leaving aged care altogether.
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Government must ensure billions in public funding is tied to care of Australian aged care residents
A new report examining the financial and tax practices of some of Australia's largest nursing home operators, again highlights the urgent need for the Government to ensure greater transparency and accountability for the billions in additional public funding poured into the troubled aged care sector, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) said.
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Aged care workers to launch campaign against Government
'The Federal Government is squarely within the campaign sights of aged care workers, who will rally outside federal parliament after being dudded in the Budget,' said the Health Services Union (HSU). 'Personal care workers, home care workers, recreational activities officers, catering, cleaning, administration, and other aged care staff are seeking a 25 per cent pay increase through a Fair Work Commission case. This would equate to an increase of between $5.40 and $7.20 per hour to increase the average wage to $29 per hour. Some aged care workers are currently paid less than $22 per hour.'
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Dementia Australia acknowledges government's continued commitment to aged care reform
The continued investment into the aged care sector announced by the Government in tonight's Federal Budget is an essential step in fulfilling the recommendations by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, said Dementia Australia. A year on since the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety's Final Report: Care, Dignity and Respect and now into the third year of the pandemic, extra and ongoing pressures are being placed on the health and aged care systems.
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28 March
Minimum standards for allied health interventions in Aged Care are needed to avert further neglect of older Australians
Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH): Minimum standards for allied health interventions in Aged Care are needed to avert further neglect of older Australians A new funding model will soon be introduced into residential aged care facilities that , according to the Australian Government , will better match resident needs and distribute funds more equitably . The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) is set to commence in October 2022.
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25 March
Aged care bonus fail: 97 Per cent without top-up
More than three weeks after an aged care bonus program launched, 97 per cent of aged care workers in a new survey say they have not received a bonus. In a United Workers Union survey of more than 1000 aged care workers, many expressed their anger at the failure of the program to offer speedy bonuses, with payments caught up in a lengthy bureaucratic process. 'This Federal Government bonus has further angered aged care workers rather than giving them the timely reward they deserve for working through Omicron,' National Aged Care Director Carolyn Smith said.
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Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
None this edition.
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Allied Health
28 March
Minimum standards for allied health interventions in Aged Care are needed to avert further neglect of older Australians
Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH): Minimum standards for allied health interventions in Aged Care are needed to avert further neglect of older Australians A new funding model will soon be introduced into residential aged care facilities that , according to the Australian Government , will better match resident needs and distribute funds more equitably . The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) is set to commence in October 2022.
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Children's Health
None this edition.
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Clinical Governance
None this edition.
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Construction and Health Infrastructure
None this edition.
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Dental
None this edition.
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Disabilities
29 March
Government delivering record NDIS investment and guaranteeing essential government services
The Government delivers the essential services Australians rely on by fully funding the National Disability Insurance Scheme as a demand driven scheme, with record investment of $157.8 billion over four years. Minister for Government Services and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Linda Reynolds, said through the 2022-23 Budget the Government is improving and modernising access to government supports and building a strong and sustainable workforce to support the NDIS, which is now supporting 500,000 participants.
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Peak disability org slams 2022 Federal Budget
Australia's peak disability rights and advocacy organisation has criticised the Federal Government for not providing better support for people with disability in the 2022 Budget. People With Disability Australia (PWDA) said the Federal Government has ignored key budget requests that PWDA and other key disability organisations have been advocating for over the last few months. PWDA President Samantha Connor: 'We're very disappointed with the outcome of the 2022 Federal Budget for people with disability. 'This budget is a lean, mean budget for people with disability, their families and carers.'
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25 March
NDIA Board Chair appointment
Minister Reynolds announced the appointment of Dr Denis Napthine AO as Chair of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Board. 'Dr Napthine is an eminently qualified Australian with the passion, commitment, leadership and experience to ensure the NDIS continues to deliver on its promise to people with disability, their families and carers,' Minister Reynolds said. 'As Premier of Victoria in 2013, it was Dr Napthine that reached agreement with the Government to establish the NDIS in his state.'
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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
31 March
Help is at hand Information for those flooded, stranded - My Health Record, Electronic Prescriptions and Telehealth can help
The Australian Digital Health Agency is advising flood affected people about how digital health can help them during current flooding events. Medication Information is available - If you've been affected by the recent floods and can't access your medicines or medication information, if your medicines have been destroyed, electronic prescriptions and telehealth appointments offer a good solution. Telehealth appointments, either phone or video calls, are an excellent alternative to attending in person. Electronic prescriptions can be sent immediately via text message or email.
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30 March
Health technology industry welcomes aged care Budget investments
Australia's digital health industry peak organisation has welcomed the Federal Government's Budget commitments to improving medication safety and access to multidisciplinary care, both of which can be considerably enhanced by digital health technologies. More than $22 million will be contributed towards delivering multidisciplinary outreach services trials that will provide more comprehensive healthcare to people in residential aged care. 'The digital health sector is an inherent part of healthcare and innovations available now can revolutionise the aged care sector,' Medical Software Industry Association (MSIA) President Rob Best said.
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Education and Training
31 March
New resource targets medico-legal drivers of low-value care
New online learning is now available from NPS MedicineWise under the Choosing Wisely Australia initiative. The online module and an upcoming webinar will help support clinicians understanding of legal risks and defensive practice. According to Australian and international research, doctors' fear of legal liability is frequently reported as a driver of 'low value care'. A Choosing Wisely survey in 2018 (summarised in the 2018 Choosing Wisely Annual Report) found that half of general practitioners and over one-third of specialists reported fear of litigation as a driver for ordering unnecessary care. General practitioners report unnecessary test ordering and specialist referrals due to medico-legal concerns.
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Funding
31 March
New hope for Australians affected by pancreatic cancer
The Government is launching a new coordinated approach to tackling pancreatic cancer and has committed $20.3 million to improve outcomes and survival for Australians affected by the disease. 'Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in Australia, and over the last 40 years the number of Australians diagnosed with pancreatic cancer has more than tripled,' Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, said. 'Pancreatic cancer has significantly poorer outcomes than many other cancers and has a devastating impact on the lives of all those affected. 'This is why I invited Cancer Australia to develop the National Pancreatic Cancer Roadmap.'
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2022-23 Budget benefits Indigenous Australians across the board
The Government is taking a holistic approach to improve the life outcomes of Indigenous Australians, with spending across portfolios as part of a whole-of-government commitment to Closing the Gap. Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt, said the 2022-23 Budget has delivered a broad range of Indigenous specific measures across health, education, employment, safety and justice, culture and heritage. 'When we outlined the Priority Reforms of Closing the Gap, we set our expectation for all Commonwealth Departments and Agencies to make progress against each of the 17 socio- economic targets,' Minister Wyatt said.
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VIC: Giving Victorian kids the best mental health support
The Victorian Government will boost mental health and wellbeing support at Victorian schools, ensuring kids have access to a full suite of mental health tools to thrive at school and in life, as a key response to the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System gets underway. Victorian Minister for Education and Mental Health James Merlino invited providers in the student mental health and wellbeing sector to sign-up to deliver their services in Victorian schools, as part of the full Schools Mental Health Fund Menu. The new Menu underpins the Opposition Government's $200 million Schools Mental Health Fund, providing funding for resources and initiatives to better support student mental health.
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30 March
Another big-spending budget short-changes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) has already welcomed the previously announced four-year rolling funding agreement for the sector, but this is just a necessary adjustment to support the current arrangements. 'Business as usual' is not going to close the health gap. NACCHO is tiring of singular announcements in Aboriginal health while the health gap fails to close. Structural reform is required and substantial funding investment. The last three big-spending budgets were the Government's opportunity to address this. They have failed to act.
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2022 Budget deserves an F-
'The 2022-23 Australian Budget is a major disappointment and represents another missed opportunity to invest in Public Health and prevention in multiple ways that would have improved the lives of everyone in Australia,' said the Public Health Association of Australia. 'There are some initiatives, such as $40.7 m over three years for bowel, breast and cervical cancer screening, money for alcohol and drug services, and other Public Health issues like a study on the effects of junk food advertising on children. There's $9.7 million over three years to 'extend community driven initiatives to improve levels of physical activity.'
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29 March
RACGP warns 10 Year Plan remains unfunded
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has warned that this year's budget fails to address the fall-out of the COVID-19 pandemic and the future challenges of a fatigued health system. The budget has not delivered on the planned reforms that would guarantee a stronger future for the nation's primary health system. The college's main concern is that vital components of the Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan remain unfunded. Failure to meaningfully invest in this plan means that the budget did not address the gaps identified by the RACGP and other health groups, including aged care, mental health, disability, and funding to support chronic and complex care.
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Business as usual Budget neglects non-COVID health needs
The claims of record spending on health in the Federal Budget mask a failure to tackle stress in the health system, though continued spending on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic is welcomed said the Australian Medical Association (AMA). With Budget announcements promoting a $7.3 billion increase in Medicare funding and a $9.8 billion increase in hospital funding, the AMA said the amounts did not represent expanded health funding. 'The Medicare and hospital funding in tonight's Budget amounts to little more than usual recurrent spending and planned growth, not the new injection of funds our health system desperately needs,' AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid said. 'Pleased as we are to see tonight's Budget finally acknowledge the Ten-Year Plan for Primary Care, we can see no plan for how its implementation will be funded.'
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Health Professionals
31 March
Dr Katherine Woodthorpe to chart future directions for health and medical research
'Dr Katherine Woodthorpe will lead a Strategic Advisory Committee to develop the nation's strategy for health and medical research for the next two decades - the Vision 2040 Strategy. Supported by a Strategic Advisory Committee, Dr Woodthorpe will set research directions for policy and funding bodies across governments, and the not-for-profit and private sectors,' said Minister Hunt. The Vision 2040 Strategy will provide a holistic perspective that will integrate health and medical research - from theoretical to applied - at a national level to deliver a common vision for the next two decades.
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30 March
Failure to address workforce crisis in aged care
Australia's not-for-profit Catholic aged care providers are disappointed that there is nothing of substance in last night's Budget to address the workforce crisis that is gripping current and future aged care services. Peak advisory body Catholic Health Australia said the failure to address workforce remuneration is a bitter blow to the sector and its workforce which is struggling with fatigue, spiralling living costs, low morale, and a growing shortage of carers and nurses. The $49.5 million aged care training places and clinical placements for nurses in the Budget is, at best, a Band Aid.
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29 March
Record investment in the future health of Australia's health system
The Government is investing in a stronger health system as part of our plan for a stronger future through a record $132 billion in 2022-23, increasing to $140 billion in 2025-26, with a total commitment of $537 billion over the next four years. Minister Hunt and Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services and Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said this record funding will ensure Australians have access to improved healthcare, when and where they need it.
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Budget 2022: Scott Morrison fails to do his job
The lack of sustainable funding and real reform for health and aged care shows that Prime
Minister Scott Morrison has failed to 'do his job' to restore and rebuild Australia's public
health system and the private aged care sector, according to the Australian Nursing and
Midwifery Federation (ANMF).
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Business as usual budget neglects non-covid health needs
The claims of record spending on health in tonight's Federal Budget mask a failure to tackle stress in the health system, though continued spending on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic is welcomed said the AMA. With tonight's Budget announcements promoting a $7.3 billion increase in Medicare funding and a $9.8 billion increase in hospital funding, the AMA said the amounts did not represent expanded health funding.
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Doctors condemn budget waste as health hazard
'The Australian Doctors Reform Society tonight condemns the Federal budget as an enormous waste of money that is a real threat to Australian lives because it doesn't adequately fund Medicare, Aged Care and Hospitals.' said Dr Robert Marr Secretary General of the Australian Doctors Reform Society 'The Morrison governments budget has wasted an estimated $100 million taxpayers dollar cutting the beer tax ,which really is literally like 'pissing taxpayers money against the wall' This wasted $100 million could have employed over 1000 nurses for our hospitals or aged care facilities.' said Dr Marr.
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Hospitals
30 March
NSW: Designs for $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital unveiled
The community has been provided with its first look at designs for the $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital redevelopment showcasing the vision for the state-of-the-art health facility. NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the NSW Government is investing in a significant expansion of Shoalhaven Hospital, which will provide the local community with enhanced health services. 'In a major step forward for the redevelopment, new artist impressions have been unveiled, revealing the design for the hospital precinct.' Mr Hazzard said. NSW Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the redevelopment of Shoalhaven Hospital is about future proofing healthcare in the region.
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29 March
2022 Budget: Australians looking for investment in their health
Over the past two years, the pandemic has disrupted health care. The health and financial impacts of miss diagnosis and treatment on the health system are likely to be long-term, and waiting lists have grown. 'In this budget, resources towards catching up on the high numbers of patient for whom care was delayed Funding as a one-off boost to capacity for breast cancer, cervical screening and colonoscopy triage is one element of delayed care, with nothing further reflected in public hospital funding.' said Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) Acting CEO Kylie Woolcock.
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27 March
Landmark facility to transform cancer treatment and care in the west
The Government will provide $375 million to create a new landmark cancer facility in Perth that will transform care and support for Western Australians, saving thousands of lives. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre would immeasurably change the lives of Western Australians living with cancer and allow them to receive world class treatment in the West. Senator for Western Australian and Attorney-General Michaelia Cash said like so many Western Australians her family had been touched by the loss of someone close to them. Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the cancer facility would be life changing for West Australians and their families.
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26 March
NSW: $341 million tower opens at Concord Hospital
Concord Hospital's state-of-the-art, 214-bed Clinical Services Building is now open, transforming patient care in Sydney's inner west by offering new and expanded services for the community. NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard, NSW Minister for Veterans and Transport David Elliott and NSW Member for Drummoyne John Sidoti celebrated the milestone at a ceremony and met staff and patients on a tour of the new, eight-storey building. 'The NSW Government's $341 million investment in Concord Hospital delivers an extra 111 beds, most of them in single rooms with daybeds for carers, and also provides a new home for the nation's first dedicated National Centre for Veterans' Healthcare,' Mr Hazzard said.
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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
31 March
Boost to mental health support for FIFO and DIDO workers
The Government will provide $6 million to MATES in Construction to boost support in mental health and wellbeing for remote workers in the construction, mining, energy and manufacturing industries. Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said MATES in Construction will work with these industries to drive better mental health and suicide prevention in the Fly In, Fly Out (FIFO) and the Drive In, Drive Out (DIDO) workforce. Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said the program would help reduce the suicide rate, particularly for men who represent 75 per cent of all suicides.
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More support for Australians with eating disorders
Minister Hunt has announced that the Government is investing an additional $24.3 million through the 2022-23 Budget to implement new community-based treatment services and fund existing support and treatment services for Australians with an eating disorder. Eating disorders are among the most complex and deadly of psychiatric illnesses, and the Government recognises the importance of making sure everyone can access evidence-based care when and where they need it most. The number of people in Australia with an eating disorder at any given time is estimated to be around one million, and almost a third (31.6%) of Australian adolescents engage in disordered eating behaviours in any given year
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New national approach to local suicide prevention
The Government is reforming the way suicide prevention activities are undertaken across the country, with $46.7 million in the 2022-23 Budget to strengthen suicide prevention at the local level. For the first time, every region in Australia will have a local leader focused on suicide prevention, ensuring early intervention and suicide prevention activities are better coordinated and right for the local area. Suicide Prevention Response Leaders will work within their community to bring together service providers, local councils, emergency services, schools and community groups. Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said the Government recognises the devastating impact suicide has on individuals, families and communities.
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30 March
VIC: Social and emotional wellbeing funding grants now open
The Victorian Government announced more than $1 million in grants for locally-led social and emotional wellbeing projects in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Craig Crawford said funding would support mental health and suicide prevention projects. 'We know locally-led initiatives are the best way to build positive change in communities,'' Mr Crawford said. 'When we work in partnership with local leaders, we can embrace community strengths and build on their priorities and aspirations. 'Up to five applicants will receive grant funding of up to $235,000 to improve mental health.'
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26 March
Wellbeing support for national security and law enforcement communities
The Government is providing a $1.4 million grant from proceeds of crime to charity organisation Fortem Australia for critical work supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the national security and law enforcement workers who work tirelessly to keep Australians safe. Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews, and Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention David Coleman said the pandemic has had significant impact on frontline personnel, making them more vulnerable. 'The mental wellbeing of our national security and law enforcement communities is of paramount importance.' Minister Andrews said.
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Mental Health Australia calls for a national suicide reduction target of 25 per cent reduction in suicide by 2025
In an effort to focus shared action towards zero suicide deaths, the Chair of Mental Health Australia (MHA), the nation's peak body for the mental health sector, is calling for a 25 per cent suicide reduction target by 2025. Every 2.5 hours an Australian dies by suicide - a staggering nine people per day. Another 1,250 people attempt to take their own life each week, with suicide the leading cause of death for Australians between the ages of 15 and 441.
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System
None this edition.
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Pharmaceuticals and Regulation
31 March
Updates to legislative instruments exempting monographs as standards
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has updated legislative instruments specifying that certain monographs of the United States Pharmacopeia-National Formulary (USP) are not accepted as default standards. These instruments were due to sunset on 1 April 2022, providing TGA with the opportunity to review requirements. The TGA has remade Therapeutic Goods Order No. 90 Standard for human albumin (TGO 90), as the Therapeutic Goods (Standard for Human Albumin) (TGO 111) Order 2022 with no technical amendments.
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30 March
No 'big bang' announcements in Health
Medicines Australia welcomes the Budget announcements for new PBS listings and ongoing COVID-19 measures. Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer, said increased funding and commitments to ongoing health investment will be necessary to ensure faster access to innovative medicines for Australians who need them. 'Medicines Australia will pursue these long term objectives through the Strategic Agreement, signed with the Government last year and through the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Review,' said Ms de Somer. 'The innovative biopharmaceutical industry has been central to Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will be a major contributor to the nation's economic recovery by keeping people healthy and productive in the workplace and in their daily lives.'
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29 March
Budget supports embedding pharmacists in aged care but ignores pay disparities for pharmacists' services
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes funding for embedding pharmacists into aged care but is disappointed that unfair disparities in pharmacist remuneration for key services have been overlooked in this year's Federal Budget. PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, was frustrated that no commitments were made to improving remuneration for pharmacists' services in tonight's Federal Budget.
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Medicines Australia acknowledges Senator Kim Carr's contribution to industry and innovation
Medicines Australia congratulates Senator the Hon Kim Carr on his almost 30 years of service to the Australian Parliament - especially his contributions to industry and innovation - and wishes him well for his future endeavours. Senator Carr has announced he is not seeking re-election as a Senator for Victoria at the upcoming election.
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2022 NIP influenza vaccination program
'Influenza vaccination is particularly important this year,' said the Department of Health. With the easing of international and domestic public health measures arising from the COVID-19 global pandemic, a resurgence of influenza is expected in 2022, with the Australian community potentially more vulnerable to the virus this Winter. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all people aged 6 months and over (unless contraindicated). The National Immunisation Program (NIP) funds influenza vaccines for people most at risk. 2022 influenza vaccines for the NIP will become available from 4 April, subject to local supply arrangements in states and territories.
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27 March
Landmark PBS listing for Australians with cystic fibrosis
Australians with cystic fibrosis will soon have access to a new treatment following the listing of Trikafta on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). From April 1, Trikafta (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor and ivacaftor) will be available on the PBS for the first time for Australians with cystic fibrosis aged 12 years and older, who have at least one F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. F508del is the most common mutation. In Australia, one in 2,500 babies are born with cystic fibrosis and there is currently no cure, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt.
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25 March
Expanded PBS listing for lung disease medication
The Government is helping more Australians access the medications they need with a new addition to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for people with progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease (PF-ILD). PF-ILD refers to a group of lung diseases characterised by the presence of progressive pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs), worsening respiratory symptoms, declining lung function, and early mortality. From 1 May 2022, the PBS listing of Ofev (nintedanib) will be expanded to cover more types of PF-ILD. It's expected this change will benefit an average of 1,400 patients a year across the country helping deliver effective medication to more people who previously would have faced steep prices for access, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt.
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On-site pharmacists to improve medication management in RACFs
The Government will improve medication management and safety for aged care residents by investing $345.7 million for on-site pharmacists and community pharmacy services in government-funded residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, announced the funding at the annual Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference, currently underway on the Gold Coast. Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said the measure would have far-reaching benefits for facilities and their residents.
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Research
31 March
ARPANSA reviews risks of cosmetic procedures
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) experts have published an article in Public Health Research and Practice, a journal of the Sax Institute, that calls for more research into the use of non-ionising radiation for cosmetic purposes. Cosmetic radiation treatments such as laser hair removal and IPL skin rejuvenation are growing in popularity, but consumers are at risk of injuries such as burns, blistering, scarring and eye damage. 'There is currently no national approach to regulation of devices or services that use non- ionising radiation for cosmetic purposes, with the exception of the ban on solariums' said Associate Professor Ken Karipidis, Assistant Director, Assessment and Advice at ARPANSA.
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Blood cancer research supported with $5m grant
A team of blood cancer experts led by the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI)'s Professor Andrew Roberts AM has received the 2021 Fiona Stanley Synergy Grant Award, to advance research into why some blood cancers become resistant to treatment. The Melbourne-based team of nine researchers and clinicians aim to find new ways of preventing or overcoming treatment resistance, to improve outcomes for patients with leukaemias, lymphomas and myeloma. The Fiona Stanley Synergy Grant will provide $5 million in funding over five years for the collaboration.
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30 March
WA: Innovation Seed Fund grants now open for innovators with novel health and medical research solutions
The Government is on the lookout for innovators with novel health and medical related solutions to provide a helping hand to get these to market. The Future Health Research and Innovation Fund is providing support to innovators to develop and commercialise ideas, create high-level health sector jobs and enhance the production/manufacturing capacity in the State. The Innovation Seed Fund will help drive health and medical innovation in Western Australia. 'These funding grants will support local innovators and ensure that the Western Australian community can directly benefit from the result,' said WA Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson.
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28 March
Good neighbours are good for your health
Neighbourhood relationships and social connections protected against loneliness, depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research from The Australian National University (ANU). The findings come from a nationally-representative longitudinal survey of more than 3,000 people, conducted over three waves between May and November 2020. 'People generally are much less likely to report symptoms of depression, anxiety and loneliness if they have positive perceptions of their neighbourhood social environments,' lead author Dr James O'Donnell said. 'Neighbourhood cohesiveness is a really important social glue.'
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Rural, Regional and Remote Health
25 March
RFDS and Government to enter into record 10-year partnership
The Government and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) will enter into a record 10-year strategic partnership, worth nearly $1 billion, to provide more certainty for regional, rural and remote patients who rely on the critical aeromedical service. Minister for Regional Health and former regional doctor, Dr David Gillespie said this historic partnership will provide long-term security to enable this iconic Australian rural and remote service to plan better into the future. 'Until today, agreements between the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Federal Government have been four-year agreements.
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WA: More access to free RATs for WA regional and remote communities
The WA Government will distribute 74,000 free Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) to remote Aboriginal communities across the State during the next phase of the WA Free RAT Program. The supply will ensure remote and regional communities continue to be well-placed to detect COVID-19 with the quick at-home tests. Residents in remote communities will receive 20 RATs per household - above the 15 tests available to households around the State - due to the distance from services and access to postage, said WA Premier Mark McGowan and WA Minister for Health Amber-Jade Sanderson.
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Women's Health
25 March
Record funding to support 800,000 women with endo and new genetic tests available
New specialised endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics will be established in every state and territory to improve diagnosis, care and treatment to support over 800,000 Australian women who have the disease, as part of the Government's funding package. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this significant investment will address the need for more endometriosis awareness, treatment and support. Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt said increasing access to genetic testing would be a welcome relief for many parents and couples planning pregnancy.
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Transcripts
Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham, Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy Jane Hume
31 MAR: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Canberra
Subjects: COVID-19, Unemployment, Cost of living, Fuel excise, Healthcare, Defence, Infrastructure, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Labour shortages
Member for Dunkley Peta Murphy
31 MAR: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Parliament House, Canberra
Subjects: Jobs, Increasing costs of living, Renewable energy, Childcare, Arts and entertainment industry, Healthcare
Shadow Minister for Northern Australia Murray Watt
31 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Kier Shorey, ABC Far North
Subjects: Regional infrastructure funding, Fuel excise, COVID-19, One off payment, Cost of living, Great Barrier Reef, Climate change
Shadow Minister for Education and Women
31 MAR: Transcript Of Interview With Peter Stefanovic, Sky News
Subjects: Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Kimberley Kitching, COVID-19, Childcare, Free Tafe, University, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
30 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Ben Fordham, 2GB
Subjects: NSW floods, Cost of living pressures, Ukraine, Economy, Fuel excise, Income tax relief, Pensioners, Affordable medicines
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
30 MAR: Transcript of Q&A at Address to National Press Club
Subjects: Budget 2022-23, Spending in government services, Hospitals and aged care, NDIS, Petrol excise cut, Cost of living offset, LMITO, Debt & deficit
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
30 MAR: Transcript of address to national press club
Subjects: Healthcare, covid-19, vaccination, unemployment, education, medicare, cost of living, skills training, regional investment, national security
Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham
30 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Paul Allen, Bloomberg
Subjects: Unemployment, COVID-19, Iron ore exports, Deficits, AAA credit rating, Fuel excise, Inflation, COVID-19, Cyber-security, National security, China
Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham
30 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Richard King, 2HD
Subjects: Economic growth, COVID-19, Ukraine, Cost of living, Fuel excise, Tax offset, Unemployment, Inflation, Wages, Income tax cuts
Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham
30 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Mike O'Loughlin, Tasmania Talks
Subjects: Unemployment, Skills training, Deficits, Fuel excise, COVID-19, Tax offset, JobSeeker, Infrastructure, Medicare, Education, WA, Housing
Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham
30 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Sylvia Jeffreys and David Campbell, Today Show
Subjects: Cost of living, Fuel excise, One off payments, COVID-19, Russia, Ukraine, Infrastructure, Inflation, Wage rises
Attorney-General Michaelia Cash
30 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Liam Bartlett, 6PR Mornings
Subjects: Federal Budget, Ukraine, Cost of living, Petrol excise, Unemployment, Wages, JobKeeper, COVID-19
Minister for Health Greg Hunt
28 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Ray Hadley, 2GB The Ray Hadley Morning Show
Subjects: Cystic fibrosis, Trikafta, PBS, Health, Social services, Minister for Health retirement, Fatherhood, Mental health, Rate of vaccination
Department of Health
28 MAR: Transcript of COVID-19 Taskforce Commander, Lieutenant-General John Frewen's Interview with Allison Langdon & Karl Stefanovic
Subjects: Vaccination, Boosters, Fourth booster, Residential aged & disability care facilities
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Attorney General Michaelia Cash
27 MAR: Transcript of Press Conference, Nedlands, WA
Subjects: Cancer Centre funding, Health, Infrastructure, Cyclones, Investments, Economy, Defence and security funding, Elective surgery issues
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
27 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Erin Molan, Sky News
Subjects: Cost of living, Australian families, Ukraine, Floods, National security, Health, Unemployment rates, Petrol prices, Food prices, Childcare
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and Minister for Communication, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher
26 MAR: Transcript of Press Conference, Gordon
Subjects: Suicide, Lifeline, National Suicide Prevention Adviser, National Mental Health & Suicide Plan, Mental health, Volunteers, Budget, Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
25 MAR: Transcript of Address, Orygen Parkville
Subjects: Veterans, Mental health issues, Mental health and suicide prevention workers, National Suicide Prevention Adviser, Eating disorder, COVID, Different groups
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
25 MAR: Transcript of Press Conference, Randwick, NSW
Subjects: Endometriosis, Genetic testing, Genetic diseases, Endometriosis Management Plan, Scientific trials, Mackenzie's Mission, Funding for medical research, QENDO
Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt
25 MAR: Transcript of Press Conference, Gold Coast
Subjects: ATAGI advice, Booster doses, National immunisation program, Ofev, PBS listings, COVID-19, Vaccinations, RAT tests, Biosecurity emergency determination, Isolation rules, Travel
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Reports
Budget Paper No. 2 - Budget Measures
Treasury
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Women's Budget Statement 2022-23
Minister for Women Marise Payne, Minister for Women's Security Anne Ruston, Minister for Women's Economic Security
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Regional Ministerial Budget Statement 2022-23: A secure future for regional Australia
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Barnaby Joyce
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Building Australia and strengthening our regions
Treasury
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Guaranteeing the essential services
Treasury
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Keeping Australians safe
Treasury
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Portfolio Budget Statements 2022-23 - Budget Related Paper No. 1.7 - Health Portfolio
Treasury
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Services, support and life outcomes for autistic Australians - Report
Senate Select Committee on Autism
The evidence provided over the course of this inquiry provides a compelling case for change. Autistic Australians and their families are often discriminated against and have difficulty accessing the services and supports that they need. Maintaining the status quo is simply not an option. At the centre of the committee's proposed reform pathway is a National Autism Strategy. This strategy would coordinate efforts to improve life outcomes for autistic people and have clear and measurable goals by which progress could be tracked.
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Health consumer voices more important now than ever
Consumer Health Forum of Australia (CHF)
Australia's largest consumer survey of healthcare finds confidence in services has increased but gaps remain in affordability and accessibility for disadvantaged groups and people with chronic conditions. The Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) and research partners have released the findings of the latest Health Consumer Sentiment Survey, The Voice of Australian Health Consumers, which is the largest health study in Australia based on the general population. The study provides a national snapshot of health service access, satisfaction and experiences of consumers.
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Primary aldosteronism: Early screening by GPs
Medical Journal of Australia
People with primary aldosteronism have poorer cardiovascular outcomes than people with essential hypertension matched for blood pressure, prompting a call for screening for the condition in general practice from the authors of research published by the Medical Journal of Australia. Primary aldosteronism (PA) is caused by overproduction by the adrenal glands of the hormone aldosterone that controls sodium and potassium levels in the blood. 'Only a minority of patients with PA receive targeted treatment, chiefly because the condition is often not recognised and diagnosed,' wrote Dr Renata Libianto.
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Australian Public Assessment Report for Influenza virus haemagglutinin
Therapeutic Goods Association, via Department of Health
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Hospital system shows cracks under weight of demand and under-funding- AMA 2022 public hospital report card reveals continued decline in performance
Australian Medical Association (AMA)
A 28-year slide in hospital beds relative to Australia's ageing population and one in three people waiting more than the recommended 30 minutes to commence treatment for urgent Emergency Department (ED) care highlights the pressing need for a recovery plan for Australia's failing public hospital system. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) 2022 Public Hospital Report Card shows that since 2008 Australia has lost six public hospital beds for every 1000 people aged over 65 years.
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Response to the COVID-19 pandemic - Protecting Australia with COVID-19 vaccines
Department of Health
The Australian Government is providing an additional investment of more than $900 million to keep Australians safe from COVID-19 by ensuring access to safe and effective vaccines for eligible populations until the end of 2022. More than 56 million doses have been administered around Australia, making it one of the most vaccinated nations in the world. Over 19.5 million (around 95%) Australians aged 16 years and over are now fully vaccinated, and more than 12.7 million people aged 16 years and over have had a third or booster dose.
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Response to the COVID-19 pandemic - Protecting senior Australians in aged care
Department of Health
The Australian Government is investing a further $458.2 million to protect senior Australians from COVID-19, including those in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) and those receiving care in their own homes. This includes $124.9 million in the Aged Care Preparedness Measure to assist residential aged care providers to meet the costs of responding to and supporting residents through COVID-19 outbreaks in facilities and those directly impacted by floods. This will extend the Aged Care Support Extension Program grant until 31 December 2022.
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Response to the COVID-19 pandemic - Investing in effective treatments
Department of Health
The Australian Government is investing in pandemic treatments to ensure Australians can access effective and proven medical treatments for COVID-19 to prevent and reduce the worst effects of the disease and speed their recovery. A range of medicines have been approved for use in Australia for treating people with differing severity of COVID-19 disease, and for the prevention of COVID-19. The Australian Government has invested in significant courses of these medications, many of which have been added to the National Medical Stockpile (NMS) for distribution to states and territories in response to outbreaks of COVID-19.
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Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic - Health response extension
Department of Health
The Australian Government is ensuring Australia's health system continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic with an investment of more than $4.2 billion over four years. This includes continuing the COVID-19 vaccine program that is helping protect millions of Australians from the worst impacts of the virus and supports re-opening in line with the National Plan to Transition Australia's National COVID-19 Response. The emergence of the Omicron variant in late-2021 required a rapid response and the Government recognises that future variants of concern are an ongoing risk.
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Measuring Australia's excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic - Provisional Mortality Statistics, Jan 2020
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
- In 2021 Australia had higher than expected mortality, but only a small number of weeks recorded deaths that reached statistical significance.
- Victoria had the highest number of statistically significant excess deaths.
- Deaths due to respiratory diseases remained lower than expected in 2021.
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Response to the COVID-19 pandemic - Securing access to rapid antigen tests (RATs)
Department Of Health
The Australian Government is investing more than $1.6 billion to ensure equitable access to rapid antigen tests (RATs) to help detect COVID-19 and provide reassurance to Australians and their families as Australia continues to live with COVID. The community spread of COVID-19, particularly the Omicron variant, and the easing of many pandemic-related restrictions has increased the need for RATs. This investment supports a number of measures.
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How the 2022-23 Budget is investing in the Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan
Department of Health
This Budget delivers the Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan along with an investment in the 2022-23 Budget of $632.8 million over four years from 2022-23. Since work began on the Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan and our intent to provide $448 million towards it, the Australian Government has implemented $1.1 billion in primary care measures, placing the total value of investment in primary care reforms to date at $1.7 billion. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the department has also committed nearly $4 billion to the COVID-19 primary care response, to keep Australians and primary care providers safe during this unprecedented global pandemic.
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How the 2022-23 Budget is investing in health
Department of Health
The Australian Government is investing $4.2 billion in health measures to assist the transition into a living with COVID environment, resuming important health initiatives, and enhancing how the department accesses and delivers health care. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australia has been mitigated by necessary public health measures, international travel restrictions and quarantining, and the very high rates of vaccination. The focus of Australians and Australia's health system on addressing the pandemic has meant delays in addressing other health concerns.
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Federal Health Budget - Steady as she goes, not transformational
Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF)
The Consumers Health Forum welcomes the health budget as a solid budget which continues to invest in health care for Australians. The highlights for health consumers include targeted cost of living measures to make medicines more affordable, significant investments in mental health services, and permanency of Medicare subsidised telehealth. The Voice of Australian Health Consumers Report, released by CHF and academic collaborators, starkly reveal that one quarter of people surveyed said that they did not fill a prescription or omitted medicines and a third said this was because of cost. 24 percent reported serious levels of mental distress.
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How the 2022-23 Budget is investing in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment
Department of Health
The Australian Government is investing $893.5 million in services that will improve the health outcomes and survival rates of Australians from a range of life-threatening cancers, by building state-of-the-art cancer treatment centres and ensuring Australians catch up on testing, screening and treatment of cancers impacted through the COVID-19 pandemic. Early detection and intervention is a critical step in improving cancer survival rates, enabling earlier, more effective and less invasive treatments, and reducing long term costs on the health system.
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How the 2022-23 Budget is investing in the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Department of Health
The Australian Government is investing $133.5 million in the 2022-23 Federal Budget to prioritise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and ageing outcomes. This investment builds on over $1 billion of recent investment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and ageing, which includes significant funding for improved aged care, mental health services, as well as infrastructure for Aboriginal Community Controlled health services (ACCHS).
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How the 2022-23 Budget is building upon the Stronger Rural Health Strategy
Department of Health
The Australian Government is investing $296.5 million in regional, rural and remote health in 2022-23, to ensure all Australians benefit from quality health services no matter where they live. The health and wellbeing of Australians living in regional, rural, remote and very remote Australia is a priority for the Australian Government. The 2022-23 Budget includes rural health spending in these areas improved Access to Diagnostic Imaging - $66 million; Increased opportunities for rural health and medical training - $152.5 million; Aeromedical and health outreach services - $56.8 million; Appointment of a Senior Midwifery Advisor - $1.2 million.
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National Opioid Pharmacotherapy statistics annual data collection
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
On a snapshot day in 2021, 47,563 clients received pharmacotherapy treatment for their opioid dependence across Australia (excluding data for Queensland). There were 2,485 dosing points and 2,673 authorised prescribers of opioid pharmacotherapy drugs nationally. Data for Queensland for the NOPSAD 2021 collection were not available at the time of publication. Caution should therefore be taken when comparing 2021 data with previous years as these include data for Queensland.
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How the 2022-23 Budget is investing in digital health
Department Of Health
The Australian Government is investing $107.2 million to modernise the health care system, to deliver Australia's Long Term National Health Plan. This investment will deliver innovative new methods to provide care, and continue the momentum for embracing new technologies achieved during the COVID-19 pandemic. Connecting Australians with health services, including GPs, nurses, specialists, midwives, allied health and mental health, has been critical in protecting patients and doctors from the risk of COVID-19 infection. It has also removed one of the biggest barriers to accessing health care for millions of Australians - distance. Through telehealth, a health professional can be available online or over the phone.
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How the 2022-23 Budget is investing in the health of women and girls
Department Of Health
The Australian Government is investing more than $333 million to strengthen health services and support available to women and girls, through a range of new and continuing initiatives, including a focus on endometriosis, cancer screening, prevention and maternal, sexual and reproductive health, and women's safety. These initiatives align with the priorities of the National Women's Health Strategy 2020-2030, and are part of the Australian Government's commitment to addressing the health issues that most affect women and girls throughout their lives.
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Workforce - Growing and upskilling the workforce to improve care for senior Australians
Department of Health
The Australian Government has implemented the first year of an $18.8 billion, five year aged care reform program. Senior Australians need a skilled, diverse and compassionate care and support workforce. Growing the aged care workforce is fundamental to the Australian Government's aged care reforms. As part of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety response, the Australian Government committed $652.1 million to workforce aged care reforms. The 2022-23 Budget further invests $402.2 million in this area, with the total aged care commitment growing to over $129.9 billion over the next four years.
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Federal Budget 2022-23 - Health priorities of Australia
Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF)
From the consumers' health perspective, it's a solid Health Budget with additional expenditure of $34 billion over four years. Despite this there are many gaps. This is spread across the portfolio without a cohesive narrative. It is a reactive Budget rather than being one that sets the agenda. Much of the expenditure is for very specific programs and projects so does not encourage innovative approaches. There is nothing groundbreaking and nothing transformational.
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Guidance on quality requirements for medicinal cannabis products
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Unapproved medicinal cannabis products imported into and supplied/manufactured in Australia must conform with Therapeutic Goods (Standard for Medicinal Cannabis) (TGO 93) Order 2017 (TGO 93). TGO 93 is a standard that specifies minimum quality requirements for medicinal cannabis products. This guidance is for manufacturers and sponsors, to assist in ensuring medicinal cannabis products conform with TGO 93.
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1 April 2022 Price Reductions - PBS savings for patients
Department of Health, Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
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Interim report - Childhood rheumatic diseases - Inflammatory, autoimmune conditions
Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport
On Thursday 31 March 2022, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport will table its interim report into childhood rheumatic diseases. Childhood rheumatic diseases are inflammatory, autoimmune conditions affecting the joints, eyes and sometimes skin, muscles and internal organs. Children diagnosed with these diseases disproportionately suffer negative health, social, educational and economic health impacts well into adulthood, and are sometimes permanently disabled.
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TGA Half-yearly Performance Snapshot
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
The TGA prepares and publishes an annual Business Plan which identifies the priority activities to be undertaken over the course of each financial year. This Half Yearly Performance Snapshot provides statistical information for the period 1 July to 31 December 2021 in relation to regulation of therapeutic goods and tracking progress against some of the priorities the department has identified for the year. This data will be incorporated into Annual Performance Statistics Report for the 2021-22 financial year.
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General Issues - Work of the Committee in the 46th Parliament
Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme
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Current scheme implementation and forecasting for the NDIS
Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme
The Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (the committee) was established by resolution of the House of Representatives on 4 July 20191 and Senate on 22 July 2019.2 The committee is composed of five members and five senators, and is tasked with reviewing:
(a) The implementation, performance and governance of the NDIS;
(b) The administration and expenditure of the NDIS; and
(c) Such other matters in relation to the NDIS as may be referred to it by either House of Parliament.
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Disability sector calls for pre-election commitments to improve disability emergency & disaster support
People With Disability Australia (PWDA)
A coalition of 40 leading disability rights and advocacy organisations has endorsed a pre-election open letter to politicians across the country demanding a new approach and more resources for improving disaster and emergency responses for people with disability. In the wake of two years of rolling calamities, the letter outlines a series of key outcomes being sought by the disability sector to develop planning, programs and services that will better prioritise the needs of people with disability during floods, bushfires, cyclones, droughts and pandemics.
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Annual Report 2020-21
QLD, Commissioner For Resources Safety and Health
This has been a successful year with a significant volume of work completed to implement the administrative undertakings associated with the establishment of an independent, impartial and accountable office to fulfil the functions of the new Commissioner role. This ensured that the commissioner was able to provide timely high-level advice to the Minister on a range of topics related to safety and health in the resources industry.
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Hansards
Federal
31 MAR 2022: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Federal Budget, Health
31 MAR 2022: REPS HANSARD: Statements - Dunkley Electorate - Health Care
31 MAR 2022: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - COVID-19 - Vaccination
31 MAR 2022: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Constituency Statements - Bass Electorate - Health Care - Domestic and Family Violence - Small Business
31 MAR 2022: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - COVID-19 - International Travel
31 MAR 2022: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Responses - COVID-19 - Vaccination
31 MAR 2022: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Responses - COVID-19 - Biosecurity
31 MAR 2022: REPS HANSARD: Committees - Health, Aged Care and Sport Committee - Report
31 MAR 2022: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Responses - COVID-19
31 MAR 2022: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Responses - COVID-19: Income Support Payments
31 MAR 2022: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Responses - Private Health Insurance
31 MAR 2022: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Responses - COVID-19 - International Travel
31 MAR 2022: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Dental Health
31 MAR 2022: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Responses - Health Care
31 MAR 2022: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Responses - Mental Health
31 MAR 2022: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Responses - COVID-19 - Migration
31 MAR 2022: REPS HANSARD: Statement by the Speaker - COVID-19
31 MAR 2022: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - COVID-19 - Migration
30 MAR 2022: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Constituency Statements - Moore Electorate: Health Care - Moore Electorate: Higher Education
30 MAR 2022: REPS HANSARD: Statements by Members - Shortland Electorate: Health
30 MAR 2022: SENATE HANSARD: Bills - Electoral Legislation Amendment (COVID Enfranchisement) Bill 2022 - Returned from the House of Representatives
29 MAR 2022: REPS NOTICE PAPER: Questions In Writing - 0732 Mr Katter: Prime Minister - Is Prime Minister aware of role nutrition can play in saving Australian health care costs through preventative access to an accredited practising dietitian
Australian Capital Territory
23 MAR 2022: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Ministerial Statement - Health - Eating Disorders Services
23 MAR 2022: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Ministerial Statement - Mental Health - ACT Mental Health Strategy
23 MAR 2022: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Canberra Hospital - Intensive Care Unit
23 MAR 2022: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Adjournment - Health - Autoimmune Disorders
23 MAR 2022: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Adjournment - ACT Health - COVID-19 Data - Correction
23 MAR 2022: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - ACT Health - COVID-19 Data
23 MAR 2022: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - ACT Health - Chief Health Officer
23 MAR 2022: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - ACT Health - Chief Health Officer
Northern Territory
31 MAR 2022: NT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Motion - Note Statement - Ministerial Policy Statement on COVID-19
30 MAR 2022: NT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Question Time - Health Investments
30 MAR 2022: NT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Motion - Government Response to COVID-19
Queensland
31 MAR 2022: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Federal Budget, Health
31 MAR 2022: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Bills - Public Health and Other Legislation (Extension Of Expiring Provisions) Amendment Bill - Second Reading, Consideration in Detail, Third Reading, Long Title
31 MAR 2022: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Health System
31 MAR 2022: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Committees - Mental Health Select Committee - Resignation of Member
30 MAR 2022: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Federal Budget, Health
29 MAR 2022: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Adjournment - Health System
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Court Cases
None this edition.
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New Regulations
Federal
Commonwealth Electoral (COVID Enfranchisement) Regulations 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00463
The Regulations enable contingency arrangements to be put in place, should they be required, to assist the Australian Electoral Commission to conduct safe, efficient and timely elections within a COVID-19 operating environment, and support the ongoing resilience of Australia's democracy. The Commonwealth Electoral (COVID Enfranchisement) Regulations 2022 (the Regulations) support coronavirus affected individuals in exercising their franchise by providing an alternative for in-person voting for certain electors who have received a notice to self-isolate or quarantine in the final 72 hours before polling day due to testing positive for COVID-19.
Explanatory Statement
Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Rules (No. 4) 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00462
The Amendment Rules make consequential amendments to the Benefit Requirements Rules to implement changes to the private health insurance procedure type classification of items of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) to reflect the introduction, from 1 April 2022, of two new items for:
- testing of tumour prostate tissue to detect BRCA1/2 pathogenic gene variants in people with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer to help determine eligibility for PBS Olaparib (73304); and
- a temporary substitute positron emissiontomography (PET) item for use during thallium-201 supply shortage (61644).
Explanatory Statement
Health Insurance (Section 3C Diagnostic Imaging - Additional Nuclear Medicine Services) Determination 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00461
The purpose of the Health Insurance (Section 3C Diagnostic Imaging - Additional Nuclear Medicine Services) Determination 2022 (the Determination) is to allow patients continued access to nuclear medicine services in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) during a shortage in the supply of imported radioisotope, thallium-201 (Tl-201). The Determination introduces new temporary nuclear medicine item 61644 for cardiac investigation to assess the extent and severity of non-viable myocardium, and therefore patient suitability for cardiac surgery. The service uses positron emission tomography (PET) equipment and an alternative radiopharmaceutical (fluorodeoxyglucose, or FDG).
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Originator Brand) Amendment Determination 2022 (No. 2)
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00460
This legislative instrument amends the National Health (Originator Brand) Determination 2015 (PB 100 of 2015) (the Principal Instrument) to determine originator brands of pharmaceutical items for two drugs new to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) F2 formulary. This change is taking place on 1 April 2022. The Principal Instrument determines originator brands of pharmaceutical items that have a drug on the F2 formulary.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Price and Special Patient Contribution) Amendment Determination 2022 (No. 3)
Legislative Instrument- F2022L00459
The Act provides for the Minister and the responsible person to agree a price that is taken to be the appropriate maximum price of a brand of a pharmaceutical item for the purposes of Part VII of the Act (section 85AD). Section 85B of the Act applies if the Minister and the responsible person have been unable to reach an agreement on a price for the pricing quantity. Whether or not an agreement is made for the pricing quantity, section 85B also applies if the responsible person is dissatisfied with the proportional ex-manufacturer prices that will apply to other pack quantities.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Listed Drugs on F1 or F2) Amendment Determination 2022 (No. 3)
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00458
This instrument makes amendments to the Principal Determination. The Act provides that PBS listed drugs may be assigned to formularies identified as F1 and F2. F1 is intended for single branded drugs and F2 for drugs that have multiple brands, or are in a therapeutic group with other drugs with multiple brands. Drugs on F2 are subject to the provisions of the Act relating to price disclosure and guarantee of supply. Section 84AC of the Act provides that a drug is on F1 or F2 if there is a determination in force under section 85AB that the drug is on F1 or F2.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy) Special Arrangement Amendment Instrument 2022 (No. 3)
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00457
The purpose of this Instrument, made under subsection 100(2) of the Act, is to amend the National Health (Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy) Special Arrangement 2011 (PB 79 of 2011) (the Special Arrangement) to make changes relating to the Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy. The Special Arrangement achieves greater efficiency in payment for the supply of injected or infused chemotherapy medicines ('chemotherapy pharmaceutical benefits') to eligible patients being treated for cancer, to reflect the 2010 Budget measure titled 'Revised arrangements for the efficient funding of chemotherapy drugs'.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Highly Specialised Drugs Program) Special Arrangement Amendment (April Update) Instrument 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00456
This is the National Health (Highly Specialised Drugs Program) Special Arrangement Amendment (April Update) Instrument 2022 (PB 27 of 2022) (this Instrument). The purpose of this Instrument, made under subsection 100(2) of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act), is to amend the National Health (Highly Specialised Drugs Program) Special Arrangement 2021 (PB 27 of 2021) (the Special Arrangement), to make changes to the Special Arrangement relating to the Highly Specialised Drugs (HSD) Program. The amendments made by this Instrument reflect amendments to the National Health (Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Instrument 2012 (PB 71 of 2012), which commence on the same day.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Pharmaceutical benefits - early supply) Amendment Instrument 2022 (No. 3)
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00455
he purpose of this legislative instrument, made under subsection 84AAA(2) of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act) is to amend the National Health (Pharmaceutical benefits-early supply) Instrument 2015 (PB 120 of 2015) (the Principal Instrument). PB 120 of 2015 specifies the pharmaceutical items that are in pharmaceutical benefits for which Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) safety net entitlements will not apply for early supplies, and to specify the period following previous supply. The amendments made by this Instrument reflect amendments to the National Health (Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Instrument 2012 (PB 71 of 2012), which commence on the same day.
Explanatory Statement
Health Insurance (General Practice Attendance for Assessing Patient Suitability for COVID-19 Vaccine) Amendment (Definition of Booster Dose) Determination 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00452
The purpose of the Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - General Practice Attendance for Assessing Patient Suitability for a COVID-19 Vaccine) Amendment (Definition of Booster Dose) Determination 2022 (the Amendment Determination) is to amend the Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - General Practice Attendance for Assessing Patient Suitability for a COVID-19 Vaccine) Determination 2021 to amend the definition of booster dose and insert a definition for primary dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Explanatory Statement
Health Insurance (Section 3C Co-Dependent Pathology Services) Amendment Determination (No. 2) 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00451
The purpose of the Health Insurance (Section 3C Co-Dependent Pathology Services) Amendment Determination (No. 2) 2022 (the Amendment Determination) is to introduce two new items for BRCA1 and BRCA2 somatic or germline testing for people living with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer for the purposes of accessing the chemotherapy drug olaprib under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). At its November 2021 meeting, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) supported the listing of olaprib for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 pathogenic gene variants
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Commonwealth Price and Conditions for Commonwealth Payments for Supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Amendment Determination 2022 (No. 1)
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00450
The purpose of this legislative instrument, made under section 98C(1) of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act), is to amend the National Health (Commonwealth Price and Conditions for Commonwealth Payments for Supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Determination 2019 (the Principal Determination) to make changes to the pharmaceutical benefits and ingredients in relation to which particular rules apply for ascertaining the Commonwealth price payable to an approved medical practitioner or an approved pharmacist for supply, and to make changes to the list of pharmaceutical benefits that must be supplied in complete packs.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Continued Dispensing - Emergency Measures) Amendment Determination 2022 (No. 3)
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00447
The purpose of this legislative instrument, made under subsection 89A(3) of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act), is to amend the National Health (Continued Dispensing - Emergency Measures) Determination 2020 to make changes to the pharmaceutical benefits eligible to be provided as a Continued Dispensing supply. The National Health (Continued Dispensing - Emergency Measures) Determination 2020 (the Principal Instrument) expands the list of pharmaceutical benefits that can be supplied by an approved pharmacist under Part VII of the Act without a prescription, and provides the conditions for such a supply (a 'Continued Dispensing' supply).
Explanatory Statement
Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - Telehealth and Telephone Attendances) Amendment Determination (No. 1) 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00446
The purpose of the Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services -
Telehealth and Telephone Attendances) Amendment Determination (No. 1) 2022 (the Amendment Determination) is to make an administrative amendment to the Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - Telehealth and Telephone Attendances) Determination 2021 to reduce the fee for item 91792 so the benefit paid for the service is as it should have been from March 2022.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits - Under Co-payment Data and Claims for Payment) Rules 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00436
The National Health (Supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits-Under Co-payment Data and Claims for Payment) Rules 2022 (Rules) relate to the supply of pharmaceutical benefits and (i) the transmission of claims data and (ii) transmission of data for medicines priced at or below the patient co-payment threshold. In the 2018-19 Budget, it was announced that prescribers and their patients would be provided with the option to use an electronic prescription or electronic medication chart as an alternative to a paper-based prescription.
Explanatory Statement
Biosecurity (Exit Requirements) Repeal Determination 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00433
The Biosecurity (Exit Requirements) Repeal Determination 2022(the Repeal Determination) repeals the Biosecurity (Exit Requirements) Determination 2020 (the Determination). The Determination was made under s45(2) of the Biosecurity Act 2015. The repeal of the Determination removes requirements for individuals exiting Australian territory from six international airports and traveling to ten specified Pacific Island countries to undergo a health screening for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. It provided a means of protecting the public health in Australia's neighbouring Pacific Island Countries and Timor-Leste through the prescription of certain screening requirements for individuals leaving Australian territory, in order to prevent COVID-19 from spreading to those neighbouring countries.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (COVID-19 Supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Special Arrangement Amendment (Extension for Receipt Requirements and Hospital Supplies) Instrument 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00432
The National Health (COVID-19 Supply ofPharmaceutical Benefits) Special Arrangement 2020 Amendment (Extension for receipt Requirements and Hospital Supplies) Instrument 2022 (the Amendment Instrument) amends the National Health (COVID-19 Supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Special Arrangement 2020 (the Special Arrangement). The Amendment Instrument extends the repeal date of the Special Arrangement by 12 months, so it is repealed at the start of 1 April 2023.
Explanatory Statement
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Proclamations
None this edition.
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Gazette Notices
New South Wales
25 MAR 2022: NSW GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. 126: Government Notices - Health and Education
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Consolidated Legislation
Aged Care (Subsidy, Fees and Payments) Determination 2014
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00342
Determinations/Aged Care as amended, taking into account amendments up to Aged Care (Subsidy, Fees and Payments) Amendment (March Indexation) Determination 2022.
Download
Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1990
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00339
SR 1990 No. 394 Regulations as amended, taking into account amendments up to Therapeutic Goods Legislation Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2022
Download
Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations 2021
Act Compilation - F2022C00338
Regulations as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (2021 Measures No. 4) Regulations 2021
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New Bills
Federal
Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response No. 2) Bill 2021 - Senate 2R debate 30/3, Senate passed with amendments 30/3
Mitochondrial Donation Law Reform (Maeve's Law) Bill 2021 - Senate 2R debate 30/3, Senate passed 30/3, Awaiting Assent
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Participant Service Guarantee and Other Measures) Bill 2021- Reps 2R debate 30/3, Reps passed with amendments 30/3, Senate intro 30/3, Senate 2R debate 30/3, Senate passed 30/3, Awaiting Assent
New South Wales
Home Building Amendment (Medical Gas Licensing) Bill 2022 - LA 2R debate 30/3, LA passed 30/3, LC intro 30/3
Public Health Amendment (Registered Nurses in Nursing Homes) Bill 2020 - LC 2R debate 30/3
Northern Territory
Surrogacy Bill 2022 - LA intro 31/3, LA 2R 31/3
Queensland
Public Health and Other Legislation (Extension of Expiring Provisions) Amendment Bill 2022 - LA 2R debate 29/3, LA 2R debate 30/3, LA 2R debate 31/3, LA passed 31/3, Awaiting Assent
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New Acts
None this edition.
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