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)

3 December

$540 million to continue and expand Australia's COVID-19 response
Minister for Health Greg Hunt, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Richard Colbeck and Minister for Regional Health David Gillespie and said that the Australian Government has invested a further $540 million in response to the COVID 19 pandemic including significant funding to keep Australians safe, and for COVID-19 testing. COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on Australians' way of life and the emergence of the Omicron variant of concern highlights that while we have come a long way, we require robust health measures to continue to underpin our COVID-19 Health Response. The Australian Government has committed more than $33 billion in additional health spending since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, to protect the health of all Australians.
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2 December

ACT: Public Health Amendment Bill
Life in Canberra will take another step towards COVID-normal under the ACT Government's Public Health Amendment Bill 2021 (No 2), introduced in the Legislative Assembly. The Bill proposes to enable the Executive, Minister for Health and Chief Health Officer to issue public health directions to protect the community from COVID-19 once the ACT steps out of the Public Health Emergency. ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said public health emergencies are declared in response to extreme situations, and the ACT Government is keen to keep its interventions in proportion to the public health risk to our community.
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NT: Upcoming changes to COVID-19 vaccination clinics in the Top End
The NT Department of Health said that to ensure resources and staff are allocated to the greatest areas of need as the Territory prepares to safely transition to re-opening, the Coolalinga COVID-19 Vaccination Centre will be stood down from close of business on Friday, 3 December. Anyone who has booked a first or second dose at the Coolalinga COVID-19 Vaccination Centre on or after Saturday 4 December will be contacted to have their booking transferred to the nearby Palmerston COVID-19 Vaccination Hub. If required, the Coolalinga COVID-19 Vaccination Centre can be stood up again in the future. The Palmerston COVID-19 Vaccination Centre and the Darwin COVID-19 Vaccination Centre both operate seven days per week and currently accept both online bookings and walk-ins from the community.
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1 December

NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW recorded 251 new cases of COVID-19. The total number of confirmed cases of Omicron COVID-19 variant of concern remains at five. Nine cases have been excluded following further investigation, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 81,727. NSW Health can confirm initial testing strongly indicates another overseas traveller, who recently arrived in NSW from southern Africa, has been infected with the Omicron COVID-19 variant of concern.
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WA: Supermarkets on board as part of the Summer Vax Drive
WA Premier Mark McGowan and WA Minister for Health Roger Cook said that Western Australians doing their groceries will have the unique opportunity to 'roll up' and get their COVID-19 vaccination as part of the Summer Vax Drive. The 'Summer Vax Drive' initiative runs until December 19 and means more convenient vaccination clinics and special events are open to help people get the vaccine. Getting the vaccine to protect themselves, loved ones and their community will help WA reach its 90 per cent vaccination target. New pop-up clinics to open in participating Woolworths and Aldi supermarkets across metropolitan and regional stores will be operating from this Thursday December 2 to Sunday December 5 (inclusive).
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30 November

National Cabinet Statement
The World Health Organization has declared the B.1.1.529 strain, now known as the Omicron strain and first detected in Southern Africa on 24 November 2021, to be a variant of concern, one of five existing variants of concern including Delta. Six cases of the Omicron strain have been detected in Australia. All cases have mild symptoms or are asymptomatic, and are in quarantine. Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 210,239 confirmed cases in Australia and sadly 2,006 people have died. More than 47.8 million tests have been undertaken, with over 1 million tests reported in the past 7 days, said Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
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ACT: Rapid Antigen Screening at the Alexander Maconochie Centre
ACT Corrective Services is undertaking a Rapid Antigen Screening pilot program at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) to help protect employees, detainees and their families from COVID-19. ACT Minister for Corrections Mick Gentleman said Rapid Antigen Screening for employees and visitors would help support a return to more normal operations for the AMC including face-to-face visits. 'Staff, contractors and visitors over 12 years of age will be required to undertake Rapid Antigen Screening before entering the AMC,' Minister Gentleman said.
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ACT: COVID-19 Update - 30 November 2021
The ACT Department of Health reported the following statistics: ACT residents aged 12 and over who are fully vaccinated: 97.8%; New cases of COVID-19 recorded in the ACT: 6; Active cases: 144; Total number of cases for this outbreak: 2,006; Total (active and cleared) cases in ACT hospitals: 8 (including 4 in intensive care and 4 ventilated); and Negative test results received: 3,040.
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NSW: Precautionary measures to manage the Omicron variant
The NSW Government will maintain measures and increase penalties for non-compliance as it continues to take a precautionary approach to quarantine arrangements for overseas arrivals in line with additional national border security measures by the Australian Government. Consistent with Commonwealth measures, all travellers arriving in NSW who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Malawi during the 14 day period before their arrival in NSW must enter hotel quarantine for 14 days, irrespective of their vaccination status, said NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW recorded 179 new cases of COVID-19, including two with the Omicron COVID-19 variant of concern. The total number of confirmed cases of Omicron is now four in NSW. Four cases have been excluded following further investigation, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 81,485. NSW Health is reporting three deaths.
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NSW: Omicron confirmed in Central Coast case
NSW Health can officially confirm the traveller who recently arrived in NSW and is isolating at home on the Central Coast has been infected with the Omicron COVID-19 variant of concern. The number of people with the Omicron COVID-19 variant of concern is now five. The person, who is fully vaccinated, arrived in Sydney on flight QR908 from Doha to Sydney on 25 November and travelled by private car to the Central Coast. They had been in southern Africa.
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SA: First drive-through vaccine clinic
People in the northern suburbs will have greater access to the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine with South Australia's first drive-through vaccination clinic at the SA Produce Market at Pooraka. SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said transforming the existing Pooraka 'pop-up' vaccination clinic into a new drive-through option is an exciting milestone in the push to reach 90 percent of eligible South Australians vaccinated. 'It's been around for almost a century and now the humble drive-through is serving up jabs. You can book or you can just drive right on in. Roll down your window and roll up your sleeve. It's now that easy to get vaccinated,' Minister Wade said.
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VIC: Proportionate steps to protect Victorians from omicron
The Victorian Government will maintain enhanced quarantine arrangements for overseas travellers to protect the state from the new Omicron COVID-19 variant of concern until more is known about the strain. These public health measures - being implemented by Victoria and New South Wales - are in line with additional national border security measures from the Commonwealth and are a precautionary response to Omicron. There are currently no known cases of the Omicron variant reported in Victoria, said Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley.
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29 November

Pause to further easing of border restrictions
On the basis of medical advice provided by the Chief Medical Officer of Australia, Professor Paul Kelly, the National Security Committee has taken the necessary and temporary decision to pause the next step to safely reopen Australia to international skilled and student cohorts, as well as humanitarian, working holiday maker and provisional family visa holders from 1 December until 15 December, said Prime Minister Morrison, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne, Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt and Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews.
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Omicron underlines need for more vigorous booster roll out and national quarantine facilities
The emergence of the Omicron COVID-19 variant underlines the need for Australia to develop a network of dedicated quarantine facilities and to pursue the roll out of booster shots more vigorously, the AMA said. With public health measures easing around the country and hotel quarantine starting to be dismantled, the AMA warned Omicron and the resurgence of COVID-19 in many parts of globe is a timely reminder that the pandemic is not over.
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Omicron spurs urgency of trips waiver and vaccine equity
Australian Greens International Development spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that the emergence of the Omicron variant has put further pressure on Australia to co-sponsor an intellectual property waiver on Covid-19 vaccines at the World Trade Organization (WTO). At its upcoming ministerial meetings, the WTO will consider the intellectual property waiver first proposed by India and South Africa more than one year ago.
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NSW: Another two cases of Omicron confirmed in NSW
Genomic testing has confirmed two more overseas travellers, who recently arrived in NSW, have been infected with the Omicron COVID-19 variant of concern. The total number of confirmed cases of Omicron is now four in NSW. Both passengers arrived in Sydney from southern Africa on Singapore Airlines flight SQ211 Sunday, 28 November. They are fully vaccinated and isolating in the Special Health Accommodation, said the NSW Department of Health.
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NT: COVID-19 Update: Two new cases recorded in the NT
The NT Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet announced that the Northern Territory has recorded two new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases from the NT outbreak to 58. There are currently 377 close contacts for cluster two. Of those, 370 have been contacted, are isolating and have returned a negative test.
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TAS: Helping Tasmanians access their COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate
The Tasmanian Government is making it easier for all Tasmanians to prove their vaccination status with the State ready to reopen its border on December 15. 'As our vaccination rates increase, the COVID-19 digital certificate will provide a trusted tool for Tasmanians to prove they are fully vaccinated. We want to ensure that all Tasmanians are able to obtain their COVID-19 digital certificate which is why, in partnership with Services Australia, we are putting in place in-person support for those people who need assistance to download and save a copy of their COVID-19 digital certificate,' said Tasmanian Premier for Peter Gutwein.
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WA: COVID-19 update 29 November 2021
WA Health has reported no new cases of COVID-19. The State's total remains at 1121. To date, 1109 people have recovered from the virus in WA. WA is monitoring three active cases who are all in hotel quarantine.
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28 November

NSW: Omicron variant in confirmed NSW cases
NSW Health can confirm urgent genomic testing undertaken shows two overseas travellers have been infected with the new Omicron B.1.1.529 COVID-19 variant of concern. Both passengers came to Sydney from southern Africa on the evening of Saturday November 27. They underwent testing on arrival and tested positive for COVID-19. The two positive cases, who were asymptomatic, are in isolation in the Special Health Accommodation. Both people are fully vaccinated. The two passengers were amongst fourteen people from southern Africa who arrived on Qatar Airways QR908, Doha to Sydney, which arrived around 7pm, Saturday November 27.
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NSW: Public health alert - cases identified on international flight
NSW Health can confirm urgent genomic testing is underway after passengers who arrived in Sydney from southern Africa have tested positive for COVID-19. Fourteen passengers who arrived in Sydney are from one of the nine southern African countries of South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Malawi, and the Seychelles. Testing on arrival has identified two of these passengers have COVID-19, and urgent genomic sequencing is underway to determine if they have been infected by the new Omicron B.1.1.529 variant of concern.
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NT: COVID-19 Update: Four new cases in the NT
The Northern Territory has recorded four new cases of COVID-19. An international flight crew member in her 40s who arrived in Darwin on a flight from London on Friday has tested positive for COVID-19. She is symptomatic and has been transferred to the Centre for National Resilience, said the NT Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet.
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27 November

Additional border security measures to protect Australians from the new 'Omicron' COVID-19 variant
On the basis of medical advice provided by the Chief Medical Officer of Australia, Professor Paul Kelly, the Australian Government will implement additional border security measures as a precaution to protect Australians from the new Omicron variant of concern. These actions are taken on the basis of prevention and are considered proportionate to the risk and consistent with actions being considered by other countries, said Minister Hunt.
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ACT: Quarantine requirements re-introduced for all international arrivals
ACT Health is introducing precautionary measures in response to the emergence of the Omicron variant of concern of COVID-19. Effective immediately, anyone in the ACT who has been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Seychelles, Malawi, Namibia, and/or Eswatini in the past 14 days must get a COVID-19 PCR test and quarantine immediately. Requirements for these travellers are outlined below.
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ACT: COVID-19 Update - 27 November 2021
ACT Health reported the following statistics: ACT residents aged 12 and over who are fully vaccinated: 97.6%. New cases of COVID-19 recorded in the ACT: 7. Active cases: 163. Total number of cases for this outbreak: 1,986.
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NSW: Government takes precautionary steps in response to Omicron variant
The NSW Government has taken precautionary steps in relation to quarantine arrangements for overseas arrivals following the introduction of additional national border security measures by the Australian Government. NSW Premier Perrottet said the new measures would help keep people safe as the Government works through this latest development with COVID. NSW Minister Hazzard said no cases of the Omicron variant have been identified in NSW to date, but urged everyone to stay vigilant.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW Health recorded 235 new cases of COVID-19. Three cases have been excluded following further investigation, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 80,981. There are currently 174 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 26 people in intensive care, 10 of whom require ventilation. There were 62,044 COVID-19 tests reported, compared with the previous total of 73,027.
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NT: COVID-19 Update: Lajamanu enters into lockdown
Lajamanu community and the surrounding homelands will enter into a lockdown immediately until 6pm on 11 December 2021, following positive wastewater results. Essential workers who are fully vaccinated or have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can continue to go to work. A Rapid Assessment Team has been dispatched to manage the response, undertake COVID-19 testing and provide COVID-19 vaccinations, said the NT Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet.
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26 November

ATAGI update following weekly COVID-19 meeting - 24 November 2021
On Wednesday 24 November 2021 Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) reviewed the latest developments relating to COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccine safety. In addition, ATAGI continues to monitor COVID-19 epidemiology in Australia including current COVID-19 outbreaks involving the Delta variant, including in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria. ATAGI stresses that vaccination is a key public health intervention to prevent infection, transmission and severe disease due to SARS-CoV-2. ATAGI recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all Australians from 12 years of age.
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Aged Care

2 December

$56 million to improve end of life care for Australians
The Government will invest more than $56 million to improve end of life and palliative care for Australians. Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt and Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck said as people approached the final stage of their lives it was vital they had access to the level of care they needed. Of the 160,000 people who die in Australia each year, it is estimated approximately 50 to 90 per cent would benefit from receiving palliative care in the period leading up to their death.
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1 December

National Aged Care Advocacy expanded as reforms gain momentum
A new funding agreement that increases total program funding from $52.6 million to $151.1 million over four years will significantly expand the National Aged Care Advocacy Program (NACAP) to support greater choice and quality safeguards for senior Australians. This responds to the Royal Commission into Aged Quality and Safety recommendation to expand aged care advocacy, recognising advocacy support that identifies and actively considers consumer needs is essential to an aged care system that delivers respect, dignity, and consumer choice and control. Minister Colbeck, said the role of the NACAP was as important as ever.
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26 November

Report on the Operation of the Aged Care Act
The Government welcomes the release of the Report on the Operation of the Aged Care Act (1997) - a vital overview of Australia's age care system. Minister Hunt and Minister Colbeck said the report offered important insight into the sector's operations during the 2020-21 financial year. Importantly, it details the challenges faced by senior Australians and the aged care sector in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the critical interventions made by Government as it responded to those challenges.
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Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

None this edition.

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Allied Health

None this edition.

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Children's Health

1 October

NSW: Focus on future generations as construction begins on new Tresillian centre
Families across NSW who are struggling with the challenges of being a new parent are set to benefit from the redevelopment of the historic Tresillian Family Care Centre in Wollstonecraft. NSW Minister for Mental Health and Women Bronnie Taylor, NSW Minister for Health and Medical Research Brad Hazzard and NSW Member for North Shore Felicity Wilson turned the first sod on the $16.4 million project. Mrs Taylor said the redevelopment will provide a new, modern base for Tresillian to deliver a range of support services to parents which will make all the difference to a family during a difficult time.
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30 November

$37.2 million for Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder support and awareness
The Government is investing more than $37 million for Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) diagnostic services to increase access and reduce waiting times, as well as launching a new National Awareness Campaign for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Women. From November 30, in an Australian first, a new awareness campaign to increase awareness of the risks associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The campaign aims to support and inform women to make healthy choices while planning and during a pregnancy to reduce the risk and the incidence of FASD, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt and Minister for Regional Health David Gillespie.
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New National Awareness Campaign on the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy launched
More than one in four Australian women (29 per cent) who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or would consider having a baby are unaware that drinking alcohol during pregnancy could cause Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), despite it being the leading non-genetic developmental disability in Australia. Developed by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) and endorsed and funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, the National Awareness Campaign for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Women (the Campaign) aims to raises awareness of the risks of drinking alcohol while pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
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Clinical Governance

30 November

New guidelines to help GPs care for patients impacted by violence and abuse
Australian health practitioners will be better able to care for patients and their children experiencing violence and abuse under new guidelines. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has released the 5th edition of The White Book, which contains updated, evidence-based guidelines designed to help health practitioners identify and respond in clinical practice to patients impacted by family and domestic violence and abuse, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt and Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston.
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26 November

TAS: Health crisis continues without an end in sight on the eve of border reopening
More than 10,000 Tasmanians are still waiting for necessary surgery and more than 18,000 for dental treatment - and in far too many cases will wait for years. Tasmanian Shadow Minister for Health Anita Dow said 10,413 Tasmanians were stuck on the elective surgery wait list and overdue waiting times for category one surgery were now 84 days across the state and 100 days at the Royal Hobart Hospital. Statewide, patients waiting for knee replacements are being forced to wait a median of 572 days and those needing hips replacements will wait 346 days.
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Construction and Health Infrastructure

None this edition.

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Dental

None this edition.

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Disabilities

1 December

Greens announce accessible Australia plan - commit to properly funding the NDIS
Disabled person and spokesperson for Disability Rights and Services Senator Jordon Steele-John announced the Australian Greens have released a plan to improve the lives of disabled people across the country. Australian Greens Spokesperson for Disability Rights and Services Senator Steele-John said: 'I am so excited to release the first stage of our monumental Greens plan for disabled people ahead of International Day of People with Disabilities. The Australian Greens are committed to centering the needs and voices of disabled people. Our Accessible Australian plan provides a clear pathway forward to fix the broken systems disabled people interact with every day and will enable our community to live fully, and enjoy our lives.'
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QLD: Caboolture co-op awarded social enterprise grant to support disability employment
Queensland Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said that a Caboolture co-op will continue to support the employment of people with disabilities thanks to a Government Social Enterprise Growth Grant. Queensland Member for Pumicestone Ali King said a $24,500 grant will allow the Caboolture Community Work Co-operative (CCWC) to create a website, provide digital coaching and upgrade its computer equipment. 'CCWC aims to provide people with disabilities the opportunity to earn a living and work on an equal basis with others in an open, inclusive, accessible environment,' Ms King said. 'Like many businesses, CCWC has done it tough during the pandemic and I know the Lagoon Creek Cafe is in need of some TLC.'
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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

1 December

QLD: Rural telehealth provider awarded social enterprise grant
A Central Queensland rural telehealth provider will register more psychologists and reach more people every week due to a Government Social Enterprise Growth Grant. Queensland Member for Rockhampton Barry O'Rourke said Rural Health Connect has been awarded a $24,000 grant to expand its service. 'This is such an outstanding group that matches people in rural and remote locations with a network of psychologists to provide telehealth sessions,' Mr O'Rourke said. 'These are people that deal with drought, bushfire, floods and isolation on a regular basis, so having the right support available is absolutely critical. Queensland Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said 30 organisations have shared in more than $635,000 to grow their operations and goodwill.
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26 November

HESTA expands investments in digital healthcare innovation
HESTA is expanding its investment in leading Australian health software solutions, announcing it has acquired a $120m equity stake in the newly combined Genie Solutions and Citadel Group. Citadel acquired Genie Solutions last month. HESTA, an investor in Genie since 2017 through IFM Private Equity, reinvested the bulk of its proceeds from the sale of Genie into an investment into the newly combined Citadel Group maintaining its exposure to a fast-growing business and the digital healthcare sector more broadly. Both Citadel and Genie are leading providers in their respective market segments.
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Education and Training

30 November

Brisbane job seekers get another opportunity to retrain as Pharmacy Assistants and join community pharmacies
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch, is encouraging eligible job seekers in Brisbane to retrain as Pharmacy Assistants via the Queensland Government's Community Work Skills and work in Queensland's network of almost 1,200 community pharmacies. The Community Work Skills course is fully subsidised for eligible participants through the Queensland Government's Skilling Queenslanders for Work Program. Following the delivery of seven Community Work Skill courses throughout 2021, The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch, will deliver more courses in the new year with the first cohort commencing on Monday 17 January 2022.
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29 November

2021 Nursing and Midwifery Scholarships Awarded
13 NT Health nurses who are completing post-registration studies have received scholarships to support their ongoing training and development. The annual Nursing and Midwifery Scholarships were awarded to six recipients from Central Australia and seven from the Top End. Through the Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, scholarships are awarded to nurses and midwives who are completing post registration studies and have been continuously employed at NT Health for two years or more, said NT Minister for Health Natasha Fyles.
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Funding

1 December

$50 million investment in support for HIV and blood borne viruses
The Government is marking World AIDS Day by announcing over $50 million in new funding to extend access to HIV treatment in Australia and to support activities that will support the health and mental wellbeing of people living with blood borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections. World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year. It remembers the 30 million people worldwide who have died of HIV/AIDS and reminds us of this ongoing global pandemic. Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said, the Government was investing more than $39 million over 5 years to support people living with HIV in Australia, who are not eligible for Medicare, to access the treatment they need.
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QLD: Social enterprise grant backs Palmwoods' Calmer Kids
A Sunshine Coast health and wellbeing service will expand its program online thanks to a Government Social Enterprise Growth Grant. Queensland Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton said Calmer Kids offers educational support and resources designed to give children, parents, teachers and early educators the tools to apply mindfulness practice to everyday life. 'With classes running in Buderim, Bokarina and Palmwoods, Calmer Kids is much-loved on the Sunshine Coast,' Mr Skelton said. Queensland Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said 30 organisations have shared in more than $635,000 to grow their operations and goodwill.
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30 November

VIC: Hundreds of millions ripped from hospitals
The State Government has ripped more than $400 million out of the health system as a crisis engulfs hospitals and ambulance services across Queensland. The LNP can reveal hospitals and health services across the state have had tens of millions cut from their funding every year for the past three years. This year, Metro South has been worst hit with nearly $17 million cut, followed by the Gold Coast with almost $15 million and the Sunshine Coast with $14 million. Victorian Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli said the cuts were another blow to frontline health workers and would leave Queenslanders vulnerable.
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Health Professionals

2 December

RACGP acknowledges Health Minister Greg Hunt during a critical time for Australia
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) thanked Health Minister Greg Hunt for his service after he announced his retirement from federal politics. Minister Hunt announced his retirement in Parliament today but said he would remain in the role until the next Federal Election. RACGP President Dr Karen Price thanked Minister Hunt for his service. 'I thank Minister Hunt for his service, particualry as Health Minister, and wish him well,' she said. 'Everyone involved in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and national vaccine rollout, including Minister Hunt has worked pretty much 24 hours a day, seven days a week for nearly 2 years, doing all we can to protect our community.'
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Former Bacchus Marsh obstetrics director reprimanded and disqualified for 12 years
Medical Board of Australia and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) said that a former Victorian medical practitioner has been reprimanded and disqualified from applying for registration for 12 years after a tribunal made nine findings of professional misconduct against him, following action brought by the Medical Board of Australia. Former Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Bacchus Marsh Hospital, Dr Surinder Parhar, has had nine findings of professional misconduct made against him by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal following referral from the Medical Board of Australia.
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NSW: Mr Bhuvaneshwar Singh - Registered nurse - Unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct
The Health Care Complaints Commission prosecuted a complaint against Bhuvaneshwar Singh, registered nurse, before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. On 3 January 2020 Mr Singh was working as an agency nurse at an aged care facility when at about 1pm an elderly patient had an unwitnessed fall. Mr Singh was called to examined the patient. Later that day, after Mr Singh's shift, the patient was found to have suffered bilateral femoral fractures.
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30 November

GPs urged to look for abuse signs as domestic violence escalates amid pandemic
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is urging GPs to be on the look out for signs of abuse among patients as domestic violence escalates during the pandemic. On November 30 the RACGP released the 5th edition of Abuse and violence - Working with patients in general practice (known as the White Book) which provides evidence-based guidelines for health practitioners on caring for patients experiencing family and domestic abuse and violence.
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Hospitals

2 December

Greg Hunt's impact on Australian's healthcare recognised
Health Minister Greg Hunt has made his mark on Australia's healthcare system, overseeing the country's COVID-19 pandemic response and changes in private health insurance, Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) CEO Michael Roff said. Mr Roff, who has worked closely with the Minister since he took on the health portfolio in January 2017, congratulated Mr Hunt on his political career and acknowledged his impact on Australia's healthcare system. 'Greg Hunt has overseen some of the most challenging times for the health care sector, leading the Australian response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His efforts at the outset of the pandemic ensured Australians had access to the full hospital system - bringing public and private hospitals together in an historic agreement,' Mr Roff said.
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1 December

ACT: Master Plan sets out future development at Canberra Hospital campus
Canberrans will benefit from the ongoing modernisation of the Canberra Hospital with the release of a 20-year Master Plan providing a blueprint for the transformation of the Canberra Hospital campus to meet the community's growing needs. ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the Master Plan reflects a shared vision of the Canberra Hospital campus following extensive community and stakeholder consultation. 'The Master Plan shows how Canberra Hospital will evolve into a world leading and sustainable health facility - a place of healing and wellbeing for patients, carers, families and visitors that delivers exceptional healthcare for our region, and training and research opportunities for the expanding workforce,' Minister Stephen-Smith said.
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29 November

NSW: $479 million Ryde Hospital forges ahead
The existing Ryde Hospital campus will be transformed into a state-of-the-art facility with expanded and improved emergency care, critical care, community and outpatient services. NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard and NSW Member for Ryde Victor Dominello announced the existing site as most suitable after extensive consultation with hospital staff and the local community. 'We've listened to our doctors, nurses and allied health professionals and the community on both options of the current site or Macquarie University. Overwhelmingly, they all wanted to remain in Ryde and we are confident that this is the best way forward,' Mr Dominello said.
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26 November

VIC: Elective surgery increases for regional and private hospitals
Public hospitals in Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton and the Latrobe Valley can resume up to 50 per cent of normal elective surgery from Monday 29 November, as Victoria continues to safely manage COVID-19 hospital admissions. Private hospitals and day procedure centres currently operating up to 50 per cent of elective surgery capacity will be able to move up to 75 per cent from Monday 29 November, so long as they continue to first assist with the COVID-19 response, said Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley.
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Insurance

30 November

Bupa, Medibank, NIB customers risk wasting health insurance extras
Consumer advocacy group CHOICE is warning Australians with health insurance extras that they may be about to waste thousands of dollars. 'COVID-19 put many parts of the country in lockdown throughout 2021. That means a significant number of Australians won't have been able to get as much out of their extras as they usually would. You may have put off a dental check, missed a couple of physio sessions or not picked up some new glasses. For a large family, you could be about to throw thousands of dollars down the drain. Act now before it's too late,' says CHOICE health insurance expert, Uta Mihm.
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Medicare

1 December

World AIDS Day marked by fresh commitment to end HIV transmission
The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations warmly welcomed new commitments from the Commonwealth Government to drive the end of Australian HIV transmission, along with renewed affirmation of Australia's multi- decade, bipartisan HIV response. Providing treatment for people living with HIV in Australia who do not have access to Medicare is not only healthier for those individuals, but also important to Australia's public health response and to achieving lower rates of HIV transmission in Australia.
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Men's Health

None this edition.

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Mental Health

2 December

ACT: Integrated approach to mental health, drugs and alcohol needed
ACT Shadow Minister for Health Giulia Jones announced she will move a motion in the Legislative Assembly today that calls for better integration of the ACT's drug and alcohol rehabilitation system with the acute mental health system. Mrs Jones said many of the people admitted to our acute mental health system are suffering from a comorbidity of alcohol or drug addiction. 'The comorbid drug and alcohol issue is not dealt with in our adult mental health system; meaning that, upon release, patients are susceptible to relapsing into substance abuse,' Mrs Jones said.
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VIC: More mental health beds and better-trained doctors
The Victorian Government is delivering on its promise to provide more bed capacity and better-trained workers across Victoria's mental health system - with work underway on a major expansion of mental health beds, and more support to give doctors vital training in psychiatry. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Victorian Minister for Mental Health James Merlino marked the beginning of construction on a new 22-bed acute mental health facility at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), delivering on a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System. The Government will provide $285,000 to support the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists to develop a training program to support junior doctors on psychiatry rotations.
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VIC: Mental health claims don't add up
Victorian Shadow Minister for Mental Health Emma Kealy said that Victorians are getting sicker while the Government failed to meet a key finding from the Mental Health Royal Commission, more than three years since it was delivered. Announcing training and mental health beds today, Premier Daniel Andrews and Mental Health Minister James Merlino neglected to mention that both commitments are long overdue. Parliament's Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) recently heard from the Department that 29 JMO's will undertake a psychiatry rotation in 2021-22, equating to 32 per cent. Yet today, the Government claimed 132 JMO's will undertake the rotation in 2022.
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1 December

Empowering employers to embed Lived Experience in their mental health and suicide prevention workforce
The Government is embedding the role of lived experience within the mental health system and suicide prevention system, with the launch of Australia's first national guidelines for a lived experience workforce. The National Mental Health Commission has released the National Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce Development Guidelines, which contains the principles, values and roles of the lived experience workforce, together with detailed steps for employers to help them plan and embed lived experience into their core business. Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt, said the Government is committed to expanding, strengthening, upskilling and supporting the Lived Experience mental health workforce.
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Matt Berriman appointed new Chair of Mental Health Australia
Leading technology entrepreneur and corporate advisor Matt Berriman was appointed as Chair of Mental Health Australia, replacing Robyn Kruk AO. Mr Berriman has 15 plus years' experience in start-up businesses as a founder, executive and investor and has advised some of Australia's largest corporate organisations, including NewsCorp and Commonwealth Bank. He joins Mental Health Australia with sector and lived experience, including advising Beyond Blue through its 2020 transformation and strategic reset, after bravely announcing a bipolar disorder diagnosis in 2018.
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SA: Australian-first Suicide Prevention Law passes Parliament
Nation-leading legislation on suicide prevention has passed the South Australian Parliament, building on the South Australia Government's strong record on suicide prevention. The Suicide Prevention Bill, which is the first of its kind in an Australian jurisdiction, establishes a Suicide Prevention Council as a statutory body and builds on the work of the Premier's Council on Suicide Prevention. SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said he was proud to be part of a Government that has introduced and passed legislation that will help take our suicide prevention efforts to the next level.
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30 November

SA: Recreational fishing for mental health and wellbeing
The Let's Fish SA campaign features a series of 15 second videos promoting how recreational fishing can assist wellbeing and mental health and is an Australian Fishing Trade Association initiative supported by $50,000 from the SA Government through Wellbeing SA. SA Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said while many recreational fishers are aware firsthand of the health and wellbeing benefits gained from dropping a line in the water, it is an aspect of recreational fishing that is often not well promoted.
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WA: Community grants awarded for targeted engagement on Mental Health Act
WA Minister for Mental Health Stephen Dawson has announced that 13 grants worth more than $208,000 have been awarded to 12 organisations to undertake targeted engagement for the statutory review of the Mental Health Act (2014). Grants will enable the organisations to conduct face-to-face engagement with targeted groups of consumers, carers or families using lived experience facilitation or co-facilitation. To enhance opportunities for people with lived experience to provide feedback on their experience with the Act, interested parties were invited to apply for grants to facilitate engagement sessions with a diverse range of stakeholders.
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26 November

Suicide prevention grants to double, focus on at-risk groups
Through the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program Grant Opportunity, $114 million will be available for national projects that will raise awareness of the impact of suicide and support Australians who are at risk. Specific vulnerable groups - including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, veterans, men, regional communities, and culturally and linguistically diverse communities - have been identified as the primary focus of the Grant Opportunity as these groups have higher rates of suicide than the general population, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt and Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention David Coleman.
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Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide hearings begin
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has opened in Brisbane, with a ceremonial hearing beginning the proceedings. 'On Monday, current and ex-service personnel and their families will begin sharing their very personal stories in Brisbane at the first of many public hearings to be held around the country,' said Minister for Veterans' Affairs Andrew Gee.
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System

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Pharmaceuticals and Regulation

3 December

QLD: New Health Ombudsman appointed
Dr Lynne Coulson Barr OAM has been appointed Queensland's new Health Ombudsman. Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D'Ath said Dr Coulson Barr brings strong skills and experience to the role. 'Dr Lynne Coulson Barr joins us from Victoria, where she most recently was the inaugural Mental Health Complaints Commissioner,' Minister D'Ath said. 'She has a distinguished career in statutory complaint leadership roles, and has extensive experience in the disability, mental health and health sectors. The work Dr Coulson Barr has completed throughout her career has made her nationally and internationally renowned.'
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2 December

ACCC re-authorises coordinated health provider response to COVID
The ACCC issued final determinations granting authorisation to 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, sought authorisation to allow coordination between themselves and various participating private healthcare providers, with supply by those providers of resources and services to the overall response to COVID-19 coordinated by the Various States and Territories.
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PSA thanked Minister Hunt for his outstanding service
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) applauded the Hon Greg Hunt MP for his service as Minister for Health and Aged Care. Announced today during the final parliamentary sitting for 2021, Minister Hunt confirmed that he will be stepping away from politics after next year's Federal Election. PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, thanked the Minister for his service to the nation and paid tribute to his leadership throughout recent health crises. 'Today's announcement that Minister Hunt will step away from politics following next year's election truly signifies the end of an era - and I thank him deeply for his efforts over the past four years.'
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Medicines Australia thanks Minister Greg Hunt
Medicines Australia wished to thank the Hon Greg Hunt MP for his service to Australian patients and the health industry, following his announcement to retire from Parliament at the next election. Minister Hunt has been the Minister for Health and Aged Care since 2017 and has been an energetic and active Health Minister, not least in his leadership of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 'I have had the honour of working closely with Minister Hunt over the past four years, to achieve measures that assist Australian patients today and into the future,' said Dr Anna Lavelle, Chair of Medicines Australia.
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1 December

Nexviazyme
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said that The Australian Prescription Medicine Decision Summary provides a short overview of the TGA's evaluation process leading to the registration of a new prescription medicine on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
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NSW company KL4 Pty Ltd (Medcure) fined $106,560 for alleged unlawful importation of Ayurvedic medicines
TGA has issued eight infringement notices totalling $106,560 to KL4 Pty Ltd (trading as Medcure), for the alleged importation of Ayurvedic medicines in breach of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act). The company allegedly imported Ayurvedic medicines that were not entered in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) at the time of importation, including Ayurvedic medicines containing Schedule 10 substances in the current Poisons Standard. These medicines are of such danger to health they are banned from sale, supply and use in Australia.
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TGA Provisional Approval of Roche Products Pty Ltd COVID-19 treatment, tocilizumab (ACTEMRA)
TGA granted provisional approval to Roche Products Pty Ltd for the use of tocilizumab (ACTEMRA) for the treatment of COVID-19. This is the fourth COVID-19 treatment to receive regulatory approval in Australia. Tocilizumab (ACTEMRA) is already approved and included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) for use in the treatment of various types of arthritis and inflammatory conditions. This monoclonal antibody treatment is now also provisionally approved for the intravenous treatment of confirmed COVID-19 in hospitalised adults aged 18 years and older who are receiving systemic corticosteroids and require supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation.
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HIV self-testing devices to roll out
Marking World Aids Day, 1 December, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia confirmed HIV self-test devices will become available through community pharmacies. AIDS response organisations have described availability of the self-test devices as a critically important additional tool to help people know their HIV status. The move to offer HIV self-test devices through community pharmacies is consistent with the National HIV Strategy 2018-2022. This Strategy includes a priority to 'improve the frequency, regularity and targeting of access to testing for priority populations and to decrease the rate of late diagnoses'.
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30 November

PHI 84/21 Update to the CRIS - Administration of Prostheses list & National Joint Replacement Registry - 2021 to 2022
The CRIS documents were updated on 30 November 2021 to report the financial results for the 2020-21 financial year. The documents also include financial forecasts for 2021-22 and future financial years. Cost recovery arrangements for administration of the PL will be revised as part of the reforms announced by Government in the 2021-22 Budget. Consultation on revised fees to align with modern PL listing pathways will be undertaken during 2022, said the Department of Health.
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PHI 85/21 National Joint Replacement Register levy imposed on 30 November 2021
The NJRR is administered by Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA), and is funded under the Commonwealth grant agreement. The funds for the agreement are fully cost-recovered from the sponsors of the joint replacement prostheses listed on the Prostheses List, by collecting the NJRR levies on an annual basis. The Department of Health has issued invoices for these levies to the relevant sponsors.
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NSW individual fined $7,992 for alleged unlawful advertising of ivermectin and zinc for COVID-19
TGA has issued three infringement notices totalling $7,992 to an individual for allegedly advertising ivermectin and zinc lozenges to treat COVID-19 in breach of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. Ivermectin is a prescription only medicine and cannot be advertised to the Australian public. The TGA has previously warned consumers and advertisers about illegal advertising relating to COVID-19.
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29 November

Consultation: Proposed changes to Required Advisory Statements for Medicine Labels (RASML): Sedating antihistamines
TGA conducted a public consultation and sought comments from interested parties on changes to current requirements for advisory statements for labels of non-prescription medicines containing antihistamines indicated for short term use in insomnia (diphenhydramine, doxylamine and promethazine), as included in the Required Advisory Statements for Medicine Labels (RASML) document.
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Consultation: Proposed changes to Required Advisory Statements for Medicine Labels (RASML): Methyl salicylate
TGA conducted a public consultation seeking comments from interested parties on changes to current requirements for advisory statements for labels of non-prescription medicines containing methyl salicylate for dermal use, as included in the Required Advisory Statements for Medicine Labels (RASML) document.
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Consultation: Australian Medical Device Regulations definition of Central Circulatory System (CCS)
The definition of the Central Circulatory System (CCS) within the Australian medical device framework is reflected in the Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices) Regulations 2002(link is external) (the Regulations), which was established from 2002. In developing the Regulations in the early 2000s, a risk-based approach was taken to include the common iliac arteries in the definition of the CCS, said the TGA.
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Verquvo
The Australian Prescription Medicine Decision Summary provides a short overview of the TGA's evaluation process leading to the registration of a new prescription medicine on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). More in-depth information about the evaluation will be available in the Australian Public Assessment Report (AusPAR) for a particular prescription medicine, which can be found on the AusPAR search page once published.
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Atomo's HIV Self-Test launched through pharmacy channels
Atomo Diagnostics, the manufacturer and supplier of Australia's only TGA approved HIV Self-Test, and the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) have aligned to help counter the spread of HIV/AIDS locally. The alliance will be marked to coincide with World AIDS Day on December 1. The elimination of HIV transmission remains a key focus for both Australia's LGBTIQ Community and the Australian Government, and the availability of self-testing throughout many pharmacies come mid- December, should help toward making that goal achievable.
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