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)

13 May

Australia secures Moderna Vaccines
The Australian Government has secured 25 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to further diversify its vaccine portfolio as well as provide access to a booster or variant vaccine should this be required in the future. As confirmed in the 2021-22 Budget, the Government will commence an approach to market for mRNA manufacturing capacity in Australia. The Government also remains in discussions with Moderna in relation to establishing a manufacturing facility in Australia for mRNA vaccines, said Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt and Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter.
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COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) closely monitors suspected side effects (also known as adverse events) from the use of COVID-19 vaccines. Importantly, adverse events reported to the TGA are often not caused by the vaccine itself. Learn more about causality. Gathering reports of adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) is just the first step in determining whether or not the effect is related to the vaccine and whether a significant safety issue is involved.
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NSW: Australian-first COVID vaccinations for foreign seafarers in Port Botany must be extended nationally
In an Australian-first, NSW Health will provide COVID-19 vaccinations to a small number of foreign seafarers onboard vessels that transport gas between Australian ports in an effort to reduce the risk of the virus entering the community. The Maritime Union of Australia welcomed the initiative between NSW Health and NSW Ports, which will cover vessels that regularly visit the Port Botany Bulk Liquids Berth, but said the model must be rolled out nationally to reduce the risk of COVID transmission to waterfront workers.
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WA: Pre-lockdown life to resume in full
The Perth and Peel regions will return to pre-lockdown life from 12.01am Saturday, May 15, following the latest public health advice. No new community cases have been detected in the Perth and Peel regions since the detection of the last community case on Saturday, May 1. Western Australians are reminded to register their contact details via the SafeWA app or written contact register at businesses and venues where contact registers are mandatory, said WA Premier Mark McGowan.
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WA: COVID-19 update 13 May 2021
The WA Department of Health has reported no new cases of COVID-19. The State's total remains at 1015. WA Health is monitoring 13 active cases of COVID-19 and 993 people have recovered from the virus in WA. To date, the WA Department of Health has administered 122,069 COVID-19 vaccinations, including 28,338 people who have received both doses.
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12 May

Budget 2021-2022 - COVID-19 vax roll-out
Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA) said that the Budget committed $1.9 billion to the COVID-19 vaccine program, including $35.8 million for a pharmacy program. Announcing the measure, the Government said that central to the Government's vaccine program was the distribution and availability of free COVID-19 vaccines to everyone living in Australia who choose to be vaccinated. The Government is also providing $1.7 million to the national COVID-19 vaccination training program to ensure the health workforce is appropriately and consistently skilled, given the specialised requirements for administering these vaccines. Additional funding of $233.8 million is also being provided to ensure the safe distribution of vaccine doses around Australia, including cold chain storage and logistics and the supply of necessary consumables.
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On course for recovery
The PGA said that: 'The Federal Budget this year has confirmed that the Government's sights are firmly set on ensuring the fastest - and fullest - economic recovery for Australia from the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve this, the Government is spending up in a big way and quite determinedly moving from its previous mantra of 'back in the black' to one where red ink is nothing to be ashamed of. One of the items in the Budget that is of great importance to community pharmacies and their patients is the recognition of the role community pharmacy must play in the COVID-19 vaccination rollout. This is reflected in $35.8 million being allocated for a temporary community pharmacy program which will use the 'national network of world-class community pharmacies' to administer vaccines to patients in Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the rollout.'
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APP for latest on COVID-19 vax
The PGA said that community pharmacists are often the first point of call for patients' COVID-19 vaccine related questions. At APP, community pharmacy and the wider industry will hear the latest updates from leaders in charge of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. A new session has been added to the program - Confidently answering your patient's COVID-19 vaccine questions: thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome - to provide an update on the challenges of deploying a new large-scale COVID-19 vaccination program in Australia. With the landscape constantly changing, attendees have a unique opportunity to get the latest COVID-19 vaccination rollout updates The program is also packed with post-COVID-19 updates around the Australian economy, the pharmacy market, consumers, rentals and the future of community pharmacy.
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Technology shines during pandemic
The PGA said that one of the few positives to be seen from the abrupt changes needed to deal with the pandemic has been the increased uptake of technology in many pharmacies in WA. And according to Michelle McAnuff, proprietor of Brentwood Pharmacy in WA, the combination of this technology, and the speed with which the State's Health Department has facilitated its implementation, has made a world of difference. 'The enhanced use of technology arising from the pandemic is fantastic,' she said. 'The quick adoption of a lot of the changes, particularly by the WA Health Department, has made a massive difference to us.'
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SA: COVID-19 update 12 May 2021
There has been one new case of COVID-19, reported from a medi-hotel, said the SA Department of Health. There have been a total of 741 cases notified in South Australia. The case is a man in his 20s, who acquired his infection overseas and has been in a medi-hotel since his arrival. A man and woman in their 30s both remain in the Royal Adelaide Hospital in stable conditions.
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WA: COVID-19 update 12 May 2021
The WA Department of Health has reported no new cases of COVID-19. The State's total remains at 1015. WA Health is monitoring 13 active cases of COVID-19 and 993 people have recovered from the virus in WA. To date, the WA Department of Health has administered 119,871 COVID-19 vaccinations, including 27,681 people who have received both doses. The Commonwealth Government vaccination national roll-out figures can be found on the Australian Department of Health website (external site).
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11 May

NSW: Public Health Alert - Victoria
NSW Health continues to closely monitor the situation in Victoria as local health authorities investigate the COVID-19 case detected in the Greater Melbourne community. People arriving in Sydney from the Greater Melbourne area from 6am on Wednesday 12 May must complete a declaration which confirms they have not attended a venue of concern. These declaration forms will be available on the Service NSW website.
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SA: COVID-19 Update
SA Health said: 'There are no new cases of COVID-19 today. There have been a total of 740 cases notified in South Australia. A man who completed quarantine in SA on Tuesday 4 May has today tested positive to COVID-19 in Victoria. While the man was not infectious in SA, we are investigating whether he may have contracted his infection during his stay in hotel quarantine. A man and woman in their 30s both remain in the Royal Adelaide Hospital in stable conditions.'
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WA: Success with cruise ship COVID management highlighted
The successful response to the COVID-19 outbreak on the MV Artania cruise ship off Western Australia's coast last year is now the focus of a published scientific paper said WA Health. Successful Control of an Onboard COVID-19 Outbreak Using the Cruise Ship as a Quarantine Facility, Western Australia (external site) has been published in the Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal. The peer-reviewed journal is published monthly by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a United States federal government agency.
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WA: COVID-19 update
WA Health has issued advice for travellers who have recently returned from Victoria with a public health alert issued for parts of Melbourne. Victoria's Department of Health and Human Service issued the alert following the detection of a positive COVID-19 case in the Melbourne community. WA's Chief Health Officer, Dr Andrew Robertson, said anyone who had visited exposure sites in Victoria at the specified times should get tested immediately for COVID-19 and quarantine for 14 days from the date of exposure. The case was likely infectious from 6 -10 May.
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9 May

NSW: Mass vaccination centre opens
The mass vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park has opened with thousands of people booked in to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. During its first weeks of operation, the centre will focus on delivering Pfizer vaccinations to priority groups including healthcare workers, emergency services workers as well as quarantine and border workers and their households. Bookings are required. Members of the general public aged 40-49 are invited to register their interest in receiving the Pfizer vaccine through NSW Health. They will be contacted when a booking is available. People aged 40-49 can register. From Wednesday 12 May, people aged 50 and over can book their AstraZeneca jab at the mass vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park, said NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
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7 May

Resumption of Indian repatriation flights to Howard Springs
Government chartered repatriation flights to the Centre for National Resilience at Howard Springs for Australians returning from India will resume on May 15, after the completion of the current temporary ban on re-entry, the Federal and NT Governments confirmed. Since the pause on flights from India commenced there has been a sustained reduction in COVID-19 positive cases originating from India in Australia's quarantine system. The National Security Committee of Cabinet was advised that the pause was working and that this would allow the repatriation flights to resume after May 15, said Prime Minister Morrison and NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner.
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Getting urgently needed COVID-19 supplies to Fiji
The Government has helped arrange the delivery of urgently needed stocks of medical-grade ethanol to Fiji. The ethanol is used in COVID-19 testing kits. Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan congratulated Manildra Group for its quick response and said the humanitarian value of the exercise far outweighed the cost of the goods and airfreight. Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja said Australia is supporting Fiji as they work to contain a current rise in case numbers.
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Aged Care

13 May

Aged Care Budget: Neglect Continues
'The new spend on Aged Care in the Federal Budget is an extremely disappointing response to the Government's own Royal Commission', said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society. 'It basically ignores the most immediate and pressing recommendations of the Royal Commission. It has dramatically increased funding but much of its promises are in the future,' said Dr Woodruff. 'The title of the interim report of the Royal Commission was starkly called 'Neglect'. Neglect continues under a Government more interested in funding a questionable fossil fuel funded recovery of our economy than care for the neglected Aged Care sector.'
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12 May

Aged care commitments fall short
Health Services Union (HSU) National President Gerard Hayes said that 'Aged care has been in chronic crisis for years and this funding package won't change that. This barely makes up for the $10 billion worth of cuts that have been inflicted over the last eight years. For carers, therapists and support workers there is no commitment to permanent, better paid jobs. Clearly, the Government's plan is to continue exploiting the goodwill of an insecure, underpaid workforce of women. To properly attract and retain a dedicated workforce, the Government must commit to paying aged care workers more than $21 an hour. It had a chance to do that tonight and it failed.'
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Aged care repair underway but more to be done
National Seniors Australia welcomed the extra 80,000 Home Care Packages (HCP) as part of this year's budget as well as additional care time for residents in residential aged care. However, Australia's peak consumer body for older Australians is disappointed that thousands of people needing the highest level of home care will still be waiting. National Seniors Chief Advocate, Ian Henschke says the boost in Home Care Packages shows the Government has listened. 'Since day one of the Royal Commission when home care was described as the running sore in aged care, we have campaigned hard to get extra packages after 16,000 older Australians died waiting for a HCP in one twelve month period.'
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Leading Aged Services Australia shows strong support for nurses in aged care
Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) supported extra nurses in aged care and a workforce program to attract and retain nursing talent in the industry. LASA CEO Sean Rooney said the value of qualified nurses in aged care should not be underestimated and is calling on the Government to implement recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. The Royal Commission recommended minimum quality and safety standards for staff time in residential aged care, including a mix of registered nurses and enrolled nurses alongside personal care workers, with at least one registered nurse on-site at all times.
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Budget 2021: How much would it really cost to get rid of the home care waiting list?
Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association of NSW (CPSA) said that the Aged Care Royal Commission recommended the Government get rid of the waiting list for Home Care Packages (HCPs) by 31 December 2021. That's this year, and it would require some heavy-duty budgetary fireworks, because the waiting list is lengthy. Here's a detailed calculation of how much it would cost at a minimum. The Treasurer announced $6.5 billion for 80,000 new HCPs over the next four years. Announcements of new packages are best ignored. What counts is:
- the number of people waiting for a package at their assessed level (level1, 2, 3 or 4);
- what it would cost to supply those packages;
- the appropriation the Government is making.
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11 May

Federal Budget delivers historic aged care reform
The aged care sector welcomed the Australian Government's formal response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which includes a record funding increase of $17.7 billion over the next four years. The Australian Aged Care Collaboration (AACC), which represents more than 1,000 providers, congratulated the Australian Government on agreeing to implement most of the Royal Commission's 148 recommendations. AACC representative Patricia Sparrow said that after 20 government reviews in 20 years, this Budget, and the government's response to the Royal Commission's recommendations, finally addressed many of the challenges facing aged care.
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ANMF said aged care budget falls short of reform promise
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) said the $17.7 Billion for aged care in the Budget is definitely not the 'once in a generation' reform package promised by the Morrison Government and won't be anywhere near enough to provide safe, quality care for vulnerable nursing home residents. The ANMF says the commitment to introduce regulated care hours for residents acknowledges that the Government now understands that staffing is at the heart of best practice care, but it should have gone further and mandated minimum staffing levels commencing now, with a registered nurse on-site 24/7 - as the Royal Commission's Final Report had recommended.
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Aged care commitments fall short
Health Services Union (HSU) National President Gerard Hayes said that: 'Aged care has been in chronic crisis for years and this funding package won't change that. This barely makes up for the $10 billion worth of cuts that have been inflicted over the last eight years. For carers, therapists and support workers there is no commitment to permanent, better paid jobs. Clearly, the Government's plan is to continue exploiting the goodwill of an insecure, underpaid workforce of women. To properly attract and retain a dedicated workforce, the Government must commit to paying aged care workers more than $21 an hour. It had a chance to do that tonight and it failed.'
Download

Budget Funding Set to boost Australia's digital therapeutics industry, said Specialist Investor
Bioscience Managers said that Australia's rapidly-growing digital therapeutics (DTx) industry is poised to benefit from funding announced as part of the 2021-22 Budget, creating high-value jobs and improving care for patients, especially in the aged care, mental health and rural health sectors. The $17.7 billion aged care funding package, rightly regarded as one of the centre-pieces of the Budget, will deliver funds to improve resources for residential facilities and increase support for the elderly to stay in their own homes.
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7 May

Budget must fund pharmacists for aged care to end avoidable deaths
Now is the time for action on medicine management in aged care. The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) urges the Government to fund pharmacists for aged care facilities in the upcoming 2021-22 Federal Budget. Older Australians in residential aged care facilities continue to face significant threats to their health due to harm arising from misuse or mismanagement of their medications. PSA National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, said older Australians are paying the price with either their life or their quality of life.
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Devastating human toll in aged care confirmed
The Australia Institute's Centre for Future Work report on aged care funding reveals once again the terrible human cost paid for years of neglect, Carolyn Smith, Aged Care Director of United Workers Union, said. 'The report's finding that $10 billion in aged care funding each year is necessary to meet Royal Commission recommendations is an appalling indictment on the treatment of older Australians,' Ms Smith said. 'It is the same figure the Royal Commission reached when it found Federal Government funding in 2018-19 was $9.8 billion lower annually than it should be if aged care had not suffered cutback after cutback.'
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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

12 March

Budget moves for youth health welcome as a first step
The $2.3 billion investment in mental health and suicide prevention is a welcome first step on the road to much needed mental health system reform, the Consumers Health Forum of Australia Youth Health Forum said. 'It is promising to see a number of the Productivity Commission's priority recommendations addressed in this budget,' the spokesperson for the Youth Health Forum, Roxxanne MacDonald, said. 'For young people in particular, this includes the $158.6 million investment in care for people discharged from hospital after a suicide attempt, investment in developing the peer workforce, and targeted funding to involve family and carers in treatment provided under Better Access.'
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11 March

QLD: QFES personnel tackle 710km on two wheels to raise funds for Queensland Children's Hospital
More than 30 fire and emergency services personnel will ditch the uniform for Lycra as they set off on a seven-day, 710km ride from Gympie to Brisbane as part of Bike 4 Burns 2021. Bike 4 Burns is an annual charity ride that raises money for the Children's Hospital Foundation, specifically its Burns and Trauma Research Group. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Commissioner Greg Leach said since the ride began in 2007, it had raised more than $755,000 and had set a goal to surpass $800,000 this year. 'We have 33 QFES personnel taking part in the marathon ride this year, along with two of our colleagues from the Queensland Police Service (QPS),' Mr Leach said.
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Clinical Governance

13 May

PHI 25/21 Prostheses List Reforms
Through the 2021-22 Federal Budget, the Australian Government announced an investment of $22 million over four years to improve the Prostheses List and its arrangements, said the Department of Health. These reforms build on the reform activities which many people have contributed to over the past three years. The Prostheses List will continue to be the way in which hospitals, insurers and device companies know what benefits are payable for listed prostheses.
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Medical devices reforms: Reclassification of certain medical devices
The TGA is considering certain devices and their current classification - particularly where there have been safety issues identified and/or where the European Union has made changes to its classification systems. Its aim is to where possible and appropriate, harmonise the Australian classification rules to safeguard patients, harmonise requirements, facilitate smooth operation of the market and ensure timely access to medical devices.
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Construction and Health Infrastructure

None this edition.

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Dental

None this edition.

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Disabilities

12 May

Guaranteeing access to essential supports and services
The National Disability Services (NDS) said that the Australian Government continued to guarantee vital supports and services for Australians by investing in the world-leading National Disability Insurance Scheme, the care and support workforce and myGov, as part of its plan to secure Australia's recovery. Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Government Services Linda Reynolds said the Australian Government is providing an additional $13.2 billion up until 2023-24 for disability supports under the NDIS. This is in addition to the extra $3.9 billion included in the 2020-21 Budget.
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#Budget2021 'not a budget for people with disability'
People with Disability Australia (PWDA) welcomed $13.2 billion of funding for the National Disability Insurance Scheme but has dubbed the latest Federal Budget 'not a budget for people with disability.' The federal government will put in an extra $13.2b for the NDIS to be spent over four years. The disabled people's organisation was the only disability organisation in the Federal Budget 2021 lockdown and said key asks from the disability sector were overlooked in the budget. PWDA president Samantha Connor, who has read the budget, said people with disability had missed out.
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11 May

NDIS budget lies exposed
Shadow Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill Shorten said that: 'the Government hype that NDIS projected spending of $30 billion by 2024-25 represents a crisis is contradicted by their own scheme modelling. It would be nice to have a budget where the Liberals did not treat the NDIS as its ATM or its whipping boy. People with disability deserve better than rubbery figures, spooky music and silly parlour games from those at the helm of this vital national scheme. Put the hype factory on hold Mr Morrison and Ms Reynolds and just be straight with the Australian public.:
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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

13 May

Patient immunisation details now more easily available to healthcare providers in their clinical information systems
Australian healthcare providers now have an improved and consolidated view of their patients' immunisation details through My Health Record. This is important as the world continues to face the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 and shows how the national digital health system can support the response to both this and future pandemics. Australian Digital Health Agency Chief Clinical Adviser, Dr Steve Hambleton, said the latest update to the system makes it much easier to see patient immunisation information.
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Pharmacists more prepared for COVID-19 vaccine roll out thanks to the Australian Digital Health Agency's support
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) extends thanks to the Australian Digital Health Agency for their support of the recent COVID-19 Roadshow Series. In recent weeks, the PSA has conducted workshops across Australia's capital cities to provide pharmacists with the latest information on pharmacist-delivered COVID-19 vaccines and supporting patients with questions and addressing vaccine hesitancy. Digital tools enabling better and safer care was a key feature of the conversation, including uploading to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR), efficient ways for viewing vaccine histories, including through the Clinical Vaccine Integrated Platform (CVIP).
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12 May

Budget 2021-2022 - Digital health
Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA) said that the Government announced in the Budget that it will invest $503 million to transform digital health in Australia, resulting in a modern, integrated health system. These investments include:
- $301.8 million for the next wave of My Health Record (MHR), leveraging the connections already in place and ensuring a more coordinated healthcare future for Australia while also stimulating economic recovery from COVID-19.
- $87.5 million for operational funding for the Australian Digital Health Agency, with a focus on implementing lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic to help improve system preparedness and responsiveness.
- $32.3 million for continued funding for the 2018-2022 Intergovernmental Agreement on National Digital Health (IGA). This will ensure interoperability within Australia's national digital health infrastructure to deliver improvements to health system quality and safety, accountability, transparency and patient-centred healthcare.
Download

11 May

Budget Funding Set to boost Australia's digital therapeutics industry, said Specialist Investor
Bioscience Managers said that Australia's rapidly-growing digital therapeutics (DTx) industry is poised to benefit from funding announced as part of the 2021-22 Budget, creating high-value jobs and improving care for patients, especially in the aged care, mental health and rural health sectors. The $17.7 billion aged care funding package, rightly regarded as one of the centre-pieces of the Budget, will deliver funds to improve resources for residential facilities and increase support for the elderly to stay in their own homes.
Download

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Education and Training

12 May

BSEM in action: Eastern Fleurieu R-12 School - increasing capacity for student engagement and learning
Berry Street said that the BSEM team is excited to share stories of schools in action as they work collaboratively towards meeting the learning needs of their students. Research indicates that all students benefit from a trauma informed approach. This is why Eastern Fleurieu School is committed to being recognised as a Trauma Aware School. The strategies below are implemented in every classroom at every site across out multi campus R-12 school, supporting positive education and wellbeing for students and staff.
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11 May

WA: New health and pathology course to help with COVID-19 response
The Western Australia Government has announced two new free skill sets and added the Certificate III in Pathology Collection to the Lower fees, local skills initiative to meet the urgent demand for trained pathology and COVID-19 specimen collectors, said WA Minister for Health Roger Cook. Pathology workers are in high demand, playing a frontline and crucial role in Western Australia's COVID-19 response. Free for everyone, the short courses have been developed in consultation with industry and will deliver highly transferable skills to prepare participants for work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, GP clinics and a range of other healthcare settings.
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Funding

13 May

WA: Funding to boost WA medical technology and pharmaceutical manufacturers and create new jobs
WA Minister for Science Roger Cook said that the WA Government and MTPConnect are investing $400,000 into local businesses to boost Medical Technology and Pharmaceutical manufacturing (MTP) through the $16.7 million New Industries Fund. The new program aims to accelerate the development and manufacturing of MTP products in Western Australia, such as medical devices, diagnostics, biologics and pharmaceuticals. Grants of between $50,000 and $100,000 will capitalise on WA's significant capability in MTP research to grow the sector and generate new job opportunities.
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12 May

Investment to strengthen sport across Australia
The Government has strengthened its investment in sport as part of the 2021-22 Budget. Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said the Budget commitment would span school sport right through to high performance programs ensuring the health and wellbeing of Australians at every level. 'Sport is a centrepiece of our way of life in Australia and the Morrison Government has never been more committed to ensuring it remains accessible to anybody with a passion to compete or just improve their health and wellbeing,' Minister Colbeck said.
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Sport Australia welcomes Sporting Schools funding boost
Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has welcomed the Australian Government's continued investment in keeping kids active through sport with funding announced in the 2021-22 Federal Budget to extend the Sporting Schools program. The program, which has reached 77 per cent of schools in its first five years, received a further $40.8 million in Tuesday's budget to continue the program until the end of 2022. Australian Sports Commission Chair Josephine Sukkar AMs aid the funding will ensure even more children across Australia experience the physical, social and psychological benefits of participation in sport.
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Budget 2021-2022 - Headline items
Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA) said that the Federal Budget contained a number of headline items focused on the health sector. These included:
- $17.7 billion over four years to fund aged care reforms.
- Fully funding the NDIS with an additional $13.2 billion over four years to 2023-24.
- $2.3 billion for improved and expanded mental health care and suicide prevention.
- $11.5 million to extend the Home Medicines Service and continued dispensing arrangements to support access to medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
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PSA welcomed the Government's commitment to aged care, but more must be done
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomed the Government's announcement on women's health, mental health and aged care sector following the Federal Budget. The Government has announced it will commit $17.7bn on aged care along with $1.9bn in additional funding for COVID-19 vaccine program. A commitment has also been made to extend funding to the take-home naloxone pilot. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia National President, A/Prof Chris Freeman, commended the Federal Government for their decision, but says more must be done to safeguard residents from the harms medicine mismanagement is causing.
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Budget 2021-2022 - Business measures
Pharmacy Guild of Australia said that the Budget did not include all of the hoped for measures, especially those which have a significant impact on the business of community pharmacy such as payroll tax, stamp duty, and the industrial relations system. The measures include:
- Extending temporary full expensing and temporary loss carry-back to provide an additional $20.7 billion in tax relief over the forward estimates. Specifically, extending temporary full expensing for an additional year until 30 June 2023. Temporary loss carry-back is also being extended to include the 2022-23 income year.
- An additional $2.7 billion to extend and expand the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements (BAC) wage subsidy.
- An additional $500 million to expand the JobTrainer Fund, subject to matched funding by state and territory governments.
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Budget 2021-2022 - COVID-19 vax roll-out
PGA said that the Budget committed $1.9 billion to the COVID-19 vaccine program, including $35.8 million for a pharmacy program. Announcing the measure, the Government said that central to the Government's vaccine program was the distribution and availability of free COVID-19 vaccines to everyone living in Australia who choose to be vaccinated. The Government is also providing $1.7 million to the national COVID-19 vaccination training program to ensure the health workforce is appropriately and consistently skilled, given the specialised requirements for administering these vaccines. Additional funding of $233.8 million is also being provided to ensure the safe distribution of vaccine doses around Australia, including cold chain storage and logistics and the supply of necessary consumables.
Download

Budget 2021-2022 - Digital health
Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA) said that the Government announced in the Budget that it will invest $503 million to transform digital health in Australia, resulting in a modern, integrated health system. These investments include:
- $301.8 million for the next wave of My Health Record (MHR), leveraging the connections already in place and ensuring a more coordinated healthcare future for Australia while also stimulating economic recovery from COVID-19;
- $87.5 million for operational funding for the Australian Digital Health Agency, with a focus on implementing lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic to help improve system preparedness and responsiveness; and
- $32.3 million for continued funding for the 2018-2022 Intergovernmental Agreement on National Digital Health (IGA). This will ensure interoperability within Australia's national digital health infrastructure to deliver improvements to health system quality and safety, accountability, transparency and patient-centred healthcare.
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On course for recovery
The PGA said that: 'The Federal Budget this year has confirmed that the Government's sights are firmly set on ensuring the fastest - and fullest - economic recovery for Australia from the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve this, the Government is spending up in a big way and quite determinedly moving from its previous mantra of 'back in the black' to one where red ink is nothing to be ashamed of. One of the items in the Budget that is of great importance to community pharmacies and their patients is the recognition of the role community pharmacy must play in the COVID-19 vaccination rollout. This is reflected in $35.8 million being allocated for a temporary community pharmacy program which will use the 'national network of world-class community pharmacies' to administer vaccines to patients in Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the rollout.'
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11 May

$17.7 billion to deliver once in a generation change to aged care in Australia
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Minister for Health Greg Hunt and Minister for Senior Australians Richard Colbeck said that in response to the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the Government will deliver a $17.7 billion package of support and a once in a generation reform to aged care to deliver respect, care and dignity to senior Australians. This investment of an additional $17.7 billion will deliver generational change with improved quality care, increased viability in the sector with services respecting the needs and choices of senior Australians.
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Historic $2.3 billion National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan
Prime Minister Morrison, Minister Hunt and Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention David Coleman said that Government is continuing to guarantee essential services by investing $2.3 billion in the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan to lead landmark reform in mental health support and treatment for Australians in need. The Morrison Government is committed to working towards zero suicides and transforming the mental health system to ensure that all Australians can access the right care and essential services whenever and wherever they need.
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Generational change and record investment in the health of Australians
Minister Hunt, Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck and Assistant Minister Coleman said: 'The Government is investing a record $121.4 billion in 2021-22 and $503 billion over the next four years, providing more support to Australians as we face some of the greatest health challenges in a generation. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, we have committed over $25 billion towards our COVID-19 health response.'
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Stretched health system is powering the national economy
The Federal Budget rightly focuses on the nation's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia Medical Association (AMA) President, Dr Omar Khorshid, said. 'The Government has done a good job in protecting Australians from the global pandemic, and tonight's budget continues spending on the COVID-19 health response,' Dr Khorshid said. 'Health has been Australia's hero throughout COVID. Investing in health not only saves lives, it's saving the economy. This Budget is clearly designed to help with the economic recovery. Dr Khorshid pointed to $17.7 billion in aged care expenditure and $2.3 billion in mental health care as supporting much needed improvements for access to health and aged care.'
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Health Professionals

12 May

International Nurses Day 2021: Nurses leading the way
On International Nurses Day (IND), the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) and its members called on us all to acknowledge and celebrate the critical contribution nurses make in caring for the community each and every day. ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler said nurses have been at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19 in Australia and across the world and are continuing to staff vaccination centres.
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QLD: Happy International Nurses Day
12 MAY: Queenslanders said thanks to those at the heart of healthcare on International Nurses Day said Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D'Ath. Minister D'Ath praised frontline staff for their constant care and compassion for Queenslanders. 'Queensland nurses are the backbone of our health system and more importantly, they are patient advocates often also counselling families during difficult times,' Ms D'Ath said. 'Nurses and midwives make up 63 per cent of the clinical workforce in Queensland. This equates to more than 46,000 individuals supporting our community around the clock.'
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11 May

WA: Accolades to honour pillars of nursing and midwifery
Western Australia Minister for Health Roger Cook said that outstanding Western Australian nurses and midwives will get their night in the spotlight when the 2020 WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards are presented. The awards, which have been held annually since 2004, acknowledge WA nurses and midwives working across the private, public and non-government sectors. The awards are presented across 12 categories. Two other honours - the Nurse/Midwife of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award - will also be presented on the night. This year's event will include a special tribute to the 19 nurses who flew east last year to help their Victorian counterparts during the COVID emergency.
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10 May

Rural doctors' welcome GP Accreditation shakeup
The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) welcomed the Department of Health's advice that they will be conducting a review of General Practice Accreditation. RDAA President Dr John Hall said that RDAA has been calling for this and were very pleased the Department was acting so quickly. 'The current processes for GP practice accreditation and GP training accreditation are full of red tape and unnecessary duplication,' Dr Hall said. 'We welcome this review, which was a priority area requested in the RDAA Rural Medical Workforce Plan, and it is great to see the Government and the Department listening to industry feedback and taking a closer look at these arrangements.
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Hospitals

11 May

ACT: A safer, greener, more accessible Canberra Hospital campus
The first round of public consultation for the Canberra Hospital Master Plan has been completed. The Your Say 'What We Heard' report highlights Canberrans wish for a more accessible and connected hospital campus. Over a six-week period, the ACT Government undertook community and stakeholder engagement to understand what the community and campus users believe is important and what they believe needs to change across the Canberra Hospital campus. More than 530 individuals and groups provided feedback on the Canberra Hospital campus and its development over the next 20 years. ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the Canberra Hospital Master Plan is another step in the ongoing modernisation of the Canberra Hospital.
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QLD: QFES personnel tackle 710km on two wheels to raise funds for Queensland Children's Hospital
More than 30 fire and emergency services personnel will ditch the uniform for Lycra as they set off on a seven-day, 710km ride from Gympie to Brisbane as part of Bike 4 Burns 2021. Bike 4 Burns is an annual charity ride that raises money for the Children's Hospital Foundation, specifically its Burns and Trauma Research Group. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Commissioner Greg Leach said since the ride began in 2007, it had raised more than $755,000 and had set a goal to surpass $800,000 this year. 'We have 33 QFES personnel taking part in the marathon ride this year, along with two of our colleagues from the Queensland Police Service (QPS),' Mr Leach said.
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7 May

VIC: More ambulances, more paramedics and more beds
The Victorian Budget 2021/22 will deliver more than $759 million in funding for more paramedics, more triage care and support staff for Ambulance Victoria, as well as targeted funding to improve flow in busy emergency departments. The investment will also support the opening of new beds in health services across the state, supported by Victoria's hardworking healthcare workforce, said Victoria Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Martin Foley.
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Insurance

11 May

NDIS budget lies exposed
Shadow Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill Shorten said that: 'the Government hype that NDIS projected spending of $30 billion by 2024-25 represents a crisis is contradicted by their own scheme modelling. It would be nice to have a budget where the Liberals did not treat the NDIS as its ATM or its whipping boy. People with disability deserve better than rubbery figures, spooky music and silly parlour games from those at the helm of this vital national scheme. Put the hype factory on hold Mr Morrison and Ms Reynolds and just be straight with the Australian public.:
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Medicare

None this edition.

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Men's Health

10 May

NSW: $6,608 funding to power Denman Men's Shed
Denman Men's Shed has received $6,000 in funding under the NSW Government's COVID- 19 stimulus program to make a switch to renewable energy and increase their capacity. NSW Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey and NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the funding is part of $2.23 million to be allocated state wide for improvements to men's sheds on Crown land under the program. 'Denman Men's Shed is a home away from home for men in the local community allowing them to gather regularly to share their skills, knowledge and experience which helps keeps them active and productive,' Mr Farraway said.
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Mental Health

13 May

Mental health funding means little with no action on prevention
The ACTU is calling for urgent action on workplace mental health as the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work released a damning report that found poor workplace practices that cause mental health issues costs the economy $200-220 billion per year. Whilst unions welcome the budget measures for mental health services it is clear that more needs to be done on prevention. The Government has failed to implement preventative measures to stop mental health injuries from occurring in the first place, especially in workplaces.
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12 May

ReachOut welcomed the Federal Government's significant investment in youth mental health
Australia's most accessed online mental health service for young people ReachOut welcomes the Federal Government's significant $13.1m investment in critical digital mental health services for young Australians. 'COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on the mental health of young people across Australia. At ReachOut, we've seen more demand for our services than ever before,' ReachOut CEO Ashley de Silva said. 'We're thrilled that with this new funding from the Federal Government we'll not only be able to continue meeting ongoing high demand for our services, but invest in innovative new services to ensure young Australians have greater access to world-class mental health support.'
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TAS: Mental Health funding welcomed
Tasmanian Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Jeremy Rockliff said that the Tasmanian Government is working to ensure Tasmanians who need mental health support can get the right care, at the right time, in the right place. It welcomed the funding announced in the 2021 Federal Budget of $2.3 billion for mental health care and suicide prevention, including urgently needed crisis services and the establishment of a National Suicide Prevention Office. An additional $500 million has also been announced to deliver on the ground services to regional and disadvantaged areas which will be delivered through Primary Health Networks.
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QLD: Government backs first responders in PTSD battle
12 MAY: The Queensland Government has made it easier and quicker for Queensland first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to access support and compensation. Parliament passed changes to workers compensation laws that mean that first responders' diagnosed PTSD claims will be deemed work-related and they can get immediate treatment and benefits under the workers' compensation scheme. Queensland Minister for Industrial Relations Grace Grace said that first responders were exposed daily to traumatic incidents that most people could never imagine and the changes provided a smoother pathway to compensation and support.
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11 May

Investment in mental health falls short of Productivity Commission recommendations
Australian Medical Students welcomed the Australian Government's record-breaking mental health investment as an important first step in meeting the Productivity Commission's mental health report recommendations. 'Whilst we welcome tonight's mental health funding announcements, higher investments will be necessary to achieve the benefits associated with the priority reforms as recommended by the Productivity Commission's 2020 mental health report,' Sophie Keen, Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA) President, said. 'The allocation of $2.3 billion in funding the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan will be instrumental in designing a sustainable and effective mental health care system as outlined by the Productivity Commission.'
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Mental health funding vital to 2021 Federal Budget
Australian medical students are hopeful for critical funding to mental health funding and training in the Federal Budget. 'Medical students continue to be an at-risk population for suicide and poor mental health,' Sophie Keen, President of the Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA), said. 'The inclusion of funding for the Every Doctor, Every Setting: A National Framework for the first time in the Budget would demonstrate that the Federal Government is serious about tackling this issue. As Australians continue to access mental health services in record numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is paramount that the Government guarantee the availability of these services to all Australians by continuing their funding.'
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Budget's modest response to aged care and mental health inquiries
The Budget has offered a modest but welcome response to the compelling recommendations for, transformational reform and substantial funding urged by two national inquiries into the unacceptable state of aged care and mental health in Australia, the CEO of the Consumers Health Forum Leanne Wells said. 'The Budget has acknowledged that fundamental reform is required and that this is a long-term game. It has promised new spending of $17.7 billion over four years on top of existing investment. This is a down payment on the additional resourcing desperately required in terms of staffing and services.'
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10 May

Consultation open for defence and veteran suicide royal commission
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack is urging the community to have their say on the Terms of Reference for the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Darren Chester, announced the Royal Commission on 19 April and public consultation on its Terms of Reference is open until 21 May. 'It is important we get this Royal Commission right, starting with the Terms of Reference,' said Mr McCormack, a former Minister for Veterans' Affairs and former Assistant Defence Minister.'
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NSW: $6,608 funding to power Denman Men's Shed
Denman Men's Shed has received $6,000 in funding under the NSW Government's COVID- 19 stimulus program to make a switch to renewable energy and increase their capacity. NSW Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey and NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the funding is part of $2.23 million to be allocated state wide for improvements to men's sheds on Crown land under the program. 'Denman Men's Shed is a home away from home for men in the local community allowing them to gather regularly to share their skills, knowledge and experience which helps keeps them active and productive,' Mr Farraway said.
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7 May

SA: Mental health focus for those experiencing homelessness
South Australians experiencing homelessness in the city will get expanded, specialised mental health support through a new partnership with leading provider Sonder under the biggest shake-up of services in more than a decade. It is the first-time such a prominent mental health provider has been tasked with supporting the most vulnerable experiencing homelessness. Sonder forms part of the new Adelaide South homelessness alliance and will provide inner-city and southern services from July 1, following an open, competitive tender process. SA Minister for Human Services Michelle Lensink said the Sonder support expands on mental health and outreach services that had previously operated in the inner-city.
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System

None this edition.

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Pharmaceuticals and Regulations

13 May

Community Pharmacy in Health Care Homes Trial Program coming to an end
The Australian Government has confirmed that the Community Pharmacy in Health Care Homes Trial Program will end on 30 June 2021 in line with the ending of the broader Health Care Homes Trial, said the Pharmacy Guild of Australia. The Community Pharmacy in Health Care Homes Trial Program is funded by the Australian Government under the Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement (6CPA) as part of a package of measures to support new and expanded 6CPA Community Pharmacy Programs including incorporation of medication management programs within Health Care Homes.
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