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)

05 May

NT: NT COVID-19 update
There were 451 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the Northern Territory in the 24 hours to 8pm on 4 May 2022, according to NT Health. Of these, 389 were positive cases from a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). There were 293 cases recorded in the Top End region, 57 Central Australia, 14 in East Arnhem, 21 in the Big Rivers region, 8 in the Barkly region and 58 are under investigation. There are currently 38 patients in hospital. There are 7 patients requiring oxygen and one patient in ICU. The number of active cases in the NT is 2,409.
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WA: COVID-19 update 5 May 2022
WA Health is reporting a total of 10,182 new cases. There are = 46,664 active cases in Western Australia. There were 271 people with COVID-19 in hospital, 9 in ICU. Sadly, this report includes 6 deaths dating back to 28th of March, reported to WA Health; three women in their 90s, a man in his 90s, a woman in her 80s and a man in his 80s. Due to patient confidentiality, no further information will be released by the Department. Of the 10,182 cases, 4,113 were confirmed via PCR test, the remaining 6,069 were self- reported positive rapid antigen tests.
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04 May

NT: COVID-19 update
NT Health announced that there were 399 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the Northern Territory in the 24 hours to 8pm on 3 May 2022. Of these, 368 were positive cases from a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). There were 252 cases recorded in the Top End region, 62 Central Australia, 13 in East Arnhem, 28 in the Big Rivers region, 12 in the Barkly region and 32 are under investigation. There are currently 37 patients in hospital. There are eight patients requiring oxygen and one patient in ICU. The number of active cases in the NT is 2,496.
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TAS: Coronavirus Update
'Tasmania has recorded 1,078 new cases, with 1,181 people recovered and released from isolation in that time. The total number of active cases currently stands at 6,216 and we now have more than 133,000 Tasmanians who have recovered from COVID-19. There are currently 50 people in hospital with COVID and of these, 24 are being treated specifically for COVID. There are currently two people being cared for in the ICU. Sadly, I can confirm that a man in his 70s has passed away at the Royal Hobart Hospital.' said TAS Premier Jeremy Rockliff
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03 May

SA: COVID-19 update
There have been 3,215 new cases of COVID-19 reported in South Australia. There are currently 24,044 active cases in South Australia. Sadly, SA Health can confirm a woman in her 90s and two men in their 80s, who tested positive for COVID-19, have passed away. There are 228 people with COVID-19 in hospital, including 17 people in ICU, with two people requiring a ventilator. Of those hospitalised, 167 people are fully vaccinated, 54 people are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, and seven have an unknown vaccination status. Due to a reconfiguration of the data, the total number of cases has been readjusted.
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02 May

Australian community urged to get vaccinated against influenza: Update from the Acting CMO Dr Sonya Bennett
A joint statement from the Acting Australian Government Chief Medical Officer, Dr Sonya Bennett, and the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Professor Alison McMillan, regarding the importance of flu vaccinations this winter. With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, this year's winter season will likely see both an increase in transmission of the coronavirus and, for the first time since 2019, a resurgence in influenza. Given this, it is important that people, particularly those in at-risk population groups, maximise their protection against both viruses by being vaccinated - and continue to practise all of the safe hygiene measures Australia has become accustomed to throughout the pandemic.
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NT: COVID-19 update: 02 May 2022
There were 248 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the NT in the 24 hours to 8pm on 1 May 2022. Of these, 206 were positive cases from a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), announced the NT Department of Health. There were 157 cases recorded in the Top End region, 40 Central Australia, nine in East Arnhem, 12 in the Big Rivers region, two in the Barkly region and 28 are under investigation. There are currently 44 patients in hospital. There are two patients requiring oxygen and one patient in ICU. The number of active cases in the NT is 2,702.
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TAS: Coronavirus Update
Tasmania has recorded 900 new cases, with 911 people recovered and released from isolation in that time. The total number of active cases currently stands at 6,261 and there are now more than 131,000 Tasmanians who have recovered from COVID-19. There are currently 46 people in hospital with COVID and of these, 21 are being treated specifically for COVID. There are currently three people being cared for in the ICU. Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff confirmed that three Tasmanians have passed away with COVID-19 over the weekend. These persons, whose deaths were caused or contributed to by COVID-19, were two men and one woman, aged in their 40s, 50s and 70s, one each day since Friday.
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TAS: Free rapid antigen tests available for close contacts
Tasmanians can register for a free PCR or rapid antigen test (RAT) test if they have any COVID-19 symptoms, are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or are directed to by Public Health, said Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff. If you have been classed as a close contact of a positive COVID case, you can collect the necessary number of RATs for the 7-day period for free from state-run distribution centres by completing a RAT request form on the coronavirus website or by calling the Public Health Hotline. Those unable to access one of these established collection points may be able to have them delivered to their home instead.
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WA: More free Rapid Antigen Tests available for close contacts
To support Western Australians impacted by ongoing measures for close contacts with no symptoms, thousands of free RATs will be available for collection at the Claremont, Midland, Armadale, Kwinana, Joondalup, Mirrabooka, Ellenbrook, Mandurah and Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre vaccination clinics, said Premier Mark McGowan. They will also be available for collection at State-run regional COVID testing clinics, including those co-located at Albany Health Campus, Hedland Health Campus, Broome Hospital, Geraldton Hospital, Kalgoorlie Hospital and Narrogin Hospital, said Minister for Health Amber-Jade Sanderson.
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WA: COVID-19 update 2 May 2022
WA Health is reporting a total of 5,847 new cases. There are currently 43,524 active cases in Western Australia. There were 240 people with COVID-19 in hospital, 6 in ICU. Of the 5,847 cases, 1826 were confirmed via PCR test, the remaining 4,021 were self- reported positive rapid antigen tests. A total 7,381 PCR tests were conducted at either state-run or private pathology clinics. WA has recorded 398,092 cases since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
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29 April

WA: WA COVID-19 update 29 April 2022
WA Health is reporting a total of 8,117 new cases. There are currently 43,433 active cases in Western Australia. There were 233 people with COVID-19 in hospital, four in ICU. The report sadly includes two historical deaths, including a man over 100 and a woman in her 80s dating back to April 26 that were reported to WA Health.
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Aged Care

03 May

The fine mess parties have gotten aged care into
"While the COVID-19 pandemichas complicated a response, the Coalition has not done any conceptual and planning work to increase the aged care workforce," said the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association of NSW (CPSA). "Both Labor and the Coalition have form when it comes to getting it wrong on aged care. The aged care mess is a mess the Coalition and Labor created together over a quarter of a century. It’s a mess they should clean up together. It would not just be refreshing if both acknowledged their share of the blame and started to work on policies in a genuinely cooperative, bi-partisan way."
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VIC: More support for the Victorians who need it most
The Victorian Government is providing more support for the Victorians who need it most, upgrading aged care facilities, boosting the community services workforce and expanding help available to at-risk families in the Victorian Budget 2022/23, said Victorian Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Anthony Carbines. The Budget provides $146 million to replace and refurbish beds at Public Sector Regional Aged Care Services (PSRACS) campuses, including 36 beds at Camperdown Hospital, 72 beds at Mansfield District Hospital and 38 beds at Orbost Regional Health, and to plan for upgrades at facilities in Bright and Heywood. Funding of $800,000 will plan for a new 60-bed PSRACS facility at the Mornington Centre - including 30 beds dedicated to a specialist dementia unit and 30 mental health beds. PSRACS will receive $29.9 million to continue providing high-quality care to senior Victorians, including those with mental health issues.
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02 May

Cost of living help for more older Australians
More older Australians will have access to cheaper medications and healthcare thanks to changes to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card from 1 July 2022. Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt welcomed the commitment which will help ease cost of living pressures for seniors. 'We've cut the fuel excise in half, provided one-off $250 payments hitting bank accounts now, the $420 cost-of-living tax offset and now we are helping seniors even more,' Mr Pitt said. 'A re-elected Morrison Government will increase the income test threshold for singles to around $90,000 and for couples $144,000, which means more people - including self-funded retirees - will be able to access a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card."
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Opposition to widen eligibility for commonwealth seniors health card
"Labor will widen eligibility for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, in line with the Government's announcement," said Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler, Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services Linda Burney and Leader Of The Opposition Anthony Albanese. "We're not interested in playing politics when we see a good idea. Unlike the Morrison Government, we can be trusted to deliver on our announcements for older Australians and pensioners. Over the course of their decade in power, this Government tried to lift the pension age to 70 years, and when Scott Morrison was in charge as Minister, he took 90,000 seniors off the Pensioner Concession Card."
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Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

None this edition.

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Allied Health

None this edition.

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Children's Health

None this edition.

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Clinical Governance

05 May

Parties promise to lower healthcare costs, but primary health care reform is missing in action
The Consumers Health Forum welcomes recent announcements from both major parties that the cost of prescriptions will be eased by reducing the PBS co -payment. In addition, both parties have committed to raising the threshold for access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC). Consumers Health Forum CEO, Leanne Wells, said that these two measures will help to bring down costs for people on fixed incomes in the face of rising inflation pressures "When medicines become unaffordable, the costs to the nation's healthcare system becomes more burdensome, as people are missing essential treatment,' said Ms Wells.
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04 May

Variation of Inventory listing following approval of an application
The Executive Director of the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme, under the Department of Health varied the terms of the Inventory listing for the following chemical on the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals (the Inventory) in accordance with section 93 of the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019.
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AMA urges BUPA and Ramsay to get back to negotiating table
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is disappointed that contract negotiations for Ramsay Health Care hospital services to BUPA members have ended in stalemate with Ramsay Health announcing that it has issued a notice to BUPA to terminate the agreement it has with BUPA.. AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid said the failure to reach agreement meant that although BUPA members could still be admitted to a Ramsay Health Care hospital, those booked from 2 August will face extra out-of-pocket hospital costs.
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Multiple Sunscreens Recall - Low levels of benzene detected
'Consumers and health professionals are advised that a number of sunscreen products, which are regulated as medicines in Australia, are being recalled due to the presence of benzene. Only the batches included in the table in this release that are being recalled. If you have any of the affected batch numbers, please return it to the place of purchase or contact the Sponsor (their contact details are in the table) for a refund. Other products may be added to the table in the next few weeks as the TGA investigations continue.' said the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA)
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28 April

Put Aussies at the centre of health policy: call from consumer health advocates
The Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) is urging all political leaders to put consumers at the centre of health policy-making in Australia, following the release of concerning new data from the Organisation for Economic and Co-operation Development (OECD). The benefits of consumer-centred care are better targeted services, and value-based health care, which translates to better outcomes for patients and less waste. In Patient Experience Week, CHF is calling for consumers to be placed at the heart of health system design.
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Construction and Health Infrastructure

04 May

Opposition commits $1.9 million for North Stradbroke Island health infrastructure
An Opposition Government would invest $1.9 million in health infrastructure on North Stradbroke Island. This investment will expand the Yulu-Burri-Ba clinic at Dunwich, including adjoining land, purpose-built dongas and fit out. 'The life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Queenslanders is still 6.7 years for women and 7.8 years for men. The latest Productivity Commission reports shows this gap is not on track to be closed by 2031. We need to increase our effort to close the gap, especially as Australia's First Nations population continues to grow,' said Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services Linda Burney.
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NT: Light turns green for Jabiru Health Clinic construction tender
NT Minister for Health Natasha Fyles announced that the Territory Government is bolstering capacity at Royal Darwin Hospital as part of a $2 billion investment in health infrastructure and services across the Territory for Budget 2022. Investment to meet additional inpatient demands to provide access to high quality health services at Royal Darwin Hospital including:
- $8 million for additional capacity
- $6.4 million to establish a mental health stabilisation and referral area
- $7.5 million for demand pressures
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03 May

Landmark investment to boost rural doctor workforce
A re-elected Government is investing more than $1 billion to boost rural health, including an additional $146 million in new funding to inject more doctors and allied health professionals into regional and rural communities and improve treatment and care for patients, said Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce and Minister for Health Greg Hunt. These investments are part of the 10-year Stronger Rural Health Strategy which is already delivering more doctors and nurses into rural communities and training the next generation of country doctors, said Minister for Regional Health, Dr David Gillespie. 'We are now building further on those key initiatives to target regional, rural and remote communities with immediate health workforce needs. As part of this, $35 million in new funding will be provided to significantly expand the successful Innovative Models of Collaborative Care program.'
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02 May

Improving access to healthcare across the Central Coast
'A Labor Government will fund two Medicare Urgent Care Clinics on the Central Coast, so locals and families can get the urgent medical care they need,' said Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health Emma Mcbride. 'People on the Central Coast are struggling to access medical care with the ongoing GP shortage and rising out-of-pocket costs, which have gone up by 37 percent under the Liberals. Labor has a plan to improve access to GP emergency care in our region by delivering two Medicare Urgent Care Clinics; one in Dobell and one in Robertson.'
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Dental

None this edition.

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Disabilities

03 May

When Govt took a wrecking ball to the NDIS operating model
This fourth article in the Defending the NDIS series is an insider's look at what happened when the government took a wrecking ball to the National Disability Insurance Scheme's operating model, said InnovationAus. The NDIS is a case study in the complexity of policy and service delivery: it is also a case study in the failings of digital government services. In the 2014-2015 Budget, the Government cut National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) staff numbers from 10,000 to 3,000. But unlike the Productivity Commission's detailed analysis determining the required 10,000 staff figure, the 3,000 number was random, not based on any evidence or analysis.
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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

03 May

Regulation of software based medical devices
Software is becoming increasingly important in medical devices and digital adoption more broadly. In addition, it is becoming more important as a medical device in its own right. Rapid innovation in technology has driven significant changes to software function and adoption, giving rise to a larger number of devices able to inform, drive or replace clinical decisions, or directly provide therapy to an individual. Advances in computing technology and software production have led to a large increase in the number of software-based medical devices available on the market, requiring the implementation of reforms to ensure patient safety. Software based medical devices are medical devices that incorporate software or are software, including software as a medical device, or software that relies on particular hardware to function as intended, and are regulated in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
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Education and Training

None this edition.

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Funding

05 May

Boosting cancer care in northern Tasmania
Patients in northern Tasmania will benefit from a new cancer support pilot program at the W.P. Holman Clinic at the Launceston General Hospital. The Government is investing more than $580,000 in cancer survivorship support which is not currently available in north and north west Tasmania. Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said the funding will support a pilot survivorship care service which will focus on the health and wellbeing of a person living with, and beyond, cancer. Federal Member for Bass, Bridget Archer, said the pilot program will help cancer patients in her electorate and across northern Tasmania to better manage their symptoms and access the psychological care and ongoing support they need.
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New linear accelerator to further improve cancer care in Tasmania
A new linear accelerator has been officially launched at the North West Regional Hospital's Cancer Centre in Burnie Tasmania, improving access to life saving cancer care in the State. Linear accelerators are used to generate beam radiation treatments for patients with cancer, using high-energy x-rays or electrons to destroy the cancer cells without damaging the surrounding tissue. Minister Hunt said the Government provided $4.4 million to purchase and install the linear accelerator, the second to be installed at the North West Cancer Centre.
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AMA welcomes election focus on rural health
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has said election promises to inject $146m in new funding into rural health, announced this week by both major political parties, marks a welcome shift in the election campaign, with the health needs of rural Australians having received little attention so far. AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid said the Government had released of a suite of practical policies to bolster the rural health workforce, which the Opposition Party has said it will match. Dr Khorshid said the $146m spend offered by both parties, will build on earlier Budget commitments, and further supported strategies to get more doctors into locations where they were most needed.
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04 May

$24 million for innovative research to improve emergency care
10 research projects across the country will receive a share of $24 million from the Government to explore better ways to reduce wait times for Australians presenting to emergency departments (EDs). These projects will point the way to new approaches to enable EDs to operate more efficiently and more effectively, to provide better health outcomes for all patients. Flinders University will receive $1.1 million for their project, which will partner with consumers to develop a geriatric urgent care unit. Minister Hunt said this investment was part of the Government's commitment to investing in the nation's brightest medical researchers.
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03 May

Landmark investment to boost rural doctor workforce
A re-elected Government is investing more than $1 billion to boost rural health, including an additional $146 million in new funding to inject more doctors and allied health professionals into regional and rural communities and improve treatment and care for patients, said Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce and Minister Hunt. These investments are part of the10-year Stronger Rural Health Strategy which is already delivering more doctors and nurses into rural communities and training the next generation of country doctors, said Minister for Regional Health, Dr David Gillespie. 'We are now building further on those key initiatives to target regional, rural and remote communities with immediate health workforce needs. As part of this, $35 million in new funding will be provided to significantly expand the successful Innovative Models of Collaborative Care program.'
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Hospitals need leadership, not politics
The Prime Minister has ruled out a new hospital funding agreement to provide the state governments with a fairer 50-50 funding deal, while the Opposition Leader has signalled a willingness to talk to state minsters, but also stopped short of a firm commitment, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) said. AMA President, Dr Omar Khorshid said the ruling out of a new funding agreement on hospitals is a clear message to the electorate from Scott Morrison. 'By ruling out a new funding deal for our hospitals, the PM is saying that it is ok our hospitals are ramped with ambulances. He is saying it is ok that EDs are overflowing, that people are suffering in pain, or worse, dying. What we need is leadership by the next Prime Minster to address the root cause of the hospital crisis, which is funding.'
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More funding for rural doctor crisis welcomed
National Farmers' Federation President Fiona Simson has praised the Government on its commitment to bolster the regional doctor workforce, if elected for a further term of Government. 'For farmers and their families access to health care is a deeply troubling issue and one that unfortunately brings into sharp focus the inequity between country Australians and their urban counterparts. Attracting doctors and other specialised health professionals to towns and cities outside city bounds is a perennial, complex challenge. Telehealth continues to be a valuable option but of course it can never make up for in-person medical care. Many towns are serviced by a fly-in, fly-out doctor workforce. This arrangement works well as a band aid, but it's not a long term viable solution for communities or doctors.'
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VIC: Putting patients first
'Whether it's the sharp increase of critical COVID patients, disrupted care resulting in longer hospital recovery time, or people delaying seeing their GP, the last few years have really knocked our health system around. When we came to government, we put an end to the war on our paramedics. We took ambulance response times from the worst in our history to the best. We did it by working with our nurses, ambulances, allied health professionals and doctors - and with a clear plan to get it done. Now - just like we've done before - we'll ease the pressure on our hospitals and healthcare workers by putting patients first and rolling out our Pandemic Repair Plan for more staff, better hospitals and first-class care,' said Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley.
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WA: New $252 million reform package to improve WA emergency care
Improving the delivery of emergency care in hospitals and tackling the systemic causes of ambulance ramping will be a major focus of new health budget initiatives in the WA Government's 2022-23 Budget to be unveiled next week, said WA Premier Mark McGowan. The $251.7 million Emergency Department Reform Package comprises 17 initiatives that will focus on reducing demand pressures and enhancing system-wide coordination both in the short term and over the longer term. A Ministerial Taskforce led by the Health Minister has been established to oversee implementation of the reforms. The major reform package includes an $18.2 million investment in real-time data capability needed to manage system pressures and improve the flow of patients through emergency departments. The Budget also includes $55.8 million to embed 24/7 registered nurses across 15 metropolitan and regional Emergency Department waiting rooms, said Minister for Health Amber-Jade Sanderson.
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WA: Health boost for regional and remote communities in State Budget
The WA Government is delivering a $158.3 million funding boost to regional health and mental health as part of the upcoming 2022-23 State Budget, said Minister Sanderson. This includes $30.1 million for 18 additional paid paramedics and six additional ambulances in regional WA, delivering on an election commitment. $18.5 million will be spent to expand the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service frontline workforce across seven regions by 11.6 FTE. The State Budget allocates $13 million to build and operate a new 8-chair Albany General Dental Clinic and $10 million of Royalties for Regions funding to deliver specialist paediatric, cancer, haematology, stroke and neurology services at the Karratha Health Campus and surrounding sites.
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30 April

$15 million for the royal flying doctor service in Tasmania
A re-elected Government will invest $15 million to improve and expand the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Launceston base to improve the delivery of healthcare for Tasmanians. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the $15 million investment into the RFDS would bring the service's aeromedical, dental, mental health and other services under the one roof for the first time. Minister Hunt said the investment added to the Government's nearly $1 billion investment in the new 10 Year Strategic Agreement with the RFDS. The Member for Bass Bridget Archer said the RFDS was there for Tasmanians no matter what the medical needs may be.
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Health Professionals

06 May

VIC: Victorians rising to thank frontline workers
Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson has announced that as a big thank you from all Victorians, the Government is offering the state's health and education frontline workers 15,000 free tickets to RISING festival's signature event The Wilds. Nurses, doctors, teachers and childcare workers are among the frontline workers to receive tickets to The Wilds, which will take over Sidney Myer Music Bowl in June with an action-packed program of art, music, food and ice-skating. The free ticket allocation recognises the extraordinary efforts of Victoria's health and education workers during the coronavirus fight, offering them the opportunity to enjoy this unique creative experience in the heart of Melbourne's CBD.
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05 May

Securing Australia's medical workforce will avert pending health crisis
The Group of Eight (Go8) has called on an incoming Government to move quickly to avert a looming medical crisis as Australia' depleted healthcare workforce copes with increasing demand and pressure in a post pandemic world. Essential Decisions for National Success: Securing the Future of Australia's Medical Workforce is one of a series of policy papers from the Go8 in the lead up to the Federal election. Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said COVID-19 has exacerbated the burn-out rate among healthcare workers, Australia can no longer rely on international medical graduates (IMGs) to fill workforce gaps, and it takes 10-15 years to fully train a medical professional.
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AMA said boom or bust decision-making not the answer to medical workforce shortage
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has said while it welcomes the contribution of the Go8 to the current debate over medical workforce supply, more medical school places doesn't necessarily mean more doctors where they are needed. The Go8's call for 1000 extra Commonwealth-supported medical school places is premature, and potentially diverts funding away from where it is desperately needed. AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid said while medical workforce shortages, including of specialist and GP services, are having a real impact on patients in some parts of the country, a return to a boom/bust approach to medical workforce decisions was not the answer.
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Medical students say more students is not the solution to Australia's health crisis
The Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA) strongly opposes the Group of Eight Universities' recommendation for the incoming Government to fund an additional 1,000 medical student Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs). 'The simplistic suggestion that increasing medical student numbers is a solution to the multi-faceted problems facing healthcare is false and irresponsible. Having more medical students will not fix the maldistribution of Australian doctors nor ease current workforce pressures,' AMSA President Ms Jasmine Davis highlighted. Modelling by the Department of Health suggests that by 2030 Australia will have an oversupply of 7,000 doctors.
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Culture of fear in hospitals causes deaths
The Australian Doctors Reform Society agrees with the NSW governments report released that people are suffering and even dying unnecessarily due to doctors and nurses operating in a "Culture of Fear" about speaking out about the inadequate staffing in rural and regional hospitals.'"said Dr Robert Marr, GP and Secretary General of the Australian Doctors Reform Society "As a GP who has worked in regional areas around Australia I have found dangerously inadequate staffing in many areas of regional Australia including towns such as Bourke,Condobolin and many aboriginal health services in Central Australia." said Dr Marr
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04 May

Award winners recognised in pharmaceutical industry education course
Winners from across Australia's pharmaceutical industry have been announced for the Medicines Australia Continuing Education Program (CEP) Awards. The CEP Awards recognise individuals who have shown an exceptional understanding of the importance of upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity. Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer, said the CEP Awards recognised the hard work and achievements of students who completed the online course last year through the University of Tasmania (UTAS). 'The award winners for 2021 are a strong example of the pharmaceutical industry's commitment to training and supporting medical representatives.'
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03 May

VIC: Delivering world class care for Victorians at home
Thousands more Victorians will now get access to the best clinicians, allied health professionals and nurses from the comfort of their own homes thanks to a massive funding boost in the Victorian Budget 2022/23. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley joined some of Victoria’s best nurses to announce a $698 million package to expand the Better at Home program. "We saw how much difference it made to thousands of Victorians who were able to get treatment and support at home during the pandemic - that's why the program is going to become a permanent option for patients under the Andrews Labor Government," said the Premier.
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02 May

Recruitment underway for ARPANSA Chief Radiation Health Scientist and Head of Radiation Health Services Branch
Recruitment is currently underway for the next Chief Radiation Health Scientist and Head of Radiation Health Services Branch of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). The successful candidate will undertake a unique, combined role, that will provide strategic and operational leadership for the effective and efficient management of the Radiation Health Services Branch. They will also be directly responsible for the delivery of work programs and services across the four sections of the branch and will establish and sustain strong collaborative arrangements with other branch and offices within ARPANSA.
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29 April

WA: End-of-Life and Palliative Care Education and Training Framework launched
The End-of-Life and Palliative Care Education and Training Framework is a new resource for all health professionals, staff and organisations that care for people with end-of-life and palliative care needs, said the WA Department of Health. The framework is designed to enhance the delivery of high-quality end-of-life and palliative care by empowering users to identify gaps in their knowledge and guide learning. The framework's three domains reflect the core knowledge and skills (learning items) considered integral to the delivery of high-quality end-of-life and palliative care.
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28 April

Halfway To Nowhere on Health, AMA said
The AMA is disappointed the federal election campaign is half-way through and 'nowhere on health', while calls for politicians to address health policy are getting louder in the community. State Premiers, Health Ministers and State Treasurers have written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Federal Health Minister previously to ask for a 50-50 split on hospital funding, and to remove the annual cap on activity, in order to deal with the backlog of care in the community following COVID-19 lockdowns.
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Hospitals

04 May

VIC: A new hospital and major jobs boost for Melton
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley and Member for Melton Steve McGhie have announced that the Government is making sure more people in Melbourne's west get the care they need close to home, with a brand new hospital to be built in Melton to provide more health services for the local community, as a part of the Pandemic Repair Plan. The new hospital is being funded with more than $900 million in the Victorian Budget 2022/23 - supporting the growing and diverse communities of Caroline Springs, Rockbank, Melton and Bacchus Marsh. The hospital will be Victoria's first to be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.
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03 May

Hospitals need leadership, not politics
The Prime Minister has ruled out a new hospital funding agreement to provide the state governments with a fairer 50-50 funding deal, while the Opposition Leader has signalled a willingness to talk to state minsters, but also stopped short of a firm commitment, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) said. AMA President, Dr Omar Khorshid said the ruling out of a new funding agreement on hospitals is a clear message to the electorate from Scott Morrison. 'By ruling out a new funding deal for our hospitals, the PM is saying that it is ok our hospitals are ramped with ambulances. He is saying it is ok that EDs are overflowing, that people are suffering in pain, or worse, dying. What we need is leadership by the next Prime Minster to address the root cause of the hospital crisis, which is funding.'
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VIC: New hospital for Melton
The Victorian Government will invest more than $2.9 billion to build new hospitals and upgrade existing ones as part of the Victorian Budget 2022/23, said Minister Foley. The funding package includes record investments to upgrade and improve health infrastructure across metropolitan and regional health services through the Metropolitan and Regional Health Infrastructure Funds. Providing more care for communities in the western suburbs will be critical as they continue to grow - so the Government will invest more than $900 million in a new tertiary hospital for Melbourne's west, with final designs to be informed by community and stakeholder engagement. The new Melton Hospital will include a 24-hour emergency department, more than 100 medical and surgical beds, an intensive care unit, maternity and neonatal services, more mental health services, interventional services and ambulatory care.
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02 May

ACT: Inquiry into Dhulwa Mental Health Unit
The ACT Government has announced an inquiry into the Dhulwa Mental Health Unit to review its legislative, clinical and governance frameworks to ensure the facility operates under best practice in a safe environment for all workers and patients. The inquiry will be independently chaired with strong legal and governance expertise to ensure best clinical practice and worker safety at Dhulwa. ACT Minister for Mental Health Emma Davidson said the inquiry will address the immediate issues that have recently been raised at Dhulwa and ensure clinicians, consumers, staff and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation ACT (ANMF) are involved throughout the process.
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ACT: Minister finally agrees to Dhulwa inquiry following repeated calls
Following repeated calls by the ACT Opposition and the Nursing and Midwifery Federation, the ACT Government has finally agreed to launch an independent inquiry into the Dhulwa Mental Health Unit. ACT Shadow Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing Leanne Castley welcomed the announcement but hit out at the Mental Health Minister for dragging her feet on the issue. 'Nurses have been crying out for help following a number of assaults at the facility but have continually been ignored by the minister,' Ms Castley said.
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28 April

WA: Milestone reached in $61.4 million Newman Health Service redevelopment
WA Minister for Health and Mental Health Amber-Jade Sanderson has announced that residents of Newman and surrounding communities will soon have access to the most modern emergency healthcare available after stage one of the $61.4 million hospital redevelopment reached practical completion. The new Newman Health Service will have increased capacity to treat critically ill and injured patients, with two new resuscitation bays, three treatment bays and a procedure room. The facility is telehealth-enabled, providing 24/7 access to a virtual care hub of emergency and other specialists across the Pilbara and in Perth via the highly regarded WA Country Health Service Command Centre.
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Western Australia Public Health Act 2016, Part 12, Division 3, Section 170 Extension Of Declaration (No.3) Of Public Health State Of Emergency
Pursuant to section 170 of the Public Health Act 2016 (WA), Amber-Jade Sanderson, the Minister for Health, hereby extends the public health state of emergency declaration, which came into effect on 22 September 2021 at 16:25 hours. The duration of the public health state of emergency declaration is extended for a period of 14 days (the extension).
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Insurance

04 May

Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Rules (No. 5) 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00635
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Medicare

None this edition.

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Men's Health

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Mental Health

04 May

$12.6 million for a new child mental health centre in Adelaide
A re-elected Government will establish a new mental health and wellbeing centre for children in Bedford Park, Adelaide. The $12.6 million Health to Health Kids hub will be the first of its kind in South Australia and the first in a network of 15 centres to be established across the country. Minister for Health and Ageing, Greg Hunt, said early intervention was a vital part of supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and their families. Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said the Strategy was the first of its kind, not just in Australia, but across the world.
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$6.8 million for new mental health services in Braddon
Australians in Braddon will have greater access to mental health services with the Government announcing new Head to Health adult mental health services in Burnie and Devonport. Member for Braddon, Gavin Pearce, with Minister Hunt and Assistant Minister Coleman welcomed the announcement of the new services, which are funded through the Government's historic National Mental Health and Suicide Plan announced in the 2021-22 Budget. 'The Morrison Government continues to make the mental health and wellbeing of all Australians a national priority,' Gavin Pearce said.
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More support for mental health and suicide prevention in Tasmania
A re-elected Government will invest $5.2 million to ensure that Tasmanians have continued and expanded access to vital mental health and suicide prevention services. These initiatives are key to the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan. Minister Hunt, and Assistant Minister Coleman said the Government remains committed to working towards zero suicides and ensuring appropriate supports are in place for those at risk.
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The mental health costs that come with increases to the cost of living
As many Australians work out what an increase in interest rates will mean for their weekly or monthly budget, on top of the already increasing costs of food, petrol and more, Mental Health Australia is calling on all parties and candidates in the Federal Election to consider what these increased financial pressures mean for people with a mental illness, and for those who love and care for them. Mental Health Australia CEO Dr Leanne Beagley said mental health and money problems are often intricately intertwined and for these pressures to constantly increase.
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03 May

Additional $13.7 million for suicide prevention in South Australia
A re-elected Government will invest $13.7 million to ensure that South Australians have continued and expanded access to vital suicide prevention services. People who have previously attempted suicide or who have lost loved ones to suicide are at much higher risk of suicide than the general population. Minister Hunt, said the Government remains committed to working towards zero suicides and ensuring appropriate supports are in place for those at risk. Assistant Minister Coleman, said that the Government had been working with the South Australian Government to deliver aftercare services in South Australia.
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VIC: A mental health system to work for every Victorian
The Victorian Government has started building the mental health system, and it's getting on with taking the next big steps to build a mental health system that works for every Victorian, said Victorian Minister for Mental Health James Merlino. In the year since the Royal Commission's final report was delivered, new services have opened and more Victorians than ever are getting the help they need - and this Budget will mean work is underway on more than 90 per cent of recommendations. In the Victorian Budget 2022/23, funding of $1.3 billion for brand-new initiatives will build on last year's record investment of $3.8 billion. Without the dedicated professionals who care for Victorians every day, the mental health system doesn't exist - that's why the work to build the mental health system is underpinned by a massive expansion to the mental health workforce.
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02 May

NSW: $460 million overhaul of mental health care in Western Sydney
Western Sydney will soon be home to NSW's largest mental health service, thanks to a $460 million investment by the NSW Government in a brand new modern mental health facility at Westmead Hospital Campus. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, NSW Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres, NSW Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor and NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard announced that the new Integrated Mental Health Complex will provide first-class care to the state's fastest growing community from 2026. 'More than 1.47 million people are expected to call Western Sydney home by 2031 and this development will ensure our diverse communities have access to world-class mental health care, replacing the outdated mental health facilities at Cumberland Hospital,' Mr Perrottet said.
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ACT: Inquiry into Dhulwa Mental Health Unit
02 MAY: The ACT Government has announced an inquiry into the Dhulwa Mental Health Unit to review its legislative, clinical and governance frameworks to ensure the facility operates under best practice in a safe environment for all workers and patients. The inquiry will be independently chaired with strong legal and governance expertise to ensure best clinical practice and worker safety at Dhulwa. ACT Minister for Mental Health Emma Davidson said the inquiry will address the immediate issues that have recently been raised at Dhulwa and ensure clinicians, consumers, staff and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation ACT (ANMF) are involved throughout the process.
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ACT: Minister finally agrees to Dhulwa inquiry following repeated calls by the Opposition
Following repeated calls by the ACT Opposition and the Nursing and Midwifery Federation, the ACT Government has finally agreed to launch an independent inquiry into the Dhulwa Mental Health Unit. Shadow Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing Leanne Castley welcomed the announcement but hit out at the Mental Health Minister for dragging her feet on the issue. 'Nurses have been crying out for help following a number of assaults at the facility but have continually been ignored by the minister,' Ms Castley said. 'It should not take a WorkSafe notice and repeated calls from our nurses and the Canberra Liberals for the Labor-Greens Government to finally act and launch an inquiry.'
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01 May

Additional funding for youth-led mental health and suicide prevention initiatives
The Government is continuing its support for young people with a $5.5 million investment in youth mental health organisation batyr. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that while an estimated one in four young Australians aged 16 to 24 years experienced mental illness in any given year, many do not seek help. Minister Hunt said the additional funding for OurHerd will support approximately 60,000 young people aged 14-30 years with mild to moderate mental health needs. Assistant Minister Coleman said the funding injection backs batyr's innovative and peer-led mental health and suicide prevention programs.
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29 April

Leaders urged to offer more employee mental health support
Headspace Health, a provider of a comprehensive digital mental health platform, has announced new data revealing the perceptions of CEOs and workers on mental health, said the National Safety Council of Australia (NSCA). The Fourth Annual Workforce Attitudes toward Mental Health Report, based on a global survey fielded between February and March 2022, compiled data from more than 500 CEOs and 5400 full-time employees in Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States to examine workplace issues driving stress and burnout among CEOs and their employees. COVID-19-related stress among some workers has started to fall; however, employees are increasingly feeling stress from burnout and challenges with management and leadership. The report found that 91% of working Australians experienced moderate to extreme stress at least once a week, while almost half experienced stress most days.
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VIC: Burnet Institute and WEHI stand with transgender and gender diverse people
Dr Elissa Kennedy, Burnet's Co-Head of Adolescent Health said: 'The majority of transgender people in Australia experience transphobia, with devastating impacts on young people's wellbeing - 80 per cent of transgender young people have experienced self-harm and almost half have attempted suicide by the age of 24. The rights of transgender and gender diverse people to live in safety and participate freely in society should not be up for debate.' Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research WE-Pride Co-Chair, Belinda Zipper said: 'Compared to the general population, young people from the LGBTQIA+ community are at an elevated risk of experiencing poor mental health, lack of family support, social isolation and depression. We encourage the Australian community to stand united in support of transgender and gender diverse people.'
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System

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Pharmaceuticals and Regulation

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