This Newsletter covers Federal and State policy and legislative developments in the area of health. Copies of documents referred to can be obtained by clicking on the reference in this Newsletter or through Capital Monitor's collection at www.capitalmonitor.com.au or from the source quoted.
Major Announcements
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
30 September
NDIA and Pharmacy Guild work together to boost NDIS vaccination rates
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and The Pharmacy Guild Australia have joined forces to make it easier for NDIS participants to book and access COVID-19 vaccinations through local pharmacies. Minister for the NDIS Linda Reynolds said it was another important step in protecting the disability community from the virus - and in increasing the number of vaccinated participants. 'This important partnership with the Pharmacy Guild will make it easier for participants who can, and choose, to be vaccinated to book and receive that vaccination, knowing they are supported in doing so,' Minister Reynolds said.
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RACGP gives thumbs up to Pfizer and Moderna eligibility expansion
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is welcoming the Federal Government's move to expand eligibility for the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to all people aged 60 and over nationwide. RACGP President Dr Karen Price said the decision was a positive step forward in the vaccine rollout. 'It is vital that people aged 60 and over are vaccinated right away,' she said.
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First Nations vaccination gap worsens
Vaccination rates for First Nations Australians are falling further behind, not catching up. Just a fortnight after the Government promised a vaccine blitz in 30 communities, new data shows the vaccination gap has blown out across the country. This is a national shame. This data would not even be public if advocates had not demanded it, and Labor had not moved in the Senate to compel its release, said Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney and Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler.
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New Caledonia COVID outbreak
Labor is deeply concerned at the severe COVID-19 outbreak being experienced in New Caledonia, one of Australia's valued Pacific Island partner countries. The latest World Health Organisation figures show New Caledonia has reported 7,040 new COVID cases since the start of September after having had only 136 cases during the previous 17 months. Tragically, 114 people have died from COVID in the current outbreak in New Caledonia, according to the latest figures, said Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy.
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PM puts master of disaster in charge of 'pick and mix' vaccine passports
The Government that shirked responsibility for fighting bushfires and building quarantine centres - is now handballing the responsibility for vaccine certificates to the states and territories. Instead of one national app for people to prove their vaccination status, local travellers, businesspeople and tourists will be faced with the unwieldy prospect of having to hook their myGov vaccine certificate up to eight individual state and territory apps on their smartphone, said Shadow Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill Shorten and Shadow Assistant Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Kimberley Kitching.
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ACT: COVID-19 Update - 30 September 2021
There have been 31 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the ACT. Of these cases, 17 are linked to known cases or ongoing clusters. Six (6) cases were in quarantine during their infectious period, 17 spent varying degrees of time in the community while infectious and eight (8) remain under early investigation. There are now 588 cases who have recovered with 21 in the past 24 hours. This means there are now 246 active cases associated with this outbreak, said ACT Health.
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ACT: Closure of Calvary COVID-19 mass vaccination clinic
With the confirmation of increased Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine supplies and opening of mRNA vaccines to everyone aged 12 years and over, we will be closing the Calvary Public Hospital COVID-19 vaccination clinic from next Friday 8 October 2021. Only 30 first dose bookings and 1,178 second dose bookings at the clinic remain, which will be brought forward and managed. AstraZeneca vaccine also remains widely available across the ACT at participating GPs and selected pharmacies, said ACT Health.
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ACT: mRNA vaccines now available for everyone aged 60 years and over
The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are now available for everyone aged 60 and over in the ACT, said the ACT Department of Health.
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NT: Vaccine rollout picks up pace as new Coolalinga clinic opens
The Territory Government has opened a fourth Top End COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic to further boost the vaccine rollout across the Territory. This facility will be located at Coolalinga Central and complement existing facilities at Marrara, Tracy Vi Hage and Palmerston. Over the next three weeks the Coolalinga COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic will have capacity to administer 600 vaccinations per week, said NT Minister for Health Natasha Fyles and Member for Daly Dheran Young.
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QLD: Four Southeast LGAs, Townsville and Palm Island to enter Stage 2 restrictions at 4pm
Four Local Government Areas in Southeast Queensland along with Townsville and Palm Island will enter stage 2 restrictions from 4pm 30 September. The affected LGAs are Brisbane, Gold Coast, Logan, Moreton Bay, Townsville and Palm Island. Stage 2 restrictions mean the number of people allowed in a home and in public is reduced to 30, including visitors, residents, and children. Weddings and funeral will be capped at 100 attendees. A maximum of 20 people will be allowed to dance at weddings, said Minister for Health Yvette D'Ath and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
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VIC: Victoria to reduce Pfizer dosage interval in early October
With Victoria having hit its 80 per cent first dose target and the Commonwealth providing assurances on forward vaccine supply, the Victorian Government is now able to shorten the interval between Pfizer doses to reach double dose targets faster. Following advice from the public health team, and firmer projections for supply for the final week in October, the Pfizer interval will be reduced to three weeks - commencing 4 October. This means that anyone who has received their first dose of Pfizer will be able to bring forward their second dose - if they choose to, said Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley.
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29 September
Mortality rate declines during the first year of the pandemic
Decreases across the top-five leading causes of death and a reduction in the overall mortality rate highlighted some of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australian mortality in 2020, according to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Director of Mortality Statistics at the ABS, Lauren Moran, said while the top-five causes in Australia remained the same in 2020, with heart disease still the leading cause of death, it was the first time the rate of death for each had all fallen since 2008-09. Dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) ranked second, while strokes, lung cancer and chronic lower respiratory diseases rounded out the top-five.
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80 percent roadmap is 80 per cent OK
The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) has welcomed the NSW Government's 80 Per Cent Roadmap, saying it was the closest a state has come to properly protecting rural communities. RDAA President-Elect, Dr Megan Belot, said that starting to open at 70 per cent, but still protecting rural and regional areas that may have lower vaccination rates, was on the right track. 'We are pleased to see the roadmap, as announced by Premier Berejiklian this week, was adjusted in an effort to protect regional areas until December,' Dr Belot said.
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RACGP urges Queenslanders to roll up their sleeves
The RACGP is urging Queenslanders to receive a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible. Despite recent events such as the Walk-In Weekend resulting in many vaccines being delivered, the latest figures reveal that 45.6% of the state's population have received two COVID-19 vaccine doses. South Australia, West Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland have announced that people aged 60 and over can opt for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as well as the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
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South Australia
QLD: Walk-ins accepted at all Queensland vaccination clinics
The Government will offer walk-in vaccinations at all clinics throughout Queensland. Queensland Premier Palaszczuk said following on from the success of the Super Pfizer Weekend, Queensland Health's vaccination locations would pivot to a walk-in model. 'Getting vaccinated is absolutely crucial when it comes to ending the pandemic, rebuilding our economy and preserving our way of life here in Queensland,' the Premier said. 'Walk-ins have been successful so far and with more supply, we want to make it as easy as possible for all Queenslanders to get vaccinated.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW Health recorded 863 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm. Three new cases were acquired overseas, and seven previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 61,231. Sadly, NSW Health is reporting the deaths of fifteen people with COVID-19 - eight men and seven women. One person had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, five people had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and nine people were not vaccinated.
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NT: Statement on Royal Darwin Hospital Capacity Management - Code Yellow
A Code Yellow has been called for Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) due to peaks in hospital capacity. A Code Yellow enacts a number of practices to allow the hospital to closely manage the peak until pressures ease. Patient safety is a priority and the dedicated staff at RDH work hard to ensure Territorians continue to receive the best patient centred care possible in these periods of high demand. Category two and three elective surgery have temporarily been postponed so that patients with more urgent care needs can be admitted to hospital. NT Health will contact impacted patients as soon as possible with a new surgery date. Emergency surgery will continue as normal.
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WA: COVID-19 update 29 September 2021
WA Health is reporting no new cases of COVID-19. The State's total remains at 1096. To date, 1083 people have recovered from the virus in WA. WA Health is monitoring four active COVID-19 cases in hotel quarantine. The Melbourne man who allegedly breached border restrictions to attend the AFL Grand Final returned an inconclusive result following a GeneXpert test for COVID-19 - and a PCR test has now returned a negative result.
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28 September
ACCC to reauthorise coordinated health provider response to COVID
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) proposed to re-authorise the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria (the Various States and Territories) to permit them to continue to coordinate with various health service providers, in order to maximise the effectiveness of their responses to the continued COVID-19 pandemic. The health departments of the Various States and Territories, including public hospitals and other public healthcare facilities, seek authorisation to allow coordination between themselves and various participating private healthcare providers, with a view to having those providers supplying resources and services to the overall response to the COVID-19 pandemic being coordinated by the Various States and Territories.
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27 September
COVID-19 rapid antigen point-of-care and self-tests
The Department of Health said that the use of COVID-19 rapid antigen point-of-care tests is one part of Australia's strategy to combat COVID-19. The following information is provided so that rapid antigen tests are supplied for use by relevant health practitioners, and in appropriate circumstances. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is progressing work that would allow the provision of self-tests (home-use tests) for COVID-19 in the future. Information and guidance are also provided below to allow sponsors to register their interest in supplying home-use tests. There are a number of ways for how we test for COVID-19 in Australia.
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COVID-19 vaccination information kiosks open now in Qld and WA
The Department of Health said that COVID-19 vaccination information kiosks are now open in shopping centres and at festivals in Queensland and Western Australia to help book a vaccination appointment.
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QLD: Gold Coast vaccination rollout ramps up with two new hubs at Coomera and Tugun
The Queensland Government will supercharge the Gold Coast's vaccination rollout - opening two new vaccination clinics in two weeks across the Coast. Queensland Premier Palaszczuk said the new clinics would complement the city's largest hub at Broadbeach which is currently administering up to 2800 vaccinations per day. 'Our border is our first line of defence against the Delta variant getting into Queensland,' the Premier said. 'Recently, we've seen cases from Sydney reach as far north as Byron Bay.'
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VIC: Victoria boosts GPs and pharmacies for vaccine push
The Victorian Government is offering grants of $4,000 and up to $10,000 to GPs and community pharmacies in 11 key Local Government Areas across Melbourne, helping them to turbocharge the local rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 Vaccination Enhancement Grants will help participating providers use their full vaccine allocations and promote points of access within their local communities, supporting them to fund additional workforce or operational costs associated with the effort. With this support, primary care providers across Melbourne's outer suburbs have the potential to deliver innovative, large-scale vaccination sessions in central and familiar locations, said Victorian Premier Andrews
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW Health recorded 787 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19. One new case was acquired overseas, and 10 previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 59,520. NSW Health reported the deaths of 12 people with COVID-19 - six men and six women. Four people were in their 60s, two people were in their 70s, four people were in their 80s, and two people were in their 90s. Six people were not vaccinated, five people had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and one person had received two doses.
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26 September
QLD: New campaign encourages Queenslanders to get vaccinated
For the love of family, friends and time together, of brunches and long lunches, and travel and adventure - get the COVID-19 vaccine. That's the message that will be delivered to millions of people as part of a new campaign being delivered by the Queensland Government to encourage more Queenslanders to get vaccinated. The 'for the love of' campaign has been developed to remind Queenslanders that getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to protect yourself, said Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles.
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VIC: Regions to show the way in vaccinated economy trials
The Victorian Government will conduct trials in businesses and events across highly vaccinated parts of regional Victoria to help the state open progressively as a vaccinated economy when we meet the key double-dose thresholds in the Roadmap. Up to 20 vaccinated economy trials will test systems and support in the fortnight before Victoria is aiming to reach the key 70 per cent full vaccination mark on 26 October, triggering greater freedoms for vaccinated people, said Victorian Premier Andrews, Victorian Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula and Victorian Minister for Government Services Danny Pearson.
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VIC: Victoria to hit 80 per cent first dose vaccination target
After another big week of vaccinations, Victoria is set to hit its first vaccination target on the Roadmap to Deliver the National Plan and a modest easing of restrictions will be able to occur. Victoria's Roadmap sets out a hopeful path to opening while also preserving the health system and ensuring Victorians can still get the healthcare they need when they need it most. The Roadmap was developed based on expert modelling from the Burnet Institute and is set against COVID-19 thresholds, said Victorian Premier Andrews and Victorian Minister Foley.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW Health recorded 961 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19. Three new cases were acquired overseas, and 16 previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 58,742. Sadly, NSW Health is reporting the deaths of nine people with COVID-19 - six men and three women. One person was in their 40s, two in their 60s, two in their 70s, and four in their 80s. Eight people were unvaccinated, and one had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
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25 September
NSW: Public health alert - new venues of concern
NSW Health has been notified of new venues of concern across NSW that are associated with confirmed cases of COVID 19. Anyone who attended the following venue at the time listed is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days since they were there, regardless of the result. NSW Health sends a text message to people who have checked in at close-contact venues with further information. We also contact close contacts to advise of isolation and testing requirements. In addition, NSW Health has been notified of new casual contact venues of concern across NSW that are associated with confirmed cases of COVID-19.
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TAS: Processes working to keep COVID out of Tasmania
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said that the health and safety of Tasmanians remains a number one priority as we continue to manage the ongoing threat of COVID-19. The postponement of the Spirit of Tasmania sailings is yet another reminder that the pandemic is not over, and I thank passengers for their patience and crew members for their cooperation as we have dealt with this situation. A total of 17 people have been identified as close contacts of an infectious COVID-19 TTLine contractor who was based in Melbourne, and worked below deck. All are operational crew members, who do not have contact with passengers, working below deck.
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Aged Care
None this edition.
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Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
None this edition.
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Allied Health
30 September
Better hearing services for more Australians
The report of an independent review of the Australian Government's Hearing Services Program has been released. The review was undertaken to provide ideas and recommendations for the government to consider, including ways of ensuring the program improves the outcome of vulnerable Australians who live with hearing loss, by being more client and outcomes focused. Minister for Regional Health David Gillespie said the Government would carefully consider the various recommendations put forward as part of the Review process.
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Children's Health
28 September
New phone app to support children's mental health and wellbeing
The Government launched a new, free phone application with information, ideas and guidance for parents to help them provide additional support their child's mental health and wellbeing. The Raising Healthy Children App was developed by the Raising Children Network as part of its program to support parents' mental health literacy by building knowledge and confidence concerning the social and emotional wellbeing of children. The Government is providing $1.5 million over three years to help fund the program. Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt, said supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young Australians is a high priority for the Government.
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27 September
New milk bank ensures the best start for premature babies in Queensland
Premature babies across Queensland will get live-saving access to breast milk, with a new Government-funded milk bank opening in Brisbane to supply donor human milk to hospitals across the state. Minister Hunt, said human milk was proven to lead to better health outcomes for premature and sick babies who couldn't breast feed. Member for Brisbane Trevor Evans welcomed the opening of the milk bank and Australian Red Cross Lifeblood's commitment to Queensland infants.
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Clinical Governance
30 September
WA: Calls to nationalise WA ambulance services are a bad solution in search of a problem
Union calls to drag WA's ambulance services into the public bureaucracy are misguided and counterproductive, said the CCIWA. Western Australia's health and ambulance ramping challenges do not arise with St John WA. WA's ambulance service is one of Australia's only privately-run providers. Not coincidently, it is the most high-performing service in terms of responsiveness, transparency, and low cost to the taxpayer. St John WA is the only ambulance service in Australia to publicly report key performance indicators online in real time, while public interest data like ambulance ramping statistics are kept confidential by state-run services.
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Construction and Health Infrastructure
None this edition.
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Dental
None this edition.
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Disabilities
30 September
NDIA and Pharmacy Guild work together to boost NDIS vaccination rates
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and The Pharmacy Guild Australia have joined forces to make it easier for NDIS participants to book and access COVID-19 vaccinations through local pharmacies. Minister for the NDIS Linda Reynolds said it was another important step in protecting the disability community from the virus - and in increasing the number of vaccinated participants. 'This important partnership with the Pharmacy Guild will make it easier for participants who can, and choose, to be vaccinated to book and receive that vaccination, knowing they are supported in doing so,' Minister Reynolds said.
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27 September
Disability royal commission report backs push to speed up COVID vax rollout for people with disability
People with Disability Australia (PWDA) said that disability advocates said the Federal Government needs to heed the Disability Royal Commission's latest call for improved vaccination measures to protect the lives of people with disability before states start to open up from COVID lockdowns. The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability released the draft Commissioners' Report of Public hearing 12: The experiences of people with disability, in the context of the Australian Government's approach to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. The report sets out a range of findings and recommendations about the government's vaccine rollout as it affects people with disability, particularly people in residential disability settings and people with intellectual disability.
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Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
None this edition.
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E-Health
None this edition.
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Education and Training
29 September
Colleges collaborate to develop new rural GP anaesthesia qualification
Rural GPs in Australia will be able to access a new rural generalist anaesthesia qualification from 2023 in a collaboration between the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA), the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP). The three medical colleges have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish the one year diploma of rural generalist anaesthesia (DRGA) as part of their ongoing commitment to contemporary, high quality education standards and the health and safety of patients in rural and remote Australia.
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Funding
None this edition.
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Health Professionals
None this edition.
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Hospitals
30 September
DEPT OF HEALTH: PHI 72/21 Hospital and Second-tier Updates - Notice of new or amended hospital declaration status and/or second-tier default benefit eligibility - Names and/or addresses have been updated following confirmation
28 September
ACT: Investing in ACT Ambulance Service
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Mick Gentleman said that the ACT Government increasing investment in the ACT Ambulance Service to ensure that Canberrans continue to get world-class access to emergency health support when they need it. Additional funding of $15.2 million over the next four years through the ACT Budget will continue the transformation of the ACT Ambulance Service, helping modernise and sustain the service with additional behind-the-scenes capability to support growing frontline demand. This includes new Paramedic Duty Officers, Triple Zero Communications Centre staff members, Infection Control Officer, Research and Data Management Officer, ICT Connectivity Support Officer and a Transformation and Capability Development Team.
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Insurance
None this edition.
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Medicare
None this edition.
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Men's Health
None this edition.
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Mental Health
29 September
Government welcomes Interim National Commissioner's Preliminary Interim Report
The Australian Government welcomes the Preliminary Interim Report of the interim National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention, which has been tabled in Parliament. The interim National Commissioner, Dr Bernadette Boss CSC, commenced her work on the Independent Review of Past Defence and Veteran Suicides on 16 November 2020. This Report sets out the duties Dr Boss has undertaken to date, including preliminary findings and initial recommendations. It will form an important foundation for the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which was established on 8 July 2021, said Attorney-General Michaela Cash and Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee.
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Australian suicide rates down during COVID-19
The Government welcomes the release of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Causes of Death, Australia, 2020 report, with Australia recording the greatest drop of deaths in the last decade. Overall last year, Australia recorded 161,300 deaths - this is six per cent less than in 2019. Australia is one of only a small number of countries including New Zealand and Denmark which recorded a lower death rate during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt.
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Data collection and analysis provides important insights to reinforce a national response towards zero suicide
Two key data sets that shine a light on suicide in Australia will be released. The Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) 2020 Causes of Death data and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's (AIHW) 'Serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members who have served since 1985: suicide monitoring 2001 to 2019'. Both data sets create important opportunities to look into the past to inform government and community decisions towards a future with zero suicide. The ABS have released the Causes of Death Data for 2020, where 3,139 deaths were recorded as lives lost to suicide, National Mental Health Commission Chair Mrs Lucy Brogden AM said.
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Latest veteran suicide figures
The latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) figures on veteran suicide are a sobering reminder that we need to do more to tackle this national shame. From 2001 to 2019, we lost 1,273 current and former defence personnel to suicide - or more than five a month - which is almost three times the number previously reported and far more than the number of soldiers killed in combat in Afghanistan. The fourth annual AIHW study found younger veterans, Navy veterans, men who were forced to leave the Australian Defence Force on medical grounds, and female veterans were more likely to take their own lives, said Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel Shayne Neumann.
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ACT: Should psychedelic drugs be part of mental health care in the ACT?
A local researcher is asking Canberrans for their views on treating mental illness with the active ingredients found in ecstasy and 'magic' mushrooms, to inform future policy-making in the ACT. 'I would love for Canberrans with a range of views across the political spectrum partaking in this survey and offering their valued perspective,' said Johnathan Davis MLA, ACT Greens spokesperson on drug harm minimisation.
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WA: Progress on Aboriginal Youth Wellbeing
Western Australia Minister for Mental Health Stephen Dawson has released the first annual progress report tracking the Government's implementation of its Commitment to Aboriginal Youth Wellbeing (the Commitment). The progress report outlines significant actions taken by Government to support the wellbeing of young Aboriginal people since the Commitment was released in March 2020. The progress report also highlights the partnership between Government, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and the Aboriginal community, and the commitment to work collaboratively to make changes to improve the lives of young Aboriginal people and their communities.
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28 September
New phone app to support children's mental health and wellbeing
The Government launched a new, free phone application with information, ideas and guidance for parents to help them provide additional support their child's mental health and wellbeing. The Raising Healthy Children App was developed by the Raising Children Network as part of its program to support parents' mental health literacy by building knowledge and confidence concerning the social and emotional wellbeing of children. The Government is providing $1.5 million over three years to help fund the program. Minister Hunt said supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young Australians is a high priority for the Government.
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System
None this edition.
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Pharmaceuticals and Regulation
30 September
Safeguarding the future of critical medicine supply
The Government is safeguarding Australia's sovereign capability to produce vital nuclear medicines by launching a $30 million project to design a new world-leading manufacturing facility to be built at Lucas Heights in Sydney. About 80 per cent of nuclear medicine isotopes used to fight diseases like cancer are produced by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) at an existing facility at Lucas Heights that is nearing the end of its life. Acting Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Angus Taylor, Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham and Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt said the new facility will not only help to improve health care in Australia, but will also support nearly 1000 highly skilled jobs across the country.
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Landmark PBS Listings to reduce the cost of medicines for Australians
From 1 October 2021, Australians with multiple sclerosis (MS), multiple myeloma, macular degeneration and keratitis will have access to new and expanded medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), reducing the cost of treatment for patients and their families. Kesimpta® (ofatumumab) will be listed on the PBS to treat patients with relapsing-remitting MS. Relapsing-remitting is the most common form of MS with 70 to 75 per cent of people with MS at some point suffering from the relapsing-remitting stage of the disease, said Minister Hunt.
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Court convicts HealthHub247 Pty Ltd and its Director for sports supplements offences
HealthHub247 Pty Ltd (HealthHub247) and its Director have been convicted of the unlawful manufacture, counterfeit, advertising and supply of sports supplements that contain prohibited substances in the current Poisons Standard. These substances, including DMAA(link is external) and DMBA, are of such danger to health they are banned from supply in Australia. The World Anti-Doping Agency(link is external) (WADA) has also banned these substances, said the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
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Medicines Australia arrangements to ensure supply of essential medicines and devices during COVID-19 pandemic to continue
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has granted conditional interim authorisation to Medicines Australia, providing continued legal protection from competition laws for Medicines Australia and its members, the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association and its members, and other entities that have been or in the future will be notified by Medicines Australia to the ACCC (the MA/GBMA Working Group) to be able to, should it be necessary, implement a coordinated strategy in relation to the supply of essential medicines and related supplies in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
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29 September
New vaping laws a start in confronting the nicotine pandemic poisoning children
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) believes new nicotine vaping laws which come into effect this Friday October 1, are timely, with the prevalence of harmful vaping rapidly increasing in the community. The new laws close a loophole in federal legislation which has enabled the unregulated importation and illegal sale of nicotine containing vaping products, or 'e-cigarettes', in each State and Territory. AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid said under the new rules, nicotine containing vaping products will only be able to be accessed via a prescription from a doctor.
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Research
30 September
Pancreatic cancer 'priming' may make chemotherapy more effective
A new approach to 'prime' the tumour environment may improve how effective chemotherapy is for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, one of the most aggressive forms of pancreatic cancer. In preclinical models, a team at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research could enhance the tumours' response to chemotherapy by reducing the stiffness and density of the connective tissue known as the stroma, and reduce cancer spread by up to 50%. The research has paved the way to a clinical trial that will assess whether the therapy approach will be effective for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients.
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28 September
$90 million to help Australians live longer and healthier lives
The Government is opening two medical research grant rounds, worth $90 million to help accelerate Australian-led genomics and cardiovascular research, which will improve and save lives. The grants are available through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and focus on two of the Fund's key initiatives - the Genomics Health Futures Mission ($56 million) and the Cardiovascular Health Mission ($34 million). Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt said Australia was taking a lead role in improving and saving lives-through better detection, prediction and treatment, and better long-term recovery from acute events.
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Bacteria blasting cancer treatment shows promise
A low-cost, non-toxic cancer treatment has been developed by researchers at The Australian National University (ANU). The treatment uses dead bacteria to help kick-start the immune system and shrink cancer. Lead researcher Associate Professor Aude Fahrer said an ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial at The Canberra Hospital has shown positive results and could improve outcomes for patients living with cancer. 'We've treated eight patients as part of this trial,' Associate Professor Fahrer said. 'They were all late-stage patients, but in one case in particular we were able to significantly improve the patient's quality of life.'
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27 September
$25.5 million to support research to improve the quality of life for Australians as they age
The Department of Health said that the Australian Government has announced $25.5 million for research aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of older Australians. Funding is from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). $25.5 million is available from the MRFF's Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission for research that aims to support older Australians:
- maintain their health and quality of life as they age
- live independently for longer
- access quality care when they need it
This grant opportunity will have four streams funding research to support early diagnosis and treatment of conditions that are prevalent among older Australians.
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Men the highest risk group for firearm injuries, deaths
The Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) said that men are injured by guns over 13 times more often than women, and almost nine out of 10 intentional firearm-related self-harm injuries are fatal, according to research published by the Medical Journal of Australia. Research from the University of Sydney, led by Professor Joel Negin from the School of Public Health, set out to describe the burden, geographic distribution, and outcomes of firearm related violence in New South Wales during 2002-2016. 'Firearm-related injuries were recorded for 2390 people; for 849 people, the injuries were caused by assault (36%), for 797 by intentional self-harm (33%), and for 506 by accidents (21%),' Negin and colleagues reported.
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Notification of application
The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has received a licence application (DIR 187) from VRT Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd to conduct a clinical trial of a genetically modified Getah virus as a treatment for cancer. The clinical trial is proposed to take place at Flinders Private Hospital in Bedford Park, South Australia over a period of 5 years. Up to twelve patients would receive seven doses of the GMO over a three month period, with the aim to evaluate the treatment's safety and tolerability. Patients who respond well to the treatment would have the opportunity to continue for an additional two years after the study protocol is complete.
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26 September
New hope for Australians living with brain cancer
Australians living with the most common and deadliest form of brain cancer will be given new hope thanks to a patient-focused clinical trial for Australians with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). The Government's Australian Brain Cancer Mission, in partnership with the Minderoo Foundation and the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation (CBCF), has opened a grant opportunity for researchers to undertake the GBM Adaptive Global Innovative Learning Environment (GBM AGILE) trial for the first time in this country. Minister Hunt said the new grant round would help Australia's world-leading researchers to continue to strive for the Mission's goal to defeat brain cancer.
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Rural, Regional and Remote Health
28 September
Remove barriers to rural GPs working in local hospitals
A new Australian Medical Association (AMA) Position Statement said care to rural, regional and remote communities is being undermined. The AMA is calling for easier pathways for rural doctors to work in their local hospitals and better support remote, regional and rural health in the community. In a new AMA Position Statement on integrating GPs into rural hospitals, the AMA makes a series of recommendations addressing doctor shortages in rural areas, with benefits to local hospitals, better health care for regional communities and which contribute to a more viable sustainable career for rural GPs.
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Women's Health
27 September
New milk bank ensures the best start for premature babies in Queensland
Premature babies across Queensland will get live-saving access to breast milk, with a new Government-funded milk bank opening in Brisbane to supply donor human milk to hospitals across the state. Minister for Health Greg Hunt said human milk was proven to lead to better health outcomes for premature and sick babies who couldn't breast feed. Member for Brisbane Trevor Evans welcomed the opening of the milk bank and Australian Red Cross Lifeblood's commitment to Queensland infants.
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Transcripts
Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler
01 OCT: Transcript of Interview with Belinda King, ABC Northern Tasmania
Subjects: TAS, Nursing shortage, Hospital & primary care preparedness, COVID, Borders, 90% full vaccination, Northern Hospice, Sovereign mRNA manufacturing capability
Minister for Health Greg Hunt
30 SEP: Transcript of Press Conference, Melbourne
Subjects: Vaccinations in Indigenous communities, Opening of borders, Anti-vaccine content on social media, Victoria, GP and pharmacy networks
Department of Health
30 SEP: Transcript of Interview of Lieutenant General, John Frewen, with Laura Jayes, Sky News
Subjects: Vaccination rate, VIC, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, NSW, Indigenous sector
Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese
30 SEP: Transcript of Interview on 2DAYFM - The Morning Crew with Hughesy, Ed and Erin
Subjects: Rabbitohs, Rugby League Grand Final, COVID-19 restrictions
Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler
30 SEP: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Launceston
Subjects: COVID-19 case numbers, Launceston General Hospital, Medical staff, ANMF, Hospital system, Emergency department, Nurses, Vaccination rates
Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler
30 SEP: Transcript of Interview with Mike O'Loughlin, Tasmania Talks
Subjects: Borders opening up, Hospital and primary care preparedness, Nurses, Mental health, Vaccination of disabled & Indigenous Australians, GST
Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience Bridget McKenzie and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
29 SEP: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Melbourne
Subjects: COVID payments, Lockdowns, Climate change, Housing market, Vaccines, COVID disaster payment, JobKeeper, National Cabinet, Restrictions
Assistant Minister to the Attorney-General Amanda Stoker
29 SEP: Transcript of Interview with Neil Breen, 4BC Breakfast
Subjects: COVID-19, Mandatory vaccinations, Immunisation, Public health, QLD, State border closures, Travel restrictions, Fair Work Commission, Police
Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese
29 SEP: Transcript of Interview with Tanya & Steve, Triple M Newcastle
Subjects: Sport, NRL, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Vaccine rollout, COVID-19, State border closures, Travel restrictions, Community, QLD, WA
Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese
29 SEP: Transcript of Interview with Oliver Peterson, 6PR Perth Live
Subjects: Rugby League Grand Final, GST, National plan to reopen, Nuclear submarines, AUKUS, Fed Opp's $300 COVID vaccination incentive, WA Premier, Vaccine rollout
Deputy Leader of the Australian Labor Party Richard Marles
29 SEP: Transcript of Interview with Peter Stefanovic, Sky News First Edition
Subjects: COVID-19, Disaster payments, Economic recovery, Employment, State border closures, Travel restrictions, Vaccine targets
Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler and Shadow Minister for Agriculture Julie Collins
29 SEP: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Hobart
Subjects: Tasmanian hospitals preparation for COVID-19, National plan, Vaccination rates, Vaccine rollout, GST distribution, Disaster payments, Health workforce shortages
Minister for Health Greg Hunt
28 SEP: Transcript of Press Conference, Melbourne
Subjects: Vaccine rollout, Home testing, Child mental health support, National plan, Mandatory vaccination, Indigenous vaccination rates, Net zero emissions, Disability Royal Commission
Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert
28 SEP: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Gold Coast
Subjects: Apprenticeship Commencements Program, Jobs, Employment, Local apprenticeships, Wage subsidy, Pandemic, COVID-19, Public health
Minister for the NDIS Bill Shorten
28 SEP: Transcript of Interview with Karl Stefanovic & Sarrah Le Marquand, Today Show
Subjects: COVID stress on frontline health workers, States' roadmap out of COVID restrictions, Christmas, Nurses, Hospitals, Staff
Shadow Assistant Minister for Financial Services Matt Thistlethwaite
28 SEP: Transcript of Interview with Peter Stefanovic, Sky News
Subjects: NSW roadmap, Ending lockdowns, Vaccine passports, Borders, COVID-19, Restrictions
Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese
28 SEP: Transcript of Press Conference, Sydney
Subjects: Climate change, Net zero by 2050, Glasgow Climate Change Conference, COVID-19, Rapid antigen tests, Reopening Australia, Vaccine rollout, Quarantine
Shadow Minister for the Public Service Katy Gallagher
28 SEP: Transcript of Interview with Kieran Gilbert, Sky News
Subjects: Senate Select Committee on COVID-19, PM, ATAGI, COVID-19, Vaccine rollout, Vaccine supply shortages, Hospital capacity, International borders
Member for Canberra Alicia Payne
28 SEP: Transcript of Interview with Stephen Cenatiempo, 2CC Breakfast
Subjects: Interstate travel exemptions, Carers support, Bulk billing, Constituent work in lockdown, National Health Co-Op
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
26 SEP: Transcript of Interview with Mark Riley, Weekend Sunrise
Subjects: Australia-US partnership, Quad, Indo-Pacific relations, Net zero emissions targets, Discussion of Emissions Trading Scheme, Vaccination rates, Lockdowns
Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt
26 SEP: Transcript of Press Conference, Melbourne
Subjects: COVID-19 Vaccine rollout, Brain Cancer Mission, Vaccination rates, Vaccine targets, Moderna, Pfizer, Pharmacy vaccination sites
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud
26 SEP: Transcript of Interview with Kieran Gilbert, Sky News Sunday Agenda
Subjects: Treasurer's address, Net-zero emissions targets, Renewable energy technology, AUKUS, Agricultural sector, Fossil fuels, Vaccine rollout
Department of Health
26 SEP: Opinion Piece by Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Mental Health, Dr Ruth Vine - 'The mental health benefits of vaccination'
Subjects: COVID-19 vaccination, Mental health, Local outbreaks, Restrictions
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
25 SEP: Transcript of Virtual Remarks to the United Nations General Assembly
Subjects: COVID-19 pandemic, International vaccine rollout, Australia vaccine targets, Vaccination rates, Indo-Pacific, Supporting vaccine rollout, ASEAN
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention David Coleman
25 SEP: Transcript of Speech, Allied Health Awards Virtual 2020-21 Gala
Subjects: COVID-19, Mental health, Beyond Blue, Mental health reform, National Mental Health Workforce Strategy
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
24 SEP: Transcript of Remarks, Quad Leaders Meeting, Washington DC, USA
Subjects: Indo-Pacific, Vaccination supplies, International vaccine rollout, Zero-emissions targets, Renewable technology, Cyber-technology and security
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce
24 SEP: Transcript of Interview with Leigh Sales, ABC 7.30
Subjects: Melbourne protests, Glasgow climate talks, 2050 net zero, Easing of COVID-19 restrictions, Domestic terrorism, Member for Dawson, Renewable energy, Vaccine rollout
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
24 SEP: Transcript of Interview with Natalie Barr, Sunrise
Subjects: Climate speech, AFL, John Elliott, Economic support, Vaccine rollout, Victorian Premier, Net zero emissions
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
23 SEP: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Washington DC, USA
Subjects: Quad partnership, Clean energy, Vaccine rollout, Climate change, Technology, Manufacturing sector, Defence partnerships, AUKUS, National plan, France, Borders
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Reports
COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report - 30-09-2021
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Vaccination against COVID-19 is the most effective way to reduce deaths and severe illness from infection. Millions of people have received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring ever conducted in Australia. Three COVID-19 vaccines are currently in use in Australia - Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca), Comirnaty (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Moderna). To be registered for use, these vaccines have met the TGA's high standards for quality, safety and effectiveness. Like all medicines, COVID-19 vaccines may have some side effects (also known as adverse events). The overwhelming majority of these side effects are mild and resolve within a few days. More serious side effects can occur after vaccination but are very rare.
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Australian public assessment report for Fluticasone furoate / umeclidinium / vilanterol
Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Asthma is a common, chronic respiratory disease affecting approximately 10% of Australians (2.5 million) in 2016.2 It is characterised by variable symptoms of shortness of breath, cough, wheeze and airflow limitation. The degree of symptom burden and airflow limitation can vary over time. It is a heterogeneous disease with different underlying disease pathophysiological processes and phenotypes. It can be associated with other conditions such as allergic predispositions, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obesity. The COPD-asthma overlap tends to be found in older patients and is associated with a higher risk of exacerbations and complications.
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Report of the Independent review of the Hearing Services Program
Department of Health
The Hearing Services Program Review Expert Panel (Expert Panel) makes the following recommendations to reform the Hearing Services Program. The focus is on optimising outcomes for the program's clients; improving the equity, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of service delivery; ensuring good governance; and modernising key components of the program.
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Educating the Nurse of the Future - Report of the Independent Review of Nursing Education
Department of Health
Nursing, the largest of the health professions, plays a crucial role in determining national health outcomes. There are three legally-protected nursing titles in Australia: enrolled nurses (ENs), registered nurses (RNs), and nurse practitioners (NPs). ENs, who must complete a Vocational Education and Training (VET) diploma in nursing, work under the supervision of RNs. Registered nurses practise independently and hold bachelor's level qualifications. NPs are educated at the master's degree level to manage entire episodes of health care. Eighty per cent of nurses are RNs, 20 per cent are ENs, and less than one per cent are NPs.
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Response to the Educating the Nurse of the Future report
Department of Health
There are approximately 395,000 nurses registered in Australia and every day they are saving and improving lives. In all settings, across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas nurses are working to achieve quality, safe health outcomes for all Australians. The Australian Government values the work of nurses and is committed to making sure the highly qualified and skilled nursing workforce is available to those who need it. Australians also recognise the outstanding work of Australia's nurses and demonstrates this by consistently voting nurses as the most trusted profession.
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National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program
Department of Health
This Manual outlines the operational requirements of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care (NATSIFAC) Program. It is designed for service providers funded under the NATSIFAC Program and forms part of their NATSIFAC Program grant agreement. The NATSIFAC Program Manual 2021 replaces the 2019 version of this Manual. This Manual may be updated or varied from time to time. The Department of Health (DoH) reserves the right to review and amend this Manual as deemed necessary and will provide reasonable notice of any amendments.
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An evaluation of the therapeutic value, benefits and risks of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and psilocybin for the treatment of mental, behavioural or developmental disorders
Department of Health
There has been increasing interest in the use of psychedelics in the treatment of mental, behavioural or developmental disorders, including methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and psilocybin. This is reflected in the breakthrough designation by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) of MDMA and psilocybin for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and treatment-resistant depression, respectively. Other work suggests that psilocybin may also be effective for treating anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and end-of-life distress.
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National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program (QI Program) Manual 2.0 - Part B
Department of Health
Participation in the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program (QI Program) has been a requirement for all approved providers of residential care services since 1 July 2019. The QI Program requires quarterly reporting against five quality indicators across crucial care areas - pressure injuries, physical restraint, unplanned weight loss, falls and major injury, and medication management. The objectives of the QI Program are:
- For providers to have robust, valid data to measure and monitor their performance and support continuous quality improvement in the care they provide to aged care recipients.
- Over time, to give consumers transparent information about quality in aged care to assist decision making.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-out
Department of Health
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Public hearing 12: The experiences of people with disability, in the context of the Australian Government's approach to the COVID 19 vaccine rollout
Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation of People with Disability
The Royal Commission conducted a public hearing in Sydney considering 'The experiences of people with disability, in the context of the Australian Government's approach to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout' (Public hearing 12). The issues addressed at Public hearing 12 included when, why and in what circumstances decisions were taken to defer the delivery of vaccines to 'disability care residents and workers'. This is the Report of the three Commissioners who participated in Public hearing 12. It is based on the evidence given at the hearing but also includes a factual account of significant developments in the rollout of vaccines to people with disability after the hearing.
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Submissions of Counsel Assisting following Public Hearing 12
Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation of People with Disability
The Royal Commission held a public hearing in Sydney on 17 May 2021 (Public hearing 12) to examine the Australian Government's 'COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-out Strategy'1 (Strategy) for the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to people with disability living in residential settings,2 who were included in the first phase of the Strategy (Phase 1a) and for people with disability generally. The Chair of the Royal Commission, the Honourable Ronald Sackville AO QC, and three Commissioners, The Honourable Roslyn Atkinson AO, Ms Barbara Bennett PSM, and Dr Rhonda Galbally AC, sat at the hearing.
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Written submissions from the Commonwealth
Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
The Australian Government, as represented by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Social Services (DSS), provides the following submissions in relation to the issues raised and evidence adduced during the course of Public Hearing 12 on 17 May 2021 concerning 'The experiences of people with disability, in the context of the Australian Government's approach to the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out', as well as in response to the submissions of Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission (Submissions of Counsel Assisting) dated 12 July 2021.
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Responding to disaster and pandemic issues
Australian National Audit Office (ANAO)
Since its emergence in late 2019, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic that is impacting on human health and national economies. From February 2020 the Australian Government introduced a range of policy measures in response to COVID-19 that included:
- travel restrictions and international border control and quarantine arrangements;
- financial support for affected individuals, businesses and communities; and
- support for essential services and procurement of critical medical supplies.
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Causes of Death, Australia, 2020
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
The unprecedented events of 2020 has raised questions about their impact on the health of the Australian population. In January many regions in Australia were in the midst of a severe bushfire season. At this time there was also growing concern globally about COVID-19, a respiratory infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. By 11 March the World Health Organization had declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
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Provisional Mortality Statistics, Jan 2020 - Jun 2021
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
In 2021, 71,503 deaths occurred by 30 June and were registered by 31 August. Counts of deaths were above historical averages for each month of 2021. Age-standardised mortality rates were below historical averages for each month of 2021.
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Heart, stroke and vascular disease-Australian facts
Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW)
Heart, stroke and vascular disease: Australian facts provides key information for monitoring cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Australian population, focussing on cardiovascular risk factors, major subtypes, treatment and impact. Incidence, prevalence, hospitalisation and mortality are described for each disease, with additional analysis of priority population groups. An interactive data tool allows for further exploration of CVD hospitalisation and mortality data.
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Serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members who have served since 1985: suicide monitoring 2001 to 2019
Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW)
This is the AIHW's fourth annual report on suicide among permanent, reserve and ex-serving ADF members. Previous editions included members with at least one day of ADF service since 1 January 2001. The current report expands on this earlier work by including members with at least one day of ADF service since 1 January 1985, following extensive investigation and validation of historical data sources. This more than doubles the population under consideration; 149,000 ex-serving ADF members in addition to the 125,000 ex-serving ADF member population in previous reports.
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Impact of COVID-19 on cancer-related medical services & procedures in Australia in 2020 - Examination of MBS claims data for 2020
Cancer Australia
Substantial reductions in procedures relating to cancer-related investigations and treatment were reported in 2020 by service providers in Australia as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Any potential delays in diagnoses and treatment in response to these reductions in services may lead to more advanced stage of cancer at diagnosis and poorer patient outcomes. The extent of these impacts were previously examined by Cancer Australia for the top five incident cancers - breast, colorectal, lung, prostate and skin cancer - through analysis of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) claims data for cancer-related medical services and procedures in Australia.
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29 SEP 2021: WA, DEPT OF HEALTH: Chief Health Officer Approval to Request COVID-19 Testing on Persons who are Presenting to be Tested under the Transport, Freight and Logistics Directions (No 5)
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Hansards
Federal
22 SEP 2021: SENATE COMMITTEE HANSARD: Community Affairs References Committee - Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and related entities under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law - Canberra
07 JUL 2021: REPS COMMITTEE HANSARD: Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport - Approval processes for new drugs and novel medical technologies in Australia - Canberra
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Court Cases
None this edition.
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New Regulations
Federal
National Health (Highly Specialised Drugs Program) Special Arrangement Amendment (October Update) Instrument 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01375
The purpose of this Instrument, made under subsection 100(2) of the Act, is to amend the National Health (Highly Specialised Drugs Program) Special Arrangement 2021 (PB 27 of 2021) (the Special Arrangement), to make changes to the Special Arrangement relating to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program.
Explanatory Statement
Legislation (Deferral of Sunsetting-National Health (Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy) Special Arrangement) Certificate 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01374
Sunsetting is the automatic repeal of legislative instruments after a fixed period. The Australian Government's sunsetting framework is established under Part 4 of Chapter 3 of the Legislation Act. The purpose of the sunsetting framework is to ensure that legislative instruments are kept up to date and only remain in force for so long as they are needed.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy) Special Arrangement Amendment Instrument 2021 (No. 9)
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01372
The purpose of this Instrument, made under subsection 100(2) of the Act, is to amend the National Health (Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy) Special Arrangement 2011 (PB 79 of 2011) (the Special Arrangement) to make changes relating to the Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Listed Drugs on F1 or F2) Amendment Determination 2021 (No. 7)
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01371
This Instrument makes amendments to the Principal Determination. This Instrument amends the Principal Determination by adding to F1 two new drugs, brolucizumab and ofatumumab and also removes three currently listed drugs, nadroparin, nedocromil and nilutamide, from F1 as these drugs will no longer be PBS listed. In addition, it also moves three currently listed F1 drugs: darunavir, sunitinib and teriparatide to F2. It also removes two supply only drugs, cefalotin and cimetidine from F2 as these drugs will no longer be PBS listed.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Continued Dispensing - Emergency Measures) Amendment Determination 2021 (No. 9)
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01370
The purpose of this legislative instrument, made under subsection 89A(3) of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act), is to amend the National Health (Continued Dispensing - Emergency Measures) Determination 2020 to make changes to the pharmaceutical benefits eligible to be provided as a Continued Dispensing supply.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Amendment Instrument 2021 (No. 9)
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01369
The purpose of this legislative instrument, made under sections 84AF, 84AK, 85, 85A, 88 and 101 of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act), is to amend the National Health (Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Instrument 2012 (PB 71 of 2012) to make changes to the pharmaceutical benefits listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and related matters.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Originator Brand) Amendment Determination 2021 (No. 5)
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01368
This legislative instrument amends the National Health (Originator Brand) Determination 2015 (PB 100 of 2015) (the Principal Instrument) to determine the originator brand of a pharmaceutical item for three drugs new to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) F2 formulary. In addition, it also determines a new originator brand of a pharmaceutical item for an existing drug on F2 with a new manner of administration. These changes are taking place on 1 October 2021.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Price and Special Patient Contribution) Amendment Determination 2021 (No. 6)
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01367
This instrument (the Amending Determination) amends the Principal Determination by reflecting the price decrease to seven brands of seven pharmaceutical items due to price disclosure. In addition, it also reflects the introduction of brand premiums to two pharmaceutical items and reinstates the brand premium to one pharmaceutical item. It also removes three brands of three pharmaceutical items that are delising from supply only as requested by the responsible person. These changes are taking effect on 1 October 2021.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Pharmaceutical benefits - early supply) Amendment Instrument 2021 (No. 9)
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01358
The purpose of this legislative instrument, made under subsection 84AAA(2) of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act) is to amend the National Health (Pharmaceutical benefits-early supply) Instrument 2015 (PB 120 of 2015) (the Principal Instrument).
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme- Exempt items - Section 84AH) Amendment Determination 2021 (No. 4)
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01356
The purpose of this legislative instrument, made under section 84AH of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act), is to amend the legislative instrument titled National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme-Exempt items - Section 84 AH) Determination 2017 (PB 81 of 2017) to make changes to the pharmaceutical items that are determined to be exempt items.
Explanatory Statement
Legislation (Private Health Insurance Instruments) Sunset-altering Declaration 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01355
The Legislation (Private Health Insurance Instruments) Sunset-altering Declaration 2021 (the Declaration) is made under subsection 51A(1) of the Legislation Act 2003. It is a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act and must be registered on the Federal Register of Legislation. The Declaration is subject to the disallowance provisions of the Legislation Act.
Explanatory Statement
Human Services (Medicare) (Designated Program Act) Specification 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01351
The instrument that specifies the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Act 1998 - the Human Services (Medicare) (Designated Program Act) Specification 2011 (No.1) - is due to sunset on 1 October 2021.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Commonwealth Price & Conditions for Commonwealth Payments for Supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Amendment Determination 2021 (No. 8)
Legislative Instrument- F2021L01350
The purpose of this legislative instrument, made under section 98C(1) of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act), is to amend the National Health (Commonwealth Price and Conditions for Commonwealth Payments for Supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Determination 2019 (the Principal Determination) to make changes to the pharmaceutical benefits and ingredients in relation to which particular rules apply for ascertaining the Commonwealth price payable to an approved medical practitioner or an approved pharmacist for supply, and to make changes to the list of pharmaceutical benefits that must be supplied in complete packs.
Explanatory Statement
Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices-Excluded Purposes) Amendment (COVID-19 Rapid Antigen IVD Medical Devices for Self-Testing) Specification 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01347
The Principal Specification identifies excluded purposes for the purposes of section 41BEA of the Act. Previously, it did this only in relation to certain medical devices that are Class 2, Class 3 or Class 4 IVD medical devices for self-testing. The Amendment Specification amends the Principal Specification to specify excluded purposes in relation to Class 1 IVD medical devices for self-testing.
Explanatory Statement
Private Health Insurance (Complaints Levy) Rules 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01340
The Private Health Insurance (Complaints Levy) Rules 2021 (the Rules) repeal and replace the Private Health Insurance (Complaints Levy) Rules 2020 (the Previous Rules) to alter the rate of complaints levy payable. The Rules also specify the complaints levy days and the census day for the purposes of the Act. The purpose of the complaints levy is to finance the administrative costs of the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman (PHIO). The functions of PHIO are set out at section 20D of the Ombudsman Act 1976.
Explanatory Statement
Therapeutic Goods (Restricted Medicines) Specification 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01324
The purpose of this instrument is to specify medicines or classes of medicine under these provisions for the purposes of the definition of 'restricted medicine' in subsection 3(1) of the Act. The Therapeutic Goods (Restricted Medicines) Specification 2021 ('the Specification') is made under subsections 3(2A) and (2B) of the Act and specifies medicines and classes of medicine that fall within the meaning of 'restricted medicine', so that applications for the registration of the specified medicines in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods ('the Register') are accompanied by product information for the medicine in the form approved by the Secretary. The practical effect of the Specification is that higher-risk medicines (predominantly those containing a substance in Schedules 3, 4, 8 or 9 to the current Poisons Standard) are registered with product information approved by the Secretary, which is then made accessible to prescribers to ensure safe prescribing practice.
Explanatory Statement
Therapeutic Goods (Biologicals-Specified Things) Instrument 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01329
The Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 ('the Act') provides for the establishment and maintenance of a national system of controls for the quality, safety, efficacy and timely availability of therapeutic goods that are used in or exported from Australia. The Act is administered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration ('the TGA') within the Australian Government Department of Health. Subsection 10(1) of the Act provides that the Minister may, by legislative instrument, make an order determining that matters specified in the order constitute a standard for therapeutic goods or a class of therapeutic goods identified in the order. Subsection 10(2) provides that an order establishing a standard for therapeutic goods may be specified by reference to the quality of the goods, or the procedures to be carried out in the manufacture of the goods, among other matters.
Explanatory Statement
Therapeutic Goods (Standard for Biologicals- Labelling Requirements) (TGO 107) Order 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01325
The Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 ('the Act') provides forth establishment and maintenance of a national system of controls for the quality, safety, efficacy and timely availability of therapeutic goods that are used in or exported from Australia. The Act is administered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration ('the TGA') within the Australian Government Department of Health. Subsection 10(1) of the Act provides that the Minister may, by legislative instrument, make an order determining that matters specified in the order constitute a standard for therapeutic goods or a class of therapeutic goods identified in the order. Subsection 10(2) provides that an order establishing a standard for therapeutic goods may be specified by reference to the quality of the goods, or the procedures to be carried out in the manufacture of the goods, among other matters.
Explanatory Statement
Therapeutic Goods (Consequential Amendments-TGO 108) Instrument 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01330
The Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 ('the Act') provides for the establishment and maintenance of a national system of controls for the quality, safety, efficacy and timely availability of therapeutic goods that are used in or exported from Australia. The Act is administered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration ('the TGA') within the Australian Government Department of Health. Subsection 10(1) of the Act provides that the Minister may, by legislative instrument, make an order determining that matters specified in the order constitute a standard for therapeutic goods or a class of therapeutic goods identified in the order. Subsection 10(2) provides that an order establishing a standard for therapeutic goods may be specified by reference to the quality of the goods, or the procedures to be carried out in the manufacture of the goods, among other matters.
Explanatory Statement
Therapeutic Goods (Standard for Human Cell and Tissue Products-Donor Screening Requirements) (TGO 108) Order 2021
Legislative Instrument - F2021L01326
The Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 ('the Act') provides for the establishment and maintenance of a national system of controls for the quality, safety, efficacy and timely availability of therapeutic goods that are used in or exported from Australia. The Act is administered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration ('the TGA') within the Australian Government Department of Health. Subsection 10(1) of the Act provides that the Minister may, by legislative instrument, make an order determining that matters specified in the order constitute a standard for therapeutic goods or a class of therapeutic goods identified in the order. Subsection 10(2) provides that an order establishing a standard for therapeutic goods may be specified by reference to the quality of the goods, or the procedures to be carried out in the manufacture of the goods, among other matters.
Explanatory Statement
ACT
Human Rights Commission (Discrimination, Health Services, and Disability and Community Services Commissioner) Appointment 2021
Notifiable instrument NI2021-565
The Executive appoints Karen Toohey as the Discrimination, Health Services, and Disability and Community Services Commissioner until 30 September 2026.
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New South Wales
24 SEP 2021: NSW, HAZZARD: Legislation - Regulations and other miscellaneous instruments - Public Health Amendment (COVID-19) Regulation 2021 - Public Health Act 2010 - 2021-562
24 SEP 2021: NSW, HAZZARD: Legislation - Regulations and other miscellaneous instruments - Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Restricted Substances) Regulation (No 2) 2021 - Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966 - 2021-561
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Proclamations
None this edition.
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Gazette Notices
Federal
29 SEP 2021: GOVERNMENT NOTICES GAZETTE: The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem - Priory In Australia - Admissions and Promotions 2021
22 SEP 2021: SENATE COMMITTEE HANSARD: Community Affairs References Committee - Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and related entities under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law - Canberra
New South Wales
25 SEP 2021: NSW GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. 484: Extraordinary Gazette - Public Health Act 2010 - Section 7 - Public Health (COVID-19 Additional Restrictions for Delta Outbreak) Order (No 2) Amendment (No 17) Order 2021
24 SEP 2021: NSW GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. 483: Extraordinary Gazette - Public Health Act 2010 - Section 7 - Public Health (COVID-19 Self-Isolation) Order (No 3) Amendment (No 2) Order 2021
24 SEP 2021: NSW GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. 475: Government Notices - Health and Education
23 SEP 2021: NSW GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. 482: Extraordinary Gazette - Public Health Act 2010 - Public Health (COVID-19 Additional Restrictions for Delta Outbreak) Order (No 2) Amendment (No 16) Order 2021
23 SEP 2021: NSW GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. 471: Extraordinary Gazette - Public Health Act 2010 - Section 7 - Public Health (COVID-19 Additional Restrictions for Delta Outbreak) Order (No 2) Amendment (No 15) Order 2021
21 SEP 2021: NSW GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. 468: Public Health Act 2010 - Public Health (COVID-19 Additional Restrictions for Delta Outbreak) Order (No 2) Amendment (No 14) Order 2021
20 SEP 2021: NSW GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. 467: Extraordinary Gazette - Public Health Act 2010 - Public Health (COVID-19 Additional Restrictions for Delta Outbreak) Order (No 2) Amendment (No 13) Order 2021
Western Australia
01 OCT 2021: WA GOVERNMENT GAZETTE: General Gazette No. 168 - Health
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Consolidated Legislation
Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - COVID-19 Telehealth and Telephone Attendances) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2021C00982
Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - COVID-19 Telehealth and Telephone Attendances) Amendment (In-Hospital Telehealth and Phone Services) Determination 2021.
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Private Health Insurance (Complying Product) Rules 2015
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2021C00978
Rules/Other as amended, taking into account amendments up to Private Health Insurance (Complying Product) (Age of Dependants) Amendment Rules 2021.
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Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code (No.2) 2018
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2021C00976
Codes & Codes of Practice as amended, taking into account amendments up to Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code) Instrument (No. 5) 2021.
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Private Health Insurance (Health Insurance Business) Rules 2018
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2021C00968
Rules/Other as amended, taking into account amendments up to Private Health Insurance (Health Insurance Business) Amendment Rules (No. 2) 2021.
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Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical - Expansion of GP and Allied Health Chronic Disease Management Services for Care Recipients of a Residential Aged Care Facility) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2021C00966
Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical - Expansion of GP and Allied Health Chronic Disease Management Services for Care Recipients of a Residential Aged Care Facility) Amendment Determination 2021.
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National Health Act 1953
Consolidated Legislation - C2021C00383
Act No. 95 of 1953 as amended, taking into account amendments up to Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2021 An Act relating to the provision of pharmaceutical, sickness and hospital benefits, and of medical and dental services.
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Therapeutic Goods Act 1989
Act Compilation - C2021C00376
Act No. 21 of 1990 as amended, taking into account amendments up to Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2021 An Act relating to therapeutic goods.
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Age Discrimination Act 2004
Consolidated Legislation - C2021C00374
Act No. 68 of 2004 as amended, taking into account amendments up to Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2021 An Act relating to discrimination on the ground of age.
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Aged Care (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997
Act Compilation - C2021C00372
Act No. 223 of 1997 as amended, taking into account amendments up to Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Improved Home Care Payment Administration No. 2) Act 2021. An Act to deal with transitional matters in connection with the Aged Care (Living Longer Living Better) Act 2013, and for other purposes.
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New Bills
None this edition.
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New Acts
None this edition.
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