This Newsletter covers Federal and State policy and legislative developments in the area of health. Copies of documents referred to can be obtained by clicking on the reference in this Newsletter or through Capital Monitor's collection at www.capitalmonitor.com.au or from the source quoted.

Major Announcements

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

20 August

Don't gamble with Delta, AMA warns National Cabinet
Australia's peak medical association has called on National Cabinet to immediately strengthen the national approach to preventing the spread of the Delta virus, especially in the states and territories where there is currently no community transmission. AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid said the key to fighting Delta was to get ahead of the virus and stay ahead. 'We can't be complacent in those places that don't have Delta because once we find it, it's often already spread significantly,' he said.
Download

People at high risk must not be left to come last in vaccination race
The community sector is recommending specific vaccination targets for high-risk groups and that population and location specific data be released at least weekly. ACOSS has welcomed the engagement by Operation COVID Shield and the Vaccination Taskforce with the community sector. The Federal Government and National Cabinet need to take urgent action to address these major gaps in partnership with the community sector to ensure no one is left behind, dangerously exposed.
Download

NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW recorded 644 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm. Of these locally acquired cases, 134 are linked to a known case or cluster - 107 are household contacts and 27 are close contacts - and the source of infection for 508 cases is under investigation. Sixty-five cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 30 were in isolation for part of their infectious period. Forty-one cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 506 cases remains under investigation, said the NSW Department of Health.
Download

NSW: Permits for travel to regional NSW
A permit system for some travel between Greater Sydney and regional NSW will take effect from 12.01am on Saturday 21 August. For the purposes of this public health order and permit, Greater Sydney will no longer include Shellharbour and the Central Coast. People travelling to Shellharbour and the Central Coast for the above reasons will require a permit to do so. Taking a holiday to a second residence is not a reasonable excuse to leave home. Permit applications will be made available on the Service NSW website, said the NSW Department of Health.
Download

19 August

Linked data saving lives against COVID-19
Connecting Australia's health data is vital to Australia's response to COVID-19, and the NRCIS-funded Population Health Research Network gives us the infrastructure and privacy protection to make it happen. In February 2020-a month before COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic- Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young recognised the role data would play in Australia's response to the coronavirus. She called an emergency meeting to start linking information on returned travellers to their health and other government records. This was the start of a nation-wide escalation of data linkage systems required to support every aspect of Australia's COVID-19 response, said the Department of Education, Skills and Employment.
Download

COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report
Vaccination against COVID-19 is the most effective way to reduce deaths and severe illness from infection. Two COVID-19 vaccines are currently in use in Australia . AstraZeneca and Comirnaty (Pfizer). The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) granted provisional approval to another vaccine called Spikevax (elasomeran) sponsored by Moderna. Like all medicines, these vaccines can have side effects (also known as adverse events). The overwhelming majority are mild and resolve within a few days. The TGA closely monitors reports of suspected side effects. Importantly, adverse events reported to the TGA are often not caused by the vaccine itself.
Download

TGA reduces timeframe for publishing adverse event reports
With strong public interest in adverse event reports relating to COVID]19 vaccinations, and improvements in IT systems, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is making reports for medicines and vaccines publicly available more quickly. The changes will reduce the time between adverse event reports being accepted into the database and published on the Database of Adverse Event Notifications - medicines (DAEN) from 90 days to 14 days. These changes align with the TGA's Digital Transformation project which over the coming couple of years will digitise, transform and modernise business systems and infrastructure and allow for greater transparency.
Download

NSW: Strike Force Alioth formed to investigate vaccine bookings
Detectives from State Crime Command's Cybercrime Squad will address the media after about 60 people booked COVID-19 vaccines under allocations reserved for health care workers. On Saturday 14 August 2021,, officers attached to Inner West Police Area Command were notified by Sydney Local Health District after several members of the public attended a hospital at Camperdown the previous day for vaccine bookings purportedly made by essential healthcare workers. Further inquiries revealed a link was shared with the attendees which allowed them to be allocated a vaccine despite being ineligible for priority bookings, said NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott.
Download

NT: COVID-19 jab appointments now online for Territory kids
The Territory Government has expanded the vaccine rollout to now include Pfizer bookings for eligible kids aged 12-15 in the Territory. Eligible children aged 12-15 in Greater Darwin and all other children aged 12 and above living in the Northern Territory are eligible to book their appointment at an NT Health COVID-19 vaccine clinic, GP or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation. Bookings are already available in Greater Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs, said NT Minister for Health Natasha Fyles.
Download

NT: COVID-19 update: Lockdown, restrictions & border entry requirements
The Lockdown lifted in Greater Darwin but it has been extended in Katherine for an additional 24 hours until noon 20 August, while NT awaits further COVID-19 test results. More than 2400 COVID-19 tests were undertaken across the NT, with all returning a negative result. As at 9am, a total of 626 casual contacts have been identified with 490 of these in Katherine. Of the casual contacts, 272 negative tests have been returned and 232 test results are pending. An additional 122 contacts are being followed up including 12 people from Katherine who need to be located, said the NT Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet.
Download

QLD: Queensland lifts Greater Darwin as a COVID-19 hotspot while Katherine hotspot remains
The Chief Health Officer will no longer declare Greater Darwin a COVID-19 hotspot after it lifted its lockdown but the hotspot declaration will remain for Katherine while local lockdown restrictions continue to apply, said the Queensland Department of Health. Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said those currently in quarantine in Queensland who arrived from Greater Darwin will be able to leave quarantine once they return a negative COVID-19 test result.
Download

VIC: More drive-through vaccination clinics for Victoria
Victoria will be home to an additional three drive-through sites, said Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley. The Melton clinic at the iconic Bunnings warehouse has seen a successful start, with 1200 doses delivered over the first seven days. The new site at the Ford Factory in Broadmeadows will be soft launched this Sunday by invitation only, and will open to the public for booked appointments from Monday 23 August. The Sandown Racecourse clinic will run an invitation-only soft launch on Friday. It will open to the public for booked appointments from Saturday 21 August. Combined, these sites will have 36 bays for drive-through but have the capacity to be ramped up if needed.
Download

WA: 'Pop-up' airport COVID-19 vaccination clinics to help FIFO workers roll up for WA in new industry collaboration
Fly-in-fly-out workers will soon be able to get their COVID-19 vaccination at Perth Airport. The Perth Airport trial will initially involve Rio Tinto workers at a pop-up clinic operating three days a week during a six-week trial, starting next month. The trial will also be expanded to mining locations in the Pilbara for both workers and community members. In-depth discussions are underway with other major miners, including BHP and Fortescue Metals Group, said WA Minister for Health Roger Cook.
Download

18 August

Roundtable discussion to support employers with COVID-19 vaccination
Minister for Industrial Relations Michaelia Cash led a virtual roundtable discussion with around 50 leaders from unions, employer groups and government to discuss how best to support the vaccination rollout in workplaces. Minister Cash brought together stakeholders to address concerns about how they can and should approach COVID-19 vaccination policies in the workplace and to support the vaccine rollout more broadly.
Download

Agreement reached on purpose-built quarantine facility in WA
The Commonwealth and Western Australian Government have reached an agreement to move forward with the delivery of a 1,000 bed purpose-built quarantine and emergency response facility in the state. Under the agreement, the Commonwealth will fund the construction of the facility and the Western Australian Government will operate the facility and meet operational costs during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Federal Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham and WA Premier Mark McGowan.
Download

Exclusion from vaccine targets unacceptable as kids new COVID battleground
The Greens have renewed their calls for Scott Morrison to include children and all teenagers in the vaccination targets and rollout, saying the political decision to exclude them may make his targets easier to reach, but is exposing far too many kids to the potentially devastating long term health impacts of COVID-19. 50 of Victoria's active cases are kids under 10 years old, and a significant number of recent outbreaks have occurred in schools, said Leader of the Greens Adam Bandt, Greens First Nations spokesperson Senator Lidia Thorpe and Greens Health spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert.
Download

Blaming individuals is not a COVID strategy
Greens Senator for NSW Dr Mehreen Faruqi following the announcement of 633 new locally-acquired Covid-19 cases in NSW said that: 'Today's COVID-19 numbers are just devastating. But simply telling people to 'stay home' is not going to cut it when people aren't getting the financial support they need to do so. The vast majority of people are doing the right thing, and have been for weeks. Blame-shifting onto individuals is very unhelpful.'
Download

QLD: Almost 30,000 COVID-19 vaccinations accessed through Queensland community pharmacies
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch's Acting President, Chris Owen, has said that Queenslanders had accessed almost 30,000 COVID-19 vaccinations through the 700 Queensland community pharmacies administering vaccinations in metropolitan, regional and remote areas. Mr Owen said community pharmacies across Queensland are now working around the clock to meet the demand from Queenslanders. 'We've been amazed at the response from Queenslanders across the state wanting to come in have access to COVID-19 vaccinations,' said Mr Owen.
Download

NT: COVID-19 Update - NT on track: No new COVID-19 cases
No new community cases of COVID-19 have been detected in the NT. Wastewater sampling is being undertaken daily, with test results expected for Darwin and Katherine, Wastewater sampling is a useful monitoring tool, providing a point-in-time snapshot of the COVID-19 situation, said the NT Department of Health.
Download

17 August

'Jabs in jail' urgently needed as COVID-19 encroaches on NSW's prisons
Public Service Association (PSA) said that prison officers are still waiting to get vaccinated even as COVID-19 case numbers begin to seriously test their efforts to keep NSW's jails virus-free, with the union calling on Justice Health to reinstate the on-site vaccination rollout. The Public Service Association said another round of workplace vaccinations for prison officer was urgently needed to make sure there isn't mass spread inside any prison. 'Prison is up there with as a super spreading environment - once it gets in to the main population you're in real trouble,' said Nicole Jess, president of the PSA and chair of the Prison Officers Vocational Branch.
Download

Commonwealth hotspot extended for the ACT and for Greater Melbourne
The Department of Health said that the Australian Government Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, has extended the current Hotspots for the Australian Capital Territory, and for Greater Melbourne, City of Greater Geelong, Moorabool and Golden Plains. Professor Kelly has extended the current Hotspots for the purposes of Commonwealth support for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and for Greater Melbourne, City of Greater Geelong, Moorabool and Golden Plains, until 11:59pm on 2 September 2021. The Hotspots will be reviewed on, or before this date. Increasing case counts, with many cases infectious in both the ACT and Melbourne areas, poses an exposure risk to the people within these respective communities.
Download

NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW Health recorded 452 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm. Of these locally acquired cases, 129 are linked to a known case or cluster - 105 are household contacts and 24 are close contacts - and the source of infection for 323 cases is under investigation. One hundred and one cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 24 were in isolation for part of their infectious period. Thirty cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 297 cases remains under investigation.
Download

NSW: More than 500k Pfizer doses for those aged16-39 in LGAs of concern
17 AUG: Those aged 16 to 39 living in the 12 Local Government Areas (LGA) of concern will be given priority access to the Pfizer vaccine at a number of NSW Health clinics. NSW Health's vaccination clinics have ramped up their capacity to deliver the additional 530,000 doses provided by the Commonwealth Government to this priority group over the next two-and-a-half weeks. 'We know there are several hundred thousand people in these LGAs who are unvaccinated in this age group, and this is a great opportunity for them to come forward and get their jab,' NSW Health Deputy Secretary Susan Pearce said.
Download

ACT: Lockdown arrangements
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said that current public health measures in place across the ACT will be extended for a further two weeks until Thursday 2 September. Canberrans should only be leaving their homes for essential reasons. These reasons have not changed. Non-essential businesses, including non-essential retail, will continue to stay closed and face masks must be worn at all times by everyone aged 12 years and over when outside of the home.
Download

QLD: Queensland COVID-19 Update
Queensland Health recorded two cases of COVID-19 17 August 2021, with one linked to the 'Indooroopilly cluster' in home quarantine during their infectious period and one overseas acquired and detected in hotel quarantine. Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young thanked the community for their efforts. 'Each one of you has done a brilliant job. Please keep wearing your mask, stay socially distanced and get vaccinated if you're able to,' Dr Young said.
Download

NT: COVID-19 Update
The Northern Territory Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet said that no new community cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in the NT at this time as Greater Darwin and Katherine enter into the first full day of lockdown restrictions. A significant contact tracing effort is underway to contact those people who have visited public exposure sites in Darwin and Katherine and make sure they are isolating and getting tested. The positive case and a close contact were transferred from Katherine to the Centre of National Resilience and are in isolation and undertaking quarantine.
Download

TAS: Further protection for Tasmania against the Delta strain
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said that: 'Protecting Tasmanians remains our absolute priority as we continue to respond to the developing COVID-19 outbreaks in other states, and the severity of the Delta strain. That's why we are introducing another safeguard to our border controls and hotel quarantine from today. Anyone who is approved to travel to Tasmania from a high risk - level 1 location such as New South Wales is currently classified, will now be required to produce a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their travel to Tasmania.'
Download

16 August

NSW: Eligible authorised workers to be given vaccine priority
Tens of thousands of eligible authorised workers in western and south-western Sydney LGAs of concern have been offered priority COVID-19 vaccinations at selected NSW Health vaccination clinics between August 16 and 22. More information about eligibility and how to book an appointment is available on the NSW Government website. This follows the Super Sunday event at Sydney Olympic Park and South Western Sydney Vaccination centre, where almost 10,000 people from construction industries and university students received AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccinations, said the NSW Department of Health.
Download

QLD: MOU signed on proposed quarantine facility in Brisbane
The Queensland Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Australian Government's Pinkenba quarantine facility bringing it a step closer to reality. Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said it was a significant milestone. 'The Queensland Government continues to work collaboratively with the Commonwealth to further the Federal Government's proposal for a quarantine facility at the Damascus Barracks,' Mr Miles said. 'On Friday, the Premier signed an MOU with the Australian Government to allow them to proceed with construction of the Commonwealth quarantine facility at Pinkenba.'
Download

VIC: Extended Melbourne lockdown to keep Victorians safe
Due to the ongoing level of community transmission of coronavirus in Victoria, the current lockdown across Melbourne will be extended and a curfew will be put in place across metropolitan Melbourne. After almost two weeks of restrictions in Victoria, it's clear the number of coronavirus cases out in the community is still too high, it's spreading too far and there are too many exposure sites cropping up every day. The average exposure days, the number of days an infectious person is out in the community, was 0.61 and declining at this point of the previous outbreak, said Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley.
Download

NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW Health recorded 478 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm. Of these locally acquired cases, 141 are linked to a known case or cluster - 120 are household contacts and 21 are close contacts - and the source of infection for 337 cases is under investigation. Ninety-seven cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 30 were in isolation for part of their infectious period. Sixty-one cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 290 remains under investigation.
Download

SA: Over sixteen? Get the vaccine
In a historic milestone for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, all South Australians aged 16 and over are now able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at state-run clinics. South Australia Premier Steven Marshall said all eligible South Australians can now book a vaccination appointment at one of the many State Government-operated sites across the state. 'The COVID-19 vaccination program is our doorway out of the pandemic and opening up access to the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine to South Australians aged 16 to 39 is a significant milestone in our rollout,' said Premier Marshall.
Download

WA: Western Australians aged 16 plus eligible for COVID vaccination
The Western Australia Government expanded eligibility criteria for COVID-19 vaccinations to enable all Western Australians aged 16 years and above to receive a COVID-19 vaccination at WA Health clinics, said WA Minister Cook. This is the first opportunity for people aged between 16 to 29 to get vaccinated at State-run clinics. People in this age group can now start booking their vaccination appointment. Individuals aged between 16 - 59 are eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals aged 60 years and over can access the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
Download

15 August

One million doses of Pfizer vaccine from Europe boosting Australian supplies
One million additional Pfizer doses will begin arriving in Australia after a significant agreement was reached with the Republic of Poland. The additional doses are on top of the 40 million Pfizer doses that Australia has already secured for 2021, and will provide a boost to the vaccine roll-out across the country. The one million doses will be targeted to Australians aged 20 to 39 years of age, who were identified in the Doherty Modelling as the peak transmitters of COVID-19, said Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne and Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt.
Download

Rapid antigen testing to be rolled out in Sydney aged care facilities
The Government is providing COVID-19 rapid antigen testing (RAT) to residential aged care facilities in Greater Sydney, to further protect aged care residents, workers and their families. The program will begin on Monday, 16 August at the Uniting Bankstown Aged Care Facility, and then progressively roll out to other facilities who expressed their interest in participating. Respond Global has been selected to lead the program, providing the residential aged care facilities with training and protocols in using the tests and recording the RAT results, said Minister Hunt.
Download

Government needs to come clean on First Nations Vaccinations
Labor called on the Government to publish daily data on local First Nations vaccination rates and on the availability of vaccines. The Government needs to be honest about the failure of the vaccine rollout for First Nations Australians. The lockdown of Walgett Shire has exposed the low vaccination rates among First Nations people, in particular in regional and remote communities. The Prime Minister said the vaccine rollout in First Nations communities would be a priority, said Shadow Minister Butler and Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney.
Download

Vaccine Operations Centre - Weekly Operational Update - 9 August 2021
The Department of Health reported a statement from the Vaccine Operations Centre on the status of the vaccine rollout. Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout program continues to significantly pick up pace - and has now administered more than 13.7 million doses across the country. The number of doses administered on a daily basis is rising all the time, and managed a record 240,000 on 5 August - up about 20,000 on the previous daily record. More than 1.3 million vaccine doses were administered at primary care sites and state and territory facilities.
Download

ACT: COVID-19 Update
ACT Health said that there were two (2) new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the ACT in the past 24 hours. There are now nine (9) active cases associated with this outbreak. As of 9am, ACT Health continues to work with up to 5,742 people who have self-identified as close contacts. There are currently no COVID-19 patients in Canberra hospitals. There were 3,305 COVID-19 tests collected from ACT testing sites and over 2638 through private testing providers, bringing the total to just under 6,000 in the last 24 hours.
Download

TAS: Additional 17,550 Pfizer doses for Tasmania
Tasmanian Minister for Health Jeremy Rockliff said that Tasmania's vaccination program will receive another shot in the arm with an additional 17,550 doses of Pfizer vaccine expected to arrive in Tasmania in the coming week. These extra doses follow the Australian Government's announcement of a deal to secure an additional 1 million doses for the country, with the majority heading to NSW in light of the current COVID-19 challenges in that State. This is very positive news and while the vaccination program continues to proceed well, this will help us get even more Tasmanians vaccinated sooner, bringing us closer to having the majority of the population vaccinated and returning to a more normal way of life.
Download

14 August

NSW: Increased fines, test and isolate payments and new compliance measures as NSW battles Delta
Increased fines of up to $5,000 for COVID breaches, $320 COVID-19 Test and Isolate Support Payments, permits to enter regional NSW and a heightened police presence will be introduced, as NSW continues to battle the Delta variant. In addition, in Greater Sydney and other lockdown areas, the 10 kilometre rule will be reduced from 12.01am Monday, August 16, with shopping, exercise and outdoor recreation to be done in a person's local government area (LGA) or, if outside their LGA, within 5 kilometres of home, said NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
Download

13 August

National Cabinet Statement
The National Cabinet met for the 51st time to discuss Australia's COVID-19 response, recent outbreaks of COVID-19 and the Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy. National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues and find solutions for the health and economic consequences of COVID-19. Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 38,165 confirmed cases in Australia and, sadly, 948 people have died. More than 27.5 million tests have been undertaken. Testing has increased nationally over recent days with 1,409,573 million tests reported in the past 7 days, said Prime Minister Morrison.
Download

The New South Wales Department of Justice is failing First Nations communities
An imprisoned First Nations man was tested for COVID-19 at Bathurst Correctional Centre and was released before the prison received his positive COVID result. The man then returned to his community in north-west New South Wales which has a high population of First Nations people. 'The New South Wales Government and Department of Justice have again failed First Nations people, our Elders, our kids, and those of us living with chronic illness,' said DjabWurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjmara woman Lidia Thorpe, Senator for Victoria and Australian Greens spokesperson for Justice.
Download

NSW: More vaccines and pop-up clinic for Walgett
The NSW Nationals in the state government have urgently sent additional COVID-19 vaccines to Walgett and set up a pop-up Pfizer vaccination clinic as part of efforts to protect local residents following a positive case. NSW Nationals MLC Sam Farraway said more than 10,000 vaccines were being provided, to be shared across the Western NSW local government areas of concern including Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Narromine, Walgett, and Warren.
Download

QLD: New vaccination hubs for Rockhampton and Gladstone
New community-based vaccination centres opening soon in Rockhampton and Gladstone will further enhance access to the COVID-19 vaccine in Central Queensland. Queensland Minister for Health Yvette D'Ath said the new centres will offer increased capacity in response to growing demand for vaccinations across regional Queensland. The Minister said people can also get vaccinated through eligible GPs and community pharmacies. 'As more Queenslanders come forward for vaccination and supply increases, we're able to open up larger venues,' Minister D'Ath said.
Download

QLD: COVID-19 Update
Queensland has recorded eight new cases of COVID-19 with seven linked to the 'Indooroopilly cluster' and one overseas acquired case detected in hotel quarantine, said the Queensland Department of Health. The seven new cases linked to the cluster were all detected in home quarantine which means they are not a risk to the community. There are now 137 cases related to the cluster, including 83 people aged 19 or under. Five schools in south east Queensland are associated with this outbreak. 60 students and 5 teachers have been infected.
Download

Return to top

Aged Care

15 August

Rapid antigen testing to be rolled out in Sydney aged care facilities
The Government is providing COVID-19 rapid antigen testing (RAT) to residential aged care facilities in Greater Sydney, to further protect aged care residents, workers and their families. The program will begin on Monday, 16 August at the Uniting Bankstown Aged Care Facility, and then progressively roll out to other facilities who expressed their interest in participating. Respond Global has been selected to lead the program, providing the residential aged care facilities with training and protocols in using the tests and recording the RAT results, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt.
Download

A Life Changing Life in the care and support sector
Australians looking for a diverse and rewarding job will be encouraged to consider care and support work in a national campaign. The care and support sector, which includes aged care, disability and veterans' support is one of the fastest-growing sectors in Australia. Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Linda Reynolds, Minister Hunt, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck and Minister for Veterans' Affairs Andrew Gee said the A Life Changing Life campaign shines a light on the rewarding, varied and sustainable job opportunities in the sector.
Download

Return to top

Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

12 August

Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation of People with Disability
12 AUG: Transcript of Proceedings - Public Hearing 15, Day 1
Download

Return to top

Allied Health

17 August

ANSTO is the new production partner of OncoBeta GmbH in Australia
OncoBeta GmbH, a commercial-stage medical device company specialized in innovative epidermal radioisotope therapies is pleased to announce that it has formalized it's manufacturing partnership with Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation (ANSTO). Following the completion of all regulatory approvals, ANSTO will produce OncoBeta's novel RheniumSCT therapeutic for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer. OncoBeta GmbH expects to launch Rhenium-SCT by late 2021. The global incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers has been drastically increasing over the past decades.
Download

Return to top

Children's Health

19 August

The new race is on: Australia slips behind other nations on kids vaccinations
The Greens say newly released research shows that Australia is slipping behind other nations in the race to vaccinate kids. Prepared by the independent Parliamentary Library for the office of Greens Leader Adam Bandt, the international comparison shows the US, Canada, UK, EU and a host of Asian nations pressing on with plans to vaccinate under 16s. The research also shows that including all children in vaccination targets, instead of just those aged 16 and over, would require an additional million people to be vaccinated over and above the PM's current targets.
Download

18 August

$2.4 million to improve early childhood nutrition
The Government is investing $2.4 million to help parents, early childcare workers, GPs and other health professionals improve the nutrition of Australian children up to five years of age. The Government recognises the importance of establishing healthy eating habits in early childhood because these can continue into adulthood, reducing the risk of developing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt.
Download

16 August

Clinical course of 2020 Covid-19 in children was mild
The clinical course for most SARS-CoV-2 positive children who presented to Australian hospitals between February and September of 2020 was mild, and did not require medical intervention, according to research published in the Medical Journal of Australia. Dr Laila Ibrahim, a paediatrician and Clinician-Scientist Fellow at Murdoch Children's Research Institute, and colleagues, analysed data from 16 hospitals in the Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative network . 11 in Victoria and five in four other states . looking at children aged 0.17 years who presented to hospital-based COVID-19 testing clinics, hospital wards, and emergency departments and who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.
Download

Return to top

Clinical Governance

None this edition.

Return to top

Construction and Health Infrastructure

None this edition.

Return to top

Dental

20 August

Unregistered dentist pleads guilty to 11 charges
An unregistered Victorian dentist who continued to practise has been fined $5,000 after pleading guilty to 11 charges brought by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). John Pulvirenti, whose registration with the Dental Board of Australia (the Board) lapsed in 2018, pleaded guilty in the Magistrates Court of Victoria to three charges of holding himself out as a dentist when he was not registered and eight charges of performing a restricted dental act in breach of the National Law. Ahpra and the Board protect the public by ensuring that only registered health practitioners who are suitably trained and qualified can be registered.
Download

19 August

Australian Dental Sector Working Group
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said that key discussion points of the working group included:
- Work that had occurred since the previous meeting, including updated guidance published on the TGA website, webinars, meetings, requirements in relation to annual reporting for custom-made devices, and briefings provided to the Government.
- Ways for the TGA to improve its outreach to training and education institutions providing training in dental technology; and
- The suitability of current Global Medical Device Nomenclature Terms for describing dental and orthodontic appliances supplied in Australia, noting that many Terms refer to 'custom-made' and that additional guidance would help sponsors to identify the most appropriate terms.
Download

Return to top

Disabilities

18 August

PSA welcomes Roadmap to improve the health of the intellectually disabled
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) supports the Government's plan to improve the health of Australians living with intellectual disability. Last Friday, 13th August, the Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt launched the National Roadmap for Improving the Health of People with Intellectual Disability. This comprehensive plan will look to improve the health outcomes of people with intellectual disability in Australia over the next decade, with the Government initially committing $19.3 million to fund the first actions of the Roadmap.
Download

17 August

Financial support for NDIS providers in Sydney
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) providers in Sydney COVID-19 hotspots will be supported by temporary financial assistance measures to ensure people with disability continue to receive the supports they need. Minister for the NDIS Senator Linda Reynolds announced payments for registered NDIS providers delivering Assistance with Daily Life supports to NDIS participants in affected areas. 'Eligible providers can receive a payment from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to provide immediate cash flow relief,' Minister Reynolds said.
Download

16 August

NSW: Media Release
The NSW Disability Council expressed deep concern for the students, their families and staff of the Giant Steps School in Gladesville. Having children with Autism who often need the routine of school, and who can be very frightened by trips to hospital makes this outbreak even harder for them. The fact that many of the school community are Phase 1b and should have had earlier access to vaccinations is unacceptable to all in the community and in particular shows large gaps for people with disabilities and their families and communities that surround them. At this point the NSW Disability Council wants no blame shifting between levels of government, it just wants to make sure that all people with disabilities and those who support them are vaccinated to protect vulnerable communities
Download

13 August

Improving health outcomes for people with intellectual disability
The Government has released the landmark National Roadmap for Improving the Health of People with Intellectual Disability, which aims to address the serious health inequities faced by people with intellectual disability. Compared with the general population, people with intellectual disability are likely to experience more than twice the rate of avoidable deaths, twice the rate of emergency department and hospital admissions, substantially higher rates of physical and mental health conditions, and significantly lower rates of preventive healthcare, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt.
Download

Return to top

Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

None this edition.

Return to top

E-Health

None this edition.

Return to top

Education and Training

None this edition.

Return to top

Funding

16 August

GST and health
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) outlined that medical services are GST-free. A medical service is:
-a service for which a Medicare benefit is payable
-any other service supplied by or on behalf of a medical practitioner or
-approved pathology practitioner that is generally accepted in the medical
-profession as being necessary for the appropriate treatment of the recipient of the supply.
The recipient of the supply by the medical professional will not always be the patient. In some cases, it may be another business. Some health services are not GST-free, including cosmetic procedures where no Medicare benefit is payable - for example, removal of a tattoo.
Download

Return to top

Health Professionals

18 August

Proposed reform package to 'top discussions' at SA rural doctors conference
A proposed new reform package to better support rural GPs who also provide medical services at SA's rural hospitals will be a key discussion item at a critical forum of SA's rural doctors in Adelaide. The forum is being held on Saturday, as part of the Rural Doctors Association of South Australia's (RDASA) annual Masterclass conference. The Masterclass provides rural doctors from across South Australia with an opportunity to undertake important upskilling in key areas of rural medical practice.
Download

17 August

NSW: Mr Michael Azzam - Pharmacist - Registration Cancelled
The Health Care Complaints Commission prosecuted a complaint against, pharmacist Mr Michael Azzam before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The complaint alleged that Mr Azzam:
- Misappropriated baby formula with a value of $20,000 and sold it onto a third party for his own financial benefit; and
- Sold Schedule 4 drugs with the total value of just over $40,000 in circumstances where he used a 'NOODnet' account to process the sale, did so for his own financial benefit, and forged and/or misused prescriptions.
On 5 August 2021, the Tribunal found Mr Azzam guilty, cancelled Mr Azzam's registration, and prohibited him from seeking review of the order for two years.
Download

NSW: Mr Sevan Naamo - Pharmacist - Registration cancelled
The Health Care Complaints Commission prosecuted a complaint against pharmacist Mr Sevan Naamo before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal ('the Tribunal'). The On 5 August 2021, the Tribunal found Mr Naamo guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct. The Tribunal imposed a formal reprimand and cancelled Mr Naamo's registration, with a non-review period of five years.
Download

NSW: Health System Understaffed and Unprotected
The rising number of COVID cases in health care workers in NSW is a result the Berejiklian Government's preference for building shiny new hospitals over ensuring there are enough adequately trained nurses and other frontline healthcare workers, said NSW Greens MP and Health spokesperson Cate Faehrmann. 'NSW Health has had eighteen months since the start of the pandemic, and actually long before then, to ensure the state's health system and frontline healthcare workers could be adequately protected from COVID,' said Ms Faehrmann.
Download

16 August

NSW: Dr Tharumalingam Sinnathurai - Medical practitioner - Professional misconduct
The Health Care Complaints Commission prosecuted a complaint against general practitioner, Dr Tharumalingam Sinnathurai, before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal). The complaint alleged that during two consultations in early March and late April 2019, the practitioner breached professional boundaries with two female patients, one being aged 18 years, and the other aged 29 years. In July 2021, the Tribunal found most of the allegations proven and that it amounted to professional misconduct. The Tribunal will determine its protective orders following a Stage 2 hearing in October 2021.
Download

Return to top

Hospitals

17 August

Elective surgery backlog 'serious'
A significant number of patients are waiting for elective surgery, 18 months after the first COVID-19 enforced shut down of procedures. It will be some time before the backlog can be addressed, said Australian Private Hospitals Association CEO Michael Roff. 'We estimated there were 340,000 episodes of care 'missing' from private hospitals in 2020. Taking into account the six months to the end of June, we now estimate that figure has fallen to 290,000, but it will still take a considerable amount of time to work through these cases. This is a serious situation for those affected patients and the healthcare system.'
Download

TAS: Delivering an elective surgery plan
The Tasmanian Government's elective surgery increase is underpinned by a clear roadmap for the delivery of a sustainable statewide elective surgery and endoscopy program over the next four years, said Tasmanian Minister for Health Jeremy Rockliff. The Statewide Elective Surgery Four-Year Plan 2021-25 delivers on a commitment outlined in the First 100 Day Plan, and importantly is clinician led and patient focused. The health and wellbeing of Tasmanians is an absolute priority for the Government and while the latest data for June showed some encouraging improvements to the elective surgery waitlist, with a decrease of nearly 1000 people, there is more to do.
Download

Return to top

Insurance

17 August

APRA releases quarterly private health insurance statistics for June 2021
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) released its quarterly private health insurance (PHI) publications for the June 2021 quarter. The publications provide industry aggregate summaries of key financial and membership statistics for the private health insurance industry. In the year to 30 June 2021, industry profitability improved, driven by stronger insurance profits and investment income for the year. Premium growth increased, following reductions in the year to June 2020. Claims growth remained flat, and was partially impacted by movements in insurers' Deferred Claims Liabilities (DCL). Net margins increased to 5.0 per cent in the year ending 30 June 2021.
Download

Return to top

Medicare

None this edition.

Return to top

Men's Health

None this edition.

Return to top

Mental Health

19 August

TAS: Mental Health Peer Workforce Coordinator appointed
The Tasmanian Government has appointed a Mental Health Peer Workforce Coordinator. This is in line with its commitment of $1.9 million over three years to deliver a Peer Workforce Coordinator and establish a Youth Peer Worker model. The appointment is a joint initiative between the Tasmanian Department of Health and Primary Health Tasmania, reflecting the importance of that ongoing collaboration to create an integrated mental health system, said Tasmanian Minister for Health Jeremy Rockliff.
Download

16 August

New headspace services for young Australians in Ocean Grove
Young Australians across the Bellarine will now have easier access to mental health services when and where they need it most, with the opening of a new headspace satellite service. Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt said young people have been significantly affected by the impacts of bushfires, floods and COVID-19, and access to mental health services and support was more important than ever. Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention David Coleman and Senator for Victoria Senator Sarah Henderson said mental health and suicide prevention remained one of the Government's highest priorities.
Download

Young Indigenous Australians 'Take a Step' for Mental Health
A new advertising campaign was launched that is designed and developed by young Indigenous Australians to promote mental health and reduce youth suicide in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. With support from Elders and communities, Take a Step campaign encourages young people to recognise when they might need support, and explore practical things they can do to better their mental health. The Government provided $1.5 million to headspace in 2019 to develop the awareness campaign. Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt and Assistant Minister Coleman said reducing youth suicide in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is one of the Morrison Government's highest priorities.
Download

NSW: Eligible authorised workers to be given vaccine priority
Tens of thousands of eligible authorised workers in western and south-western Sydney LGAs of concern have been offered priority COVID-19 vaccinations at selected NSW Health vaccination clinics listed below between August 16 and 22. This follows the Super Sunday event at Sydney Olympic Park and South Western Sydney Vaccination centre, where almost 10,000 people from construction industries and university students received AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccinations.
Download

VIC: Demand for youth mental health service highest in Victoria, new data shows
Harrowing new data from the Kids Helpline shows the emotional toll Daniel Andrews' lockdowns are taking on the youngest Victorians. Victoria recorded the highest demand for the mental health support service than anywhere in the nation with a 68 per cent increase in May to July this year, from 3190 calls to 3632 per week. By comparison, calls increased about 50 per cent in both New South Wales and South Australia. Victorian Shadow Minister for Mental Health Emma Kealy said the isolation of lockdown was weighing heavy on young people, aged between 5 and 25 years old.
Download

12 August

NSW: Lockdown support - NSW Government boosts virtual services for new parents struggling in lockdown
Parents of newborns and toddlers impacted by the current COVID restrictions can access a range of free virtual early childhood health services, thanks to a $348,000 NSW Government grant to Karitane. NSW Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the not-for-profit parenting support service has recorded its highest ever number of referrals in the last four weeks, many from parents struggling to cope with recent restrictions. 'It takes a village to raise a child, especially in those crucial first 5 years of life,' Mrs Taylor said. 'But the impact of COVID-19 has meant that many parents don't have the in-person support of extended family, friends and neighbours.'
Download

Return to top

Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System

None this edition.

Return to top

Pharmaceuticals and Regulation

19 August

TGA approves name change of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca to VAXZEVRIA
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved AstraZeneca's submission to change the name of its COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca to VAXZEVRIA. The name is now consistent with that used overseas, including in the European Union and Canada. This is expected to alleviate confusion and further clarify that the vaccine produced by CSL and Seqirus in Melbourne is the same as that produced internationally. This name change will also help facilitate international recognition for Australians who have been vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Download

18 August

Advertising nicotine vaping products
The TGA has published a revised TGA advertising permission allowing pharmacies and pharmacy marketing to groups to promote, through certain media, that they are able to dispense nicotine vaping products (such as nicotine e-cigarettes, nicotine pods and liquid nicotine) on prescription. The revised advertising permission replaces the permission published in July 2021 to provide greater clarity for pharmacies and pharmacy groups on what is allowed whilst not acting as a 'push' for ever users, particularly youth.
Download

If you have any issues viewing this e-mail, please contact LexisNexis Capital Monitor on 02 6100 0801 or help@capmon.com

Subscribe | Unsubscribe | Privacy Statement | Contact Us | Twitter | Linkedin

© 2021 LexisNexis Capital Monitor

COPYRIGHT WARNING: This Newsletter is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced, copied or redistributed, in part or in whole, without the express permission of LexisNexis Capital Monitor.

WARNING - This email is confidential and may contain copyright material. If you are not the intended recipient of LexisNexis Capital Monitor original e-mail, please notify by return e-mail, delete your copy of the message, and accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused. Republication or re-dissemination, including posting to news groups or web pages, is strictly prohibited without the express prior consent of LexisNexis Capital Monitor. © 2021 Reed International Books Australia Pty Ltd  (ABN 70 001 002 357) trading as LexisNexis. LexisNexis and the Knowledge Burst logo are registered trademarks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., and used under license.