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Friday 19 June 2020

 

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)

18 June

Making the workplace COVID safe: Survey shows transformation underway as Australia prepares to get back to the office
Almost 50% of workplaces have been reorganised to meet social distancing requirements, a Governance Institute of Australia member survey has found, with a further 37% currently considering or working on implementing an office overhaul. The 'pulse check' survey of 265 governance and risk management executives has revealed the depth of the impacts of COVID-19 on corporate Australia - and the transformation currently underway in many workplaces as a result. Governance Institute of Australia CEO Megan Motto said the pandemic served to speed up the move to flexible work - and it is essential not to unwind the new level of flexibility with the return to the office.
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NSW: COVID-19 (coronavirus) statistics
Two new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed between 8pm on 16 June and 8pm on 17 June. This brings the total number of cases in NSW to 3,137. Both new cases are returned travellers in hotel quarantine. NSW Health wishes to thank the 17,392 individuals with symptoms who came forward for testing over the past 24 hours, which pushed the state's testing figures to a record high. In total, nearly 680,000 COVID-19 tests have now been carried out in NSW.
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WA: Picture of wellness captured in DETECT Snapshot
The two-week COVID-19 testing blitz on people not showing symptoms across Western Australia has ended with no positive cases detected, said WA Minister for Health Roger Cook. The opportunity for people from identified groups to be tested for COVID-19 produced further evidence that there are no undetected cases COVID-19 in the community. HBF has committed $2.5 million to the project. HBF's contribution covers the full costs of DETECT Snapshot and will provide investment in other COVID-19 related research and innovation projects.
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QLD: Boarding school students back for Term 3
Boarding school students will be able to return to school next term, after some COVID restrictions are eased. Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services Steven Miles said the move followed the latest update from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC). 'Today's announcement means boarding schools will welcome back as many boarding students into their schools as it is safe to do so,' Mr Miles said. 'The AHPPC has now removed the previous advice around a 25 per cent occupancy.'
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TAS: Health and Wellbeing for Women Action Plan 2020-23
Tasmanian Minister for Women for Sarah Courtney
said that the Tasmanian Government is committed to addressing gender inequality and improving the overall health and wellbeing of Tasmanian women as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The Action Plan was developed prior to COVDID-19, and aims to improve the overall health and wellbeing of all women and girls in Tasmania through its focus on five strategic priorities:
- Improving women's maternal, sexual and reproductive health.
- Improving health literacy and targeting preventive health services to address women's health needs.
- Enhancing women's mental health through prevention, early intervention and responsive service delivery.
- Addressing impacts on women's health, such as violence against women and girls, homelessness and other related factors.
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17 June

TAS: Further restrictions eased
'Stage 3 restrictions have been brought forward to 26 June and at this time, subject to public health advice and the state of play regarding the virus in other jurisdictions, we will also confirm a date when our border restrictions will be lifted,' said Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein. Businesses must ensure that they have a COVID Safety Plan in place, addressing matters such as cleaning and personal hygiene, and managing the movement of people on the premises.
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WA: COVID-19 update
The WA Department of Health is reporting no new cases of COVID-19 with the State's total standing at 602. 926 people presented to COVID-19 clinics - 882 were assessed and 876 were swabbed. There has been one recovery so Western Australia now has just one active COVID-19 case. To date, 592 people have recovered from COVID-19 in WA.
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16 June

QLD: Community pharmacies stand ready to vaccinate Queenslanders against COVID-19
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland, announced that community pharmacists stand ready to support the Queensland Government to rapidly deploy a COVID-19 vaccine once available. Community pharmacists are already fully trained and well-rehearsed in providing vaccinations to their local communities, with 2020 proving to be the largest influenza vaccine season to date. In recent months many Queensland community pharmacies reported administering more flu vaccinations over a few weeks than they did in the entire 2019 season.
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SA: COVID-19 update
There have been no new cases of COVID-19, said the SA Department of Health. There have been a total of 440 cases reported in SA. There are no active cases of COVID-19 in South Australia and 436 people have been cleared of COVID-19. There have been four reported deaths in SA from COVID-19. There have been more than 127,000 tests undertaken in SA. From midnight 16 June 2020, travellers entering directly from Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory will no longer be required to quarantine for 14 days.
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TAS: Mobile COVID testing clinic to move out of Elphin Sports Centre
As community sport begins to return over the coming weeks, the Elphin Sports Centre will need to be returned for community sport and recreation use, said Tasmanian Minister for Health Sarah Courtney. The Government has been investigating alternative options for the Launceston COVID-19 testing clinic, and has identified the northern corner of the Inveresk Precinct.
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WA: COVID-19 update
The WA Department of Health is reporting no new cases of COVID-19 with the State's total standing at 602. WA has just two active COVID-19 cases. To date, 591 people have recovered from COVID-19 in WA. To date there have been 143,418 COVID-19 tests performed in WA - 25,300 from regional WA.
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15 June

Growing Australia's PPE capability
The Government is strengthening Australia's sovereign capability to produce essential medical supplies, with support for innovative companies to manufacture the materials needed to make Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Kestrel Manufacturing are receiving $495,000 to assist in its production of filter materials used in both surgical and P2 masks. Clets Linen are receiving $213,000 to increase its capacity to fulfil ongoing orders for disposable isolation gowns for both Australia and abroad. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said this support will help Australia be more self-sufficient in a crisis - as well as create new export opportunities.
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Pandemic offers guide to future continuity of care
The Continuity of Care Collaboration survey has shown the range of influences affecting patient access to health care during the pandemic that should guide future improvements to health services, the Consumers Health Forum (CHF) said. 'The impact of COVID-19 revealed not only just how much patient anxiety about safety of medical services discouraged people from seeing their doctor,' the CEO of the Consumers Health Forum, Leanne Wells, said. 'It also revealed other barriers to seeing the doctor or other health providers including worries about public transport, closed health services, technological difficulties using telehealth and concerns about breaking lockdown rules.'
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Our GPs could have been better supported, RACGP says
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), as part of its submission to the Senate Select Committee on Coronavirus (COVID-19) - set up to inquire into the Government's response to the pandemic - has said that the government's response has yielded some positive results, yet that more could have been done to support those general practitioners (GPs) helping to combat COVID-19. The government's shortcomings, according to RACGP, included: not embedding GPs into the processes of response, clarity and consistency of messaging, and provision of personal protective equipment (PPE).
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
Three new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed between 8pm on 13 June and 8pm on 14 June. This brings the total number of cases in NSW to 3,131. There were 7,201 tests carried out in the reporting period, compared with 13,591 in the previous 24 hours. More than 641,000 COVID-19 tests have now been carried out in NSW. There are currently 42 COVID-19 cases being treated by NSW Health, and none are in intensive care. In NSW, 2,766 people have recovered from COVID-19. Of the three new cases, two are returned travellers in hotel quarantine. The third case is a man in his early 20s from Illawarra. The source of his infection is being investigated.
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QLD: COVID-19 - Funeral restrictions eased / no new cases
15 JUN: Funerals may be attended by up to 100 people, as Queensland records another day of no new cases. There are five active cases, 1051 recovered and a total of 1065. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said many people had been raising the issue of funeral attendance numbers. 'From tomorrow, 100 people will be allowed to attend a loved one's funeral, with a list of the names that attend,' Premier Palaszczuk said. 'I really want to thank the community for raising this issue. I know it's been very, very tough over the past few months.'
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WA: COVID-19 update
The WA Department of Health is reporting no new cases of COVID-19 with the State's total standing at 602. WA has just two active COVID-19 cases, with nine people cleared of the virus - including the remaining six crew from the Al Kuwait livestock carrier. To date, 591 people have recovered from COVID-19 in WA. 508 people presented to COVID-19 clinics - 490 were assessed and 484 were swabbed. To date there have been 143,418 COVID-19 tests performed in WA. Of those tested, 25,300 were from regional WA.
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14 June

National Blood Donor Week: 14-20 June 2020
The Government is using National Blood Donor Week to call on people who have recovered from COVID-19 to help in the search for treatments for the virus, said Minister for Health Greg Hunt. The Government encourages people who have recovered from a confirmed case of COVID-19 to consider donating plasma to assist with the search for suitable treatment options. People who are healthy and well, meet existing donation criteria, and are at least 28 days past symptoms are encouraged to call to make a time to donate.
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VIC: Stepping up targeted testing to track coronavirus
Victoria will step-up its targeted coronavirus testing, zeroing in on communities where cases may be more likely or where testing numbers are relatively low - ensuring they have a full picture when it comes to tracking the virus. Victorian Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos said targeted testing - in addition to ongoing testing - would help provide vital intelligence and inform the further easing of restrictions. The targeted testing program will run until the end of August and focus on Local Government Areas (LGAs) with low testing rates, communities with high case numbers, high-risk workforces and vulnerable groups.
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13 June

NSW: Laguna Street Public School confirmed case of COVID-19
'We wish to advise that a staff member at Laguna Street Public School has tested positive to COVID-19,' said the NSW Department of Education. 'The school has commenced contact tracing and upon advice from NSW Health all students at the school have been deemed as a close contact and should commence self-isolating. The staff member has had contact with most students at the school during the period they may have been infectious and the decision was made in consultation with NSW Health to cease onsite learning at the school until 24 June 2020. The school will resume onsite learning on Thursday 25 June 2020.'
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QLD: Queensland novel coronavirus (COVID-19) update
Queensland has one new case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to report. A 30-year-old man from the Sunshine Coast tested positive after recently returning from overseas. Investigations and contact tracing are underway. At this time, it is not considered that the community have been exposed however Queensland Health will notify the community if any public health alerts are required. Total case numbers for Queensland include both confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases as per the national case definition. On 1 June, 2020, stage 2 of Queensland's Roadmap to Easing Restrictions came into effect. Changes include:
- Queenslanders can travel within Queensland, with no limit on distance except for discrete First nations communities restricted under the Restricted Access to Remote Communities Direction.
Download

12 June

Update on NDIS coronavirus response
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Stuart Robert announced the first stages of a post-coronavirus NDIS, following a review of temporary measures to support participants and disability providers during the pandemic. As community restrictions have eased and Australia moves to a COVIDSafe environment, the NDIS will move to a post-pandemic phase from 1 July that includes the conclusion of some of the temporary measures. On recommendation from the review, the following will apply from 1 July 2020:
- removal of temporary 10 per cent price loading on certain core and capacity building supports;
- definition of cancellation period is reduced from 10 days to levels under the previous policy.
Download

PFAS study delayed by COVID-19
The results of an epidemiological study into the potential health effects of exposure to PFAS, -per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances- funded by the Government, will be delayed until mid-next year, said the Deputy Chief Medical Officer. Researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) were due to provide a final report on their studies at the end of 2020. Due to disruptions caused by COVID-19, they now expect all elements of the study to be completed by mid-next year. The study has been affected by travel restrictions, demand on general practitioners and pathology services, restrictions on non-essential activities and re-assignment of the researchers to urgent work associated with the pandemic.
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ACT: Statement from ACT Chief Health Officer on Stage 2.2 easing of restrictions
'Next Friday I intend to sign new Public Health Directions that will enact our move to Step 2.2 of our plan, which we have modified to ease restrictions further from 12 noon on Friday 19 June 2020,' said the ACT Chief Health Officer. 'This will be subject to a final assessment of the ACT situation (our checkpoint), from a public health perspective. The biggest change to Stage 2.2 will see the current limit of 20 people for gatherings increase to 100 people across all areas, within one person per 4 square metres.'
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Aged Care

17 June

National sign language interpreting service for aged care
A free sign language interpreting service will soon be available for senior Australians who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing. The service will provide appropriate sign language assistance to people who are receiving or want to access aged care services. Starting this month, it will be available to improve interactions with My Aged Care, aged care assessors, service providers and related organisations. Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Richard Colbeck, said Auslan Connections would deliver the service ensuring those in need would receive much-needed support.
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Aged care at risk: New report highlights worsening financial distress before impact of COVID-19
A new report highlights the increasing pressures on delivering quality residential aged care, with funding woes worsening well before the full financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The independent Stewart Brown study shows 60 per cent of surveyed residential facilities recorded an operating loss during the first nine months of this financial year. This rate has risen by one quarter over the past 12 months. 'These alarming figures reveal the pressure on delivering quality care to thousands of older Australians, even before the full impact of the pandemic hit,' said Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) CEO Sean Rooney.
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15 June

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2020
The Government is committed to ending the abuse of Australia's seniors in all its forms. Coinciding with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a new awareness campaign has been launched to highlight the issue and assist those experiencing physical, emotional and financial abuse to get help. 'Elder abuse is everyone's business and its incumbent on all of us to speak up if we witness or suspect it is occurring to someone we know or love,' Attorney-General Christian Porter said. Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck said there had never been a more important time to raise awareness about this important issue.
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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2020
Monday 15 June is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, providing an opportunity for communities globally to advocate for those affected by abuse of older people, raise awareness of the signs that someone is suffering from an abusive relationship and promote avenues for securing help. 'World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is a reminder for all of us to check in with our vulnerable family members, friends or neighbours, to ensure their care adequately addresses their unique situation and needs, in a manner that enhances their quality of life', said Nick Tebbey, National Executive Officer, Relationships Australia.
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125,000 aged care workers to miss out on government bonus
New figures have revealed more than 125,000 aged care workers, including cleaners, laundry and catering staff, will miss out on the Government's aged care retention bonus to be paid in July, said Shadow Minister for Ageing and Seniors Julie Collins. On International Cleaners Day, Labor is calling on the Government to extend the payment to these workers who should be recognised for their efforts on the frontline of Australia's fight against COVID-19, said Shadow Minister for Aged Care Ged Kearney. Answers to questions Labor lodged in the Senate reveal more than 81,000 workers in residential aged care will be locked out of the retention bonus payment.
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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2020
'On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) Labor reaffirms our commitment to the rights of older people to live with dignity, free from all forms of abuse,' said Shadow Minister Collins. 'Sadly, we continue to see reports that the COVID-19 crisis has only increased incidences of elder abuse. Devastatingly, elder abuse appears to continue to be primarily perpetrated by family members. As a society we must do everything we can to protect older Australians. It is clear the Morrison Government has not done enough. Yesterday's rushed announcement to give 'initial' funding to a serious incident response scheme from July next year is just the latest example.'
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14 June

Serious Incident Response Scheme
A Serious Incident Response Scheme will be introduced by the Government to protect vulnerable and senior Australians from abuse and neglect. The initial $23 million investment will be rolled out from July 1, 2021. The announcement coincides with World Elder Abuse Awareness day on Monday. Minister Colbeck said the scheme will be an important measure to guarantee transparency and keep loved ones safe. It follows the release of findings of a prevalence study which provides a framework for the appropriate implementation of the scheme.
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12 June

VIC: Respecting and protecting older Victorians
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to disproportionately affect more vulnerable demographics, the Government is calling on Victorians to play their part in preventing elder abuse. Victorian Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams and Victorian Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Luke Donnellan relaunched the successful Respect Older People. Call It Out campaign. In 2019, the campaign was seen by one-in-six Victorians - with two-thirds of those who saw the campaign taking action as a result. The pandemic has led to an increase in physical and social isolation for many older Victorians. Others have had to move back in with family members, or had to support adult children financially or emotionally.
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Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

None this edition.

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Allied Health

18 June

Time for community allied health services to be counted
'It's time that an effective data collection and reporting system was established in Australia for community allied healthcare services' says Alison Verhoeven, Chief Executive of the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association. 'And by this I don't mean 'supply side' administrative data on how many people are providing what service. We need data to support the integration of allied health with other health services to achieve high value outcomes for people with chronic diseases.'
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Children's Health

None this edition.

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Clinical Governance

None this edition.

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Construction and Health Infrastructure

14 June

SA: Building a better, safer health system
The new $7 million multi-deck car park extension at the Lyell McEwin Hospital will open on the 15th of June, providing safe and secure parking for staff, patients and visitors. SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the works were part of a billion-dollar health infrastructure spend which is easing pressure on the state's Emergency Departments and boosting patient services closer to home. 'The new car park expansion will support the increase in future services as construction begins on Lyell McEwin Hospital's new Emergency Department (ED) and new Short Stay Mental Health Unit (SSMHU),' Minister Wade said.
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Dental

None this edition.

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Disabilities

12 June

Update on NDIS coronavirus response
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Stuart Robert announced the first stages of a post-coronavirus NDIS, following a review of temporary measures to support participants and disability providers during the pandemic. As community restrictions have eased and Australia moves to a COVIDSafe environment, the NDIS will move to a post-pandemic phase from 1 July that includes the conclusion of some of the temporary measures. On recommendation from the review, the following will apply from 1 July 2020:
- removal of temporary 10 per cent price loading on certain core and capacity building supports;
- definition of cancellation period is reduced from 10 days to levels under the previous policy.
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Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

16 June

Confidentiality legislation for Disability Royal Commission urgently needed
The Senate has supported a Greens motion calling on the Government to urgently legislate protections for witnesses seeking to make a submission to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Exploitation and Neglect of People with Disability in confidence. Australian Greens Disability Rights spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John said confidentiality protections were not only essential, but time-sensitive to ensure that the Royal Commission could do its job properly.
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E-Health

17 June

RACGP supporting culturally and linguistically diverse patients during COVID-19
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is providing extra support for culturally and linguistically (CALD) diverse Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic. A new resource has been launched to support patients who need an interpreter during telehealth and telephone appointments. RACGP spokesperson and Medical Director of the Cabrini Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health Hub Dr Gillian Singleton said that the RACGP was doing all it could to help people from linguistically diverse backgrounds get the care and support they need.
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15 June

Immunisation status among the top 5 healthcare documents Australians want access to
Ten million Australians now have their immunisations in their My Health Record and people can't get enough of them. Research undertaken by the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) earlier this year showed that the top 5 things people want to access are their test scans and results, notes from their GP, information on medicines they have been prescribed, Medicare information and their immunisation status. To respond to this demand, the Agency fast tracked information from the Australian Immunisation Register to go into the My Health Record in April for those records which had not been updated.
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Education and Training

None this edition.

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Funding

18 June

$12 million for research to improve treatment of cardiovascular disease and stroke patients
Minister for Health Greg Hunt said that the Government, together with the National Heart Foundation, is announcing a further $12 million for research to improve treatment of people, including children, suffering cardiovascular disease and stroke. This funding will be provided over four years, from the Medical Research Future Fund's Cardiovascular Health Mission, to advance ground-breaking work on heart disease and stroke:
- The National Stroke Foundation will receive $4 million for research into better diagnosis and treatment of children who suffer stroke, and
- The National Heart Foundation will receive $4 million from the Government, matched by $4 million from the Foundation itself, for research into four areas of clinical practice to improve identification and management of cardiovascular disease.
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United Kingdom FTA will help attract R&D investment into Australia
Medicines Australia welcomes Minister for Trade Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham's announcement that free trade agreement negotiations with the United Kingdom are to commence from 29 June. Medicines Australia CEO Elizabeth de Somer said a trade agreement with the United Kingdom is a prime opportunity to attract investment into Australia's research and development sector, particularly for clinical trials.
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15 June

$23 million investment for prostate cancer nurse program
Thousands of Australian men with prostate cancer and their families will benefit from an expansion of the Government's Prostate Cancer Nurses Program, said Minister for Health Greg Hunt. The Government is investing $23 million in the program through the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia over the next three years to support existing prostate cancer nurses and place specialist nurses. Prostate cancer is estimated to be the second most common cause of cancer death in Australian men in 2020, with an estimated 3,152 deaths. Sadly, more than 16,700 Australian men are expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. Since 2013, this program has funded the recruitment, training and placement of prostate cancer nurses in 29 locations across the country.
Download

14 June

Government to invest almost $35 million in Indigenous health projects including Indigenous blindness, deafness and chronic kidney disease
The Government will invest almost $35 million in 42 key research projects in areas such as ending avoidable indigenous deafness, ending avoidable indigenous blindness, and helping to eradicate chronic kidney disease, said Minister Hunt. As part of this funding, the Government is investing $14.44 million from the first grant round of the Indigenous Health Research Fund (the Fund), said Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt. This funding supports research into several key Indigenous health issues including improving adolescent mental health, ending avoidable deafness and blindness, and improving outcomes for those living with chronic kidney disease.
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Health Professionals

17 June

Why are lung cancer patients being treated differently? Petition calls for specialist nurses for biggest cancer killer
A petition tabled in Parliament on - the largest community health petition presented this year - urgently calls for the government to fund specialist lung cancer nurses in this year's Federal Budget to provide critical support to the 12,700 Australians diagnosed with lung cancer each year. Lung Foundation Australia Chair and leading respiratory physician Professor Christine Jenkins AM says the organisation and the lung cancer community have been fighting for a fair go for too long.
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15 June

Our GPs could have been better supported, RACGP says
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), as part of its submission to the Senate Select Committee on Coronavirus (COVID-19) - set up to inquire into the Government's response to the pandemic - has said that the government's response has yielded some positive results, yet that more could have been done to support those general practitioners (GPs) helping to combat COVID-19. The government's shortcomings, according to RACGP, included: not embedding GPs into the processes of response, clarity and consistency of messaging, and provision of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Download

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Hospitals

18 June

TAS: Comprehensive plan needed on surgery backlog
The first surgery in the Royal Hobart Hospital's newly opened K Block is welcome but much more is needed to catch up on the state's backlog of surgeries and fix the health system. 'Before COVID-19 hit, Tasmania's elective surgery waiting lists were already at record high numbers, with more than 11,100 people waiting for surgery,' said Tasmanian Shadow Minister for Health Sarah Lovell. Ms Lovell said what is really needed is a workforce plan, more short-term funding and a long-term plan to look after Tasmanians' health and reduce demand for surgery.
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17 June

TAS: Royal robot first in the country
Staff working in the Royal Hobart Hospital's Central Sterilising Department (CSD) will have a safer, healthier workplace with an ergonomically designed new unit and Australia's first CSD robot, said Tasmanian Minister for Health Sarah Courtney. K-Block's new CSD will begin cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising reusable medical instruments and equipment. Automated vehicles will support staff by delivering around 100,000 packed hospital instrument trays to the new sterilisers. This will help to reduce staff injury by removing the need for repetitious lifting.
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16 June

NSW: $388 million to fast-track elective surgeries
The NSW State Government will spend up to an extra $388 million to ramp up elective surgeries, focusing on patients whose surgery has been delayed by COVID-19 to ensure they are booked in as soon as possible. NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the Government funding would allow public patients to be treated in private hospitals. Public hospitals are also increasing surgery capacity. NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the health needs of the state had been front and centre of the NSW State Government's pandemic response. 'Our fast response to COVID-19 has helped protect people across NSW, and now we are boosting health funding,' said Treasurer Perrottet.
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15 June

Follow-up of Indigenous ICU patients after discharge vital
Rigorous follow-up of Indigenous patients recovering from critical illness, particularly those who have discharged themselves from hospital, is essential, according to the authors of research published online by the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA). Researchers from Melbourne, Adelaide and Boston in the US, analysed of intensive care unit (ICU) patient data (Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Adult Patient Database), prospectively collected during 2007-2016, measuring mortality (in-hospital, and 12 months and 8 years after admission to ICU), by Indigenous status. The median age of Indigenous patients (45 years) was lower than for non-Indigenous ICU patients (64 years).
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14 June

QLD: Quarter of a billion dollar elective surgery blitz
The Queensland State Government has announced a quarter of a billion dollars in extra elective surgery after non-urgent surgeries were halted in March. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queensland Health suspended non-urgent elective surgery following Prime Minister Scott Morrison's announcement in March that all states and territories would stop non-urgent procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Steven Miles said Category Two and Three procedures are less urgent elective surgery and it is clinically recommended that Category two procedures occur within 90 days and category three within 365.
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SA: Building a better, safer health system
The new $7 million multi-deck car park extension at the Lyell McEwin Hospital will open on the 15th of June, providing safe and secure parking for staff, patients and visitors. SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the works were part of a billion-dollar health infrastructure spend which is easing pressure on the state's Emergency Departments and boosting patient services closer to home. 'The new car park expansion will support the increase in future services as construction begins on Lyell McEwin Hospital's new Emergency Department (ED) and new Short Stay Mental Health Unit (SSMHU),' Minister Wade said.
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Insurance

None this edition.

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Medicare

None this edition.

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Men's Health

15 June

$23 million investment for prostate cancer nurse program
Thousands of Australian men with prostate cancer and their families will benefit from an expansion of the Government's Prostate Cancer Nurses Program, said Minister for Health Greg Hunt. The Government is investing $23 million in the program through the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia over the next three years to support existing prostate cancer nurses and place specialist nurses. Prostate cancer is estimated to be the second most common cause of cancer death in Australian men in 2020, with an estimated 3,152 deaths. Sadly, more than 16,700 Australian men are expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. Since 2013, this program has funded the recruitment, training and placement of prostate cancer nurses in 29 locations across the country.
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Mental Health

17 June

WA: New advisory body to strengthen relationship with community services sector
The WA Government will establish a new Community Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Council to strengthen collaboration between the community services sector, government and consumers, carers and families. It will ensure lived experience is central to policy development and service delivery and will be chaired by the Mental Health Commissioner, said WA Minister for Mental Health Roger Cook. The membership will include representation from community services peak bodies, major strategic advisory groups, the WA Primary Health Alliance, as well as consumers and carers/families.
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16 June

CSIRO study reveals COVID-19's impact on weight and emotional wellbeing
A new study by Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, has found that weight and emotional wellbeing has suffered throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, with Australians also feeling concerned about how long it will take for life to return to 'normal'. The survey of nearly 4000 CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet online community members found that respondents are emerging from COVID-19 lockdown feeling their exercise (66 per cent), emotional wellbeing (41 per cent) and diet (36 per cent) had worsened to some degree, with two in five indicating they have gained weight during the outbreak.
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System

None this edition.

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Pharmaceuticals

18 June

Australian Public Assessment Report for Atezolizumab
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
said that this AusPAR describes the application by Roche Products Pty Ltd (the sponsor) to extend the indications for Tecentriq (atezolizumab) to include the following: Tecentriq, in combination with nab-paclitaxel and carboplatin is indicated for the first line treatment of patients with metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who do not have tumour EGFR or ALK genomic aberrations.
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17 June

Counterfeit Cialis 20mg tablets
The TGA has tested a product labelled Cialis 20mg tablets and found that:
- The product is an attempted counterfeit of a genuine product in the marketplace;
- The Cialis 20mg tablets contain the undeclared substance sildenafil consumers and medical professionals should be particular aware of this as genuine products contain the substance tadalafil; and
- Consumers are advised that sildenafil is a prescription-only (S4) medicine in Australia The supply of Cialis 20mg tablets containing undisclosed sildenafil is illegal.
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Pharmacist fined $30,240 for alleged unlawful advertising
The TGA has issued twelve infringement notices totalling $30,240 to a Victorian-based pharmacist from Armadale for alleged unlawful advertising of therapeutic goods. The advertisements, which appeared on the pharmacist's website, were for prescription only therapeutic goods such as peptides and hormones. The Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act) prohibits advertising to the general public for a substance, or a therapeutic good containing a substance, included in Schedule 4 (prescription only medicine) of the current Poisons Standard.
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Inskin Cosmedics Group fined $25,200 for alleged unlawful importation of cosmetic medical devices
The TGA has issued two infringement notices totalling $25,200 to Sydney-based company Inskin Cosmedics Group Pty Ltd for alleged breaches of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act). It is alleged the company imported Dermapen unbranded micro-needle cartridges that were not, at the time of the relevant importation, included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Unless a specific exemption, approval or authority applies, therapeutic goods must be entered in the ARTG before they can be lawfully imported into Australia.
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Net Pharmacy fined $214,200 for alleged unlawful advertising
The TGA has issued seventeen infringement notices totalling $214,200 to Net Pharmacy Pty Ltd, a company based in Victoria, for alleged unlawful advertising of therapeutic goods. The advertisements, published on two websites, were for prescription only therapeutic goods that included peptides, Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) and hormones. Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act) prohibits advertising to the general public of a substance, or a good containing a substance, included in Schedule 4 (prescription only medicine) of the current Poisons Standard.
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Chemforce fined $63,000 for alleged unlawful advertising in relation to COVID- 19
The TGA has issued five infringement notices totalling $63,000 to Sydney-based company Chemforce Pty Ltd for alleged unlawful advertising in relation to COVID-19. Chemforce allegedly advertised on its website a medicine known as RibaMin that is not included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Unless a specific exemption, approval or authority applies, therapeutic goods must be entered in the ARTG before they can be lawfully advertised to the general public in Australia.
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16 June

Proposed delayed commencement of certain medical device regulatory changes
Reflecting the challenges identified by the medical devices industry and healthcare professionals as they have focussed on the COVID-19 crisis, the Australian Government intends asking the Governor General in Council to agree to the proposed delay of the commencement of a number of medical device reforms. The delay would also support additional time for the TGA to consult with the medical device industry and health care professionals on guidance material relating to the reforms.
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15 June

Hydrogen Technologies fined $50,400 for alleged advertising breaches including reference to COVID-19
The TGA has issued four infringement notices totalling $50,400 to Cairns based company Hydrogen Technologies Pty Ltd. In April 2020, the company allegedly advertised on its website and social media page therapeutic goods, being hydrogen/oxygen generators and nanobubble infusion pumps, that are not entered in the Australia Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Unless a specific exemption, approval or authority applies, therapeutic goods must be entered in the ARTG before they can be lawfully supplied or advertised in Australia. It is also alleged that the company's website made unlawful representations regarding the goods.
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Herbal Blue capsules
Herbal Blue capsules pose a serious risk to your health and should not be taken. The TGA has tested a product labelled Herbal Blue capsules and found that:
- the capsules contain the undeclared substance sildenafil and tadalafil.
Consumers are advised that sildenafil and tadalafil are prescription-only (S4) medicines in Australia. The supply of Herbal Blue capsules containing undisclosed sildenafil and tadalafil is illegal. Herbal Blue capsules have not been assessed by the TGA for quality, safety or efficacy as required under Australian legislation, and the place of manufacture is not approved by the TGA.
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Measles, the 'ultimate opportunist', needs constant vigilance
Combatting the resurgence of measles requires vigilant clinicians and sustained, high level vaccination coverage, because Australia is 'an island in a sea of measles', according to the authors of Perspective published online by the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA). Measles is the most highly communicable human virus known. Compared with COVID-19, which has an R0 (the average number of secondary cases generated from a single case in a fully susceptible, freely mixing population) of between 2 and 3, measles has an R0 of between 9 and 18 - double that of smallpox and four times that of Ebola.
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12 June

More essential support for Australian patients through community pharmacy
Australians will have better access to subsidised medicines and medication management services through community pharmacy with the Government finalising a Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA), said Minister for Health Greg Hunt. Under this landmark agreement, the Government will continue to partner with community pharmacy to ensure Australians have access to more than 200 million subsidised Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescriptions each year through their community pharmacy of choice. Medicine safety will be a key focus of the 7CPA with the Government increasing its investment in medication management services and programs to $1.2 billion over five years.
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The Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement
The Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement provides certainty and stability for Australia's 5,800 community pharmacies, and ensures the delivery of world class pharmacy services to Australian patients. The National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, George Tambassis, said: 'This is an Agreement for the times - negotiated over 12 months between the Commonwealth and the Pharmacy Guild, with the backdrop in 2020 of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pharmacy Guild thanks the Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, and the Department of Health for reaching this Agreement in the interests of all Australian patients who rely on their local pharmacy for medicines, advice and professional pharmacy services.'
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Research

18 June

United Kingdom FTA will help attract R&D investment into Australia
Medicines Australia welcomed Minister for Trade Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham's announcement that free trade agreement negotiations with the United Kingdom are to commence from 29 June. Medicines Australia CEO Elizabeth de Somer said a trade agreement with the United Kingdom is a prime opportunity to attract investment into Australia's research and development sector, particularly for clinical trials. 'Strengthening the ecosystem of research and development partnerships domestically and between Australia and the United Kingdom will bring new treatments to Australians and open up opportunities for the expansion of our advanced manufacturing base,' she said.
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16 June

$9.9 million for research to improve life for brain cancer survivors
The medical, functional and psychosocial needs of people who have survived brain cancer will be studied in a major three-year research project funded by the Government. Almost 2,000 Australians a year are now diagnosed with brain cancer, and while brain cancer accounts for just 1.4 per cent of all cancers in Australia, it has high rates of morbidity and mortality, said Minister for Health Greg Hunt. A research team at the University of Sydney will receive $4.97 million to undertake a comprehensive research program across rehabilitation, assessment, and intervention, which reflects the enormous range of impacts that brain cancer has on patients, and their families and carers.
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15 June

Submissions received: Scope of regulated software based medical devices
The TGA thanks respondents who provided a submission in response to the public consultation paper, Scope of Regulated Software based products, which closed on 13 May 2020. This consultation occurred following feedback received from public and targeted consultation undertaken in during 2019 and early 2020, specifically on clarifying the boundary for software based medical devices that are, in law, regulated under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, but could potentially be exempt or excluded (ie: 'carved-out') to ensure that industry sponsors and manufacturers are not subject to unnecessary regulatory burden.
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14 June

Government to invest almost $35 million in Indigenous health projects including Indigenous blindness, deafness and chronic kidney disease
The Government will invest almost $35 million in 42 key research projects in areas such as ending avoidable indigenous deafness, ending avoidable indigenous blindness, and helping to eradicate chronic kidney disease, said Minister Hunt. As part of this funding, the Government is investing $14.44 million from the first grant round of the Indigenous Health Research Fund (the Fund), said Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt. This funding supports research into several key Indigenous health issues including improving adolescent mental health, ending avoidable deafness and blindness, and improving outcomes for those living with chronic kidney disease.
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12 June

Research into health system preparedness for cancer and paediatric healthcare
Australia is at the global forefront of cancer research and the Government is committed to consolidating that position, with the Cancer Council NSW to receive funding of more than $3.5 million to research what demand for cancer treatment will look like over the next five years, said Minister Hunt. The research into five-year patterns in cancer incidence is one of six projects that will share in more than $12 million through the Government's Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). Health system costs for cancer are escalating as the population ages and new high-cost technologies are developed.
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PFAS study delayed by COVID-19
The results of an epidemiological study into the potential health effects of exposure to PFAS, -per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances- funded by the Government, will be delayed until mid-next year, said the Deputy Chief Medical Officer. Researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) were due to provide a final report on their studies at the end of 2020. Due to disruptions caused by COVID-19, they now expect all elements of the study to be completed by mid-next year. The study has been affected by travel restrictions, demand on general practitioners and pathology services, restrictions on non-essential activities and re-assignment of the researchers to urgent work associated with the pandemic.
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Rural, Regional and Remote Health

18 June

WA: Healthway partnership to support healthy active communities in the Kimberley
The WA Government, through Healthway, is providing $400,000 to the Garnduwa Amboorny Wirnan Aboriginal Corporation to deliver health-focused programs and activities across remote communities in the Kimberley region. The Smarter than Smoking Active Communities Project will be available to approximately 15,000 children and young people from 37 Kimberley communities, said WA Deputy Premier Roger Cook and WA Minister for Seniors and Ageing Mick Murray. The grant will fund a range of activities, including sports carnivals, leadership camps and workshops promoting and building skills to support smoke-free and healthy lifestyles.
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12 June

Rural Health Commissioner Office extended to improve rural healthcare
Rural communities and the rural health workforce will continue to have an independent advocate following the Government's announcement to continue and extend the Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner. The Office will take a broader approach to rural health, and will help deliver the Government's key reforms and targeted rural health priorities to support practical change for communities. Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton said it was vital the Office, established in 2017, continued as an ongoing feature of the Government's commitment to improving health outcomes for rural Australians.
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Peak body welcomes Rural Health Commissioner extension
The National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA) welcomed the Government's announcement that they will extend the office of the National Rural Health Commissioner past its current expiry of 30 June 2020. 'This is a good move from the Australian Government because the work of the National Rural Health Commissioner clearly isn't over yet,' said CEO Dr Gabrielle O'Kane. 'There is still a great need to improve access and quality of services in rural, regional and remote Australia and to improve issues around the rural health workforce and education pathways. The office of the National Rural Health Commissioner has been doing important work since its establishment in 2017.'
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RACGP welcomes new commitment to rural health
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is welcoming the announcement that the role of the National Rural Health Commissioner will be extended. The Government has announced that legislation will be introduced to continue the Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner, including the addition of Deputy Commissioners to enhance the scope of the Office. A new Commissioner will replace the inaugural Commissioner Professor Paul Worley from July 1st this year. RACGP Vice President and Chair of RACGP Rural A/Professor Ayman Shenouda said that it was an important step forward for healthcare in rural and remote communities.
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A promising commitment to rural health
Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH) applauds the announcement by Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton that the Office of the Rural Health Commissioner is to be extended and the Commissioner will be supported by Deputy Commissioners with expertise in Indigenous health, nursing and allied health. These are crucial appointments, needed to drive action across the full range of health care needed in rural and remote Australia. Continuing the Office, building on Professor Worley's work and expanding its capacity are enormously important and welcome.
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Women's Health

18 July

TAS: Health and Wellbeing for Women Action Plan 2020-23
Tasmanian Minister for Women for Sarah Courtney
said that the Tasmanian Government is committed to addressing gender inequality and improving the overall health and wellbeing of Tasmanian women as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The Action Plan was developed prior to COVDID-19, and aims to improve the overall health and wellbeing of all women and girls in Tasmania through its focus on five strategic priorities:
- Improving women's maternal, sexual and reproductive health.
- Improving health literacy and targeting preventive health services to address women's health needs.
- Enhancing women's mental health through prevention, early intervention and responsive service delivery.
- Addressing impacts on women's health, such as violence against women and girls, homelessness and other related factors.
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Transcripts

Minister for Health Greg Hunt
18 JUN: Transcript of Interview with Allison Langdon and Karl Stefanovic, Today Show
Subjects: COVID-19 update, Black Lives Matter protest, COVID-19 vaccines, Cardiovascular disease & stroke treatment funding

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd
18 JUN: Transcript of interview with Fran Kelly, ABC Radio National Breakfast
Subjects: Victoria's lockdown, Spike in cases in Vic, Sources of infection, Easing of restrictions, Dexamethasone

Shadow Minister for Health Chris Bowen and Labor Member for Canberra Alicia Payne
17 JUN: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Canberra
Subjects: Yass maternity ward, Eden-Monaro health plan, Off-label prescribing, PBS & Emgality migraine drug, Infrastructure, Branch stacking, Antidepressants

Prime Minister Scott Morrison
15 JUN: Transcript of Address to CEDA'S State of The Nation Conference, Barton
Subjects: Australian economy, JobMaker plan, COVID-19 infections, Health system capacity, National Accounts, JobSeeker, ABS May survey of businesses

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack
15 JUN: Transcript of Interview with Lisa Millar & Michael Rowland, ABC News Breakfast
Subjects: COVID-19, Blueprint for economy, Road safety measures, Infrastructure projects fast-tracked

Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge
15 JUN: Transcript of Interview with David Koch, Sunrise
Subjects: COVID-19, Priority infrastructure projects, Mega projects, Jobs, Deregulation, Infrastructure investment, States

Shadow Minister for Health Chris Bowen
15 JUN: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Queanbeyan
Subjects: Kristy McBain's Health Plan for Eden-Monaro, Commitment for a Yass maternity ward, Victorian Labor, GP shortages, NSW Chief Health Officer, National Executive

Member for Perth Patrick Gorman
15 JUN: Transcript of Interview with Jane Norman, ABC News
Subjects: COVID-19, JobKeeper, National Executive, Personal politics, Victorian Labor, Coronavirus Operation Centre, Tourism bailout package

Minister for Health Greg Hunt
14 JUN: Transcript of Interview with David Speers, ABC Insiders
Subjects: Coronavirus update, BLM protests, Indigenous health research announcement, NZ approach to COVID-19, COVIDSafe app, Preparedness for second wave, COVID-19 vaccine

Shadow Minister for Health Chris Bowen
14 JUN: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Sydney
Subjects: COVID-19 restrictions easing, Fed Government's Closing the Gap on Indigenous health outcomes, China, Medical Research Future Fund, Elder abuse, Australian citizen Karm Gilespie

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Chief Medical Officer
12 JUN: Transcript of Press Conference, Parliament House, Canberra
Subjects: National Cabinet, National Federation Reform Council, Closing the Gap, Coronavirus restrictions, Health advice

Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne
12 JUN: Transcript of Interview with Sabra Lane, ABC AM
Subjects: COVID-19, Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Relationship with China, Universities, Climate, JobSeeker

Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor and Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Resources Joel Fitzgibbon
12 JUN: Transcript of Interview with Deborah Knight, 2GB Radio
Subjects: State border closures, COVID-19, Protests, Power and energy prices, Robodebt apology, Cancel culture

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Reports

COVID-19 and aged care: a quick guide
Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS), Parliamentary Library

Older Australians and aged care residents are more vulnerable to serious complications if they are infected with COVID-19. This quick guide presents statistics on COVID-19 in aged care in Australia and overseas. It outlines the responsibilities of the Australian and state and territory governments and aged care providers in responding to COVID-19. It focuses on key measures taken at a national level to support the aged care response, and avenues for scrutiny of the response.
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Choosing Wisely resource addresses patient opioid knowledge gap
Choosing Wisely Australia said that a recent scientific paper published in the ANZ Journal of Surgery found that patients are not provided with sufficient information when discharged from a hospital with opioids-but a Choosing Wisely resource for use in hospitals is helping address this patient knowledge gap. The research paper explored GPs' opinions around information provided to patients discharged with opioids from an Australian metropolitan hospital. The study found that these patients often had false expectations that they would be pain-free with opioids, they did not understand the risks around opioids, and they expected to continue to use opioids indefinitely.
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Prostheses List Private Health Insurance (Prostheses) Rules (No. 2) 2020
Department of Health
This circular provides information for stakeholders about the July 2020 Prostheses List. The delegate of the Minister for Health has made the Private Health Insurance (Prostheses) Rules (No. 2) 2020, to replace the Private Health Insurance (Prostheses) Rules (No. 1) 2020. The schedule is generally known as the July 2020 Prostheses List.
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Submission to Senate Select Committee on COVID-19 - Inquiry into the Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)

The Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic has yielded positive results. Australia has performed incredibly well in comparison to other countries around the world, managing to successfully limit the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the infection curve.1 It should be noted that, while the focus of this inquiry is on the federal government's response to the pandemic, much of the public health policy and implementation has been driven and enacted by the states and territories.
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COVID catch-up - Helping disadvantaged students close the equity gap
Grattan Institute

There is good reason to send children to school. Students tend to learn less when they are not in regular class, and new data from Australian teachers show this is likely to have been the case during the COVID-19 lockdowns. In one survey of more than 5,000 teachers in NSW, only 35 per cent were confident their students were learning well in remote learning. In disadvantaged schools, only 15 per cent of teachers felt assured of student progress. Many disadvantaged students, who were already falling behind before the crisis, will have slipped further back.
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Residential Care Survey Results Review
Leading Age Services Australia (LASA)

60% of aged care homes recorded an operating loss for the March nine months. 34% of aged care homes recorded an EBITDAR loss (cash loss) for the March nine months. Average ACFI per bed day (pbd) for Survey participants increased by $2.37 pbd to $180.75 pbd (1.33% pa). Occupancy levels for all survey participants decreased to 92.1% average occupancy (93.6% Mar-19). Total care hours per resident per day increased by 0.09 hours to 3.23 hours (Mar-19: 3.14 hours). ACFI direct care services costs increased to $155.81 pbd (year-on-year) (6.5% pa).
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Hansards

Federal

17 JUN 2020: SENATE HANSARD: Bills - Health Insurance Amendment (General Practitioners and Quality Assurance) Bill 2020 - Assent

17 JUN 2020: SENATE HANSARD: Motions - Living with Disability

17 JUN 2020: SENATE HANSARD: Adjournment - COVID-19: Aged-Care Workers

17 JUN 2020: SENATE HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Aged Care

17 JUN 2020: SENATE HANSARD: Bills - Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2020 Measures No. 1) Bill 2020 - First Reading, Second Reading, Debate Adjourned

17 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Statements by Members - Dental Health

17 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Bills - Biosecurity Amendment (Traveller Declarations and Other Measures) Bill 2020 - First Reading, Second Reading, Debate Adjourned

17 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Constituency Statements - Petition: Health Care

17 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Aged Care

17 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Rural and Regional Health Services

17 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Eden-Monaro Electorate: Health

16 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Constituency Statements - Men's Health Week

16 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Statements by Members - Aged Care

16 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Bills - Health Insurance Amendment (General Practitioners and Quality Assurance) Bill 2020 - Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Amendment (Enhancing Australia's Anti-Doping Capability) Bill 2019 - Assent

16 JUN 2020: SENATE HANSARD: Adjournment - Aged Care

16 JUN 2020: SENATE HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Aged Care

16 JUN 2020: SENATE HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID-19 - Health Care

15 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Questions without Notice - COVID-19: Health Care

15 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Constituency Statements - COVID-19: Mental Health

15 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Statements by Members - COVID-19

15 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Constituency Statements - Franklin Electorate: COVID-19

15 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Federation Chamber - Private Members' Business - Aged Care

15 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Questions without Notice - COVID-19: Aged Care

15 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - COVID-19: Health Care

15 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Medicare

15 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Responses - Aged Care

15 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - COVID-19: Biosecurity

15 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Adjournment - COVID-19

15 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Responses - Health Care

15 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - Responses - Cancer

15 JUN 2020: REPS HANSARD: Petitions - COVID-19: Hospitals

15 JUN 2020: SENATE HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID-19

15 JUN 2020: SENATE HANSARD: Motions - COVID-19: Health Care

15 JUN 2020: SENATE HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Aged Care

NSW

16 JUN 2020: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Bills - Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Bill 2020 - Second Reading Debate, Third Reading

16 JUN 2020: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Private Members' Statements - COVID-19 Pandemic

16 JUN 2020: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Ministerial Statements - New South Wales COVID-19 Response

16 JUN 2020: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID-19 and Mental Health

16 JUN 2020: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - COVID-19 Restrictions

16 JUN 2020: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Adjournment Debate - COVID-19 Pandemic

Queensland

17 JUN 2020: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Coronavirus, Health Services

17 JUN 2020: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Ministerial Statements - Coronavirus, Health Update

16 JUN 2020: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Matters of Public Interest - Coronavirus, Health Response

16 JUN 2020: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Adjournment - JobKeeper; JobSeeker

16 JUN 2020: QLD ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Ministerial Statements - Coronavirus, Health Update

South Australia

17 JUN 2020: SA, WADE: Health Care (Governance) Amendment Bill 2020

16 JUN 2020: SA COUNCIL HANSARD: Question Time - SA Pathology

Tasmania

03 JUN 2020: TAS COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions - COVID-19 - North West Regional Hospital Outbreak - Inquiry Report

03 JUN 2020: TAS COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions - COVID-19 Outbreak - North West Regional Hospital - Inquiry

03 JUN 2020: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions - COVID-19 - Roadmap to Recovery

03 JUN 2020: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Matter of Public Importance - COVID-19 Emergency

Victoria

17 JUN 2020: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice and Ministers Statements - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

17 JUN 2020: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Members Statements - COVID-19

17 JUN 2020: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Bills - Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Amendment Bill 2020 - Debate Resumed, Second Reading, Debate Adjourned

17 JUN 2020: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Matters of Public Importance - COVID-19

17 JUN 2020: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Statements on Reports, Papers and Petitions - Medically Supervised Injecting Room Review Panel - Review of the Medically Supervised Injecting Room

17 JUN 2020: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Members Statements - Men's Health Week

17 JUN 2020: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Members Statements - Elder Abuse

17 JUN 2020: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Members Statements - COVID-19

17 JUN 2020: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Adjournment - Goulburn Valley Health

17 JUN 2020: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice and Ministers Statements - COVID-19

17 JUN 2020: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Adjournment - COVID-19

16 JUN 2020: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Adjournment - Deaths in Custody

Western Australia

17 JUN 2020: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Statement by Minister for Mental Health - Community Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Council

17 JUN 2020: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Abortion - Live Births

16 JUN 2020: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Mental Health - Fly In, Fly Out Code

16 JUN 2020: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Coronavirus - Elective Surgery - Reinstatement

16 JUN 2020: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Statement by Minister for Health - Coronavirus - Data Update

16 JUN 2020: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Statement by Minister for Seniors and Ageing - World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

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Court Cases

None this edition.

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New Regulations

Federal

Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Section 3C General Medical and Diagnostic Imaging Services - Medicare Indexation) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00748
The purpose of the Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Section 3C General Medical and Diagnostic Imaging Services - Medicare Indexation) Determination 2020 is to amend nine determinations made under subsection 3C(1) of the Act to increase the fees of the health services specified by 1.5 per cent. This reflects the Government's policy regarding Medicare indexation and means that patients will receive a higher Medicare benefit for these services from 1 July 2020.
Explanatory Statement

Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Indexation) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00742

The purpose of the Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Indexation) Determination 2020 (the Determination) is to amend the Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - COVID-19 Telehealth and Telephone Attendances) Determination 2020 (the COVID-19 Determination) and the Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - Additional GP Bulk-billing Incentives) Determination 2020 (the Bulk-billing Determination) to increase the schedule fee by 1.5 per cent for all of the health services specified. This reflects the Government's policy regarding Medicare indexation and means that patients will receive a higher Medicare benefit for these services from 1 July 2020.
Explanatory Statement

Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - Optometric Services) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00741

The purpose of the Determination is to repeal and remake the Health Insurance (Optometric services) Determination 2016 (the previous Determination) and prescribe a new table of optometric services from 1 July 2020. This will ensure that Medicare benefits continue to be payable for optometric services performed by optometrists. This Determination will also apply indexation for optometric services by replacing the fees in the previous Determination with fees indexed by 1.5%. This is part of the Government's policy regarding Medicare indexation and means that patients will receive a higher Medicare benefit for these services from 1 July 2020.
Explanatory Statement

Poisons Standard (No. 3) June 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00739

The Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 ('the Act') provides for the establishment and maintenance of a national system of controls for the quality, safety, efficacy and timely availability of therapeutic goods that are used in, or exported from, Australia. The Act also provides a framework for State and Territory governments to adopt a uniform approach to control the availability and accessibility, and to ensure the safe handling, of medicines and poisons in Australia. The Act is administered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration ('the TGA') within the Australian Government Department of Health.
Explanatory Statement

Health Insurance (Section 3C Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Services) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00736

The purpose of the Determination is to repeal and remake the Health Insurance (Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Services) Determination 2012 and prescribe a new table of cleft lip and cleft palate services from 1 July 2020. This will ensure that Medicare benefits continue to be payable for cleft lip and cleft palate services performed by orthodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons and dental practitioners. This Determination will also apply indexation for cleft lip and cleft palate services by replacing the fees in the previous Determination with fees indexed by 1.5 per cent. This is part of the Government's policy regarding Medicare indexation and means that patients will receive a higher Medicare benefit for these services from 1 July 2020.
Explanatory Statement

Private Health Insurance (Prostheses) Rules (No. 2) 2020
Legislative Instruments - F2020L00735
The Private Health Insurance (Prostheses) Rules (No. 2) 2020 (Prostheses Rules) are made for the purposes of section 333-20(1) of the Act. Listed prostheses and their minimum benefits are set out in the Schedule to the Prostheses Rules. The list of prostheses in the Schedule is commonly referred to as the Prostheses List. The purpose of the Prostheses Rules is to update the list of the kinds of prostheses for which a benefit must be paid where the prosthesis is provided in the conditions and circumstances specified in the Act, and set out the minimum and, where applicable, maximum benefit payable.
Explanatory Statement

Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - Other Medical Practitioner) Amendment (Medicare Indexation) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00734
The purpose of the Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - Other Medical Practitioner) Amendment (Medicare Indexation) Determination 2020 (the Determination) is to amend the Health Insurance (General Medical Services - Other Medical Practitioner) Determination 2018 to increase the schedule fee by 1.5 per cent for all of the other medical practitioner health services specified. This reflects the Government's policy regarding Medicare indexation and means that patients will receive a higher Medicare benefit for these services from 1 July 2020.
Explanatory Statement

Health Insurance (Section 3C Midwife and Nurse Practitioner Services) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00732

The purpose of the Health Insurance (Section 3C Midwife and Nurse Practitioner) Determination 2020 (the Determination) is to repeal and remake the Health Insurance (Midwife and Nurse Practitioner) Determination 2015 (the previous Determination) and prescribe a new table of midwife and nurse practitioner services from 1 July 2020. This will ensure that Medicare benefits continue to be payable for midwife and nurse practitioner services performed by those practitioners. This Determination will also apply indexation for midwife and nurse practitioner services by replacing the fees in the previous Determination with fees indexed by 1.5%.
Explanatory Statement

Health Insurance (Pathology Services Table) Amendment (Indexation) Regulations 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00728

The purpose of the Health Insurance (Pathology Services Table) Amendment (Indexation) Regulations 2020 (the Amendment Regulations) is to amend the Health Insurance (Pathology Services Table) Regulations 2020 to index the schedule fees of two items for the management of bulk-billing pathology services for patients who are either under 16 years old, or who are a Commonwealth concessional beneficiary, to implement Government policy regarding indexation from 1 July 2020. The Amendment Regulations will increase the fees of two Medicare Benefits Schedule items (74990 and 74991) by 1.5 per cent.
Explanatory Statement

Therapeutic Goods (Charges) Amendment (2020 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00727

The main purpose of the Therapeutic Goods (Charges) Amendment (2020 Measures No.1) Regulations 2020 (the Regulations) is to amend the Therapeutic Goods (Charges) Regulations 2018 (the Charges Regulations) to increase the annual charges set out in those regulations for most products by 1.95 per cent, for the financial year 2020-21. The increase applies to annual charges relating to the registration, listing or inclusion of therapeutic goods in the Register. This encompasses registered goods (including provisionally registered medicines), listed goods, biologicals and medical devices.
Explanatory Statement

Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Section 3C General Medical Services - Drought Affected Areas) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00721

The purpose of the Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Section 3C General Medical Services - Drought Affected Areas) Determination 2020 (the Determination) is to amend six items for video conference mental health services to remove the provision of the services to patients in drought affected areas in New South Wales, Queensland or Victoria. These items will no longer be provided in drought affect eligible areas from 1 July 2020, but they will continue to provide support to people who have had their mental health adversely affected by a bushfire which occurred in the 2019-20 financial year.
Explanatory Statement

Therapeutic Goods Legislation Amendment (Fees and Other Measures) Regulations 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00720

The purpose of the Therapeutic Goods Legislation Amendment (Fees and Other Measures) Regulations 2020 (the Regulations) is, principally, to amend the Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1990 (the TG Regulations) and the Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices) Regulations 2002 (the MD Regulations) to increase the fees set out in those respective regulations by 1.95 per cent, for the financial year 2020-21.
Explanatory Statement

National Health (Pharmaceuticals and Vaccines-Cost Recovery) Amendment (2020 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00714

The National Health (Pharmaceutical and Vaccines-Cost Recovery) Amendment (2020 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2020 (the Amendment Regulations) amend the National Health (Pharmaceutical and Vaccines-Cost Recovery) Regulations 2009 (the Principal Regulations) to:
- reduce fees for the provision of ATAGI services to $180,960 (the usual ATAGI fee) for a complex submission and $103,270 (partial exemption) for a simple submission.
- introduce a prior notice requirement for all committee secretariat submissions and increase the associated evaluation fee to $11,280 which includes the prior notice processing fee.
Explanatory Statement

Health Insurance (Diagnostic Imaging Services Table) Regulations (No. 2) 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00713

The purpose of the Health Insurance (Diagnostic Imaging Services Table) Regulations (No. 2) 2020 (the Regulations) is to repeal and remake the Health Insurance (Diagnostic Imaging Services Table) Regulations (No. 1) 2020 to prescribe a new table of diagnostic imaging services. The Regulations will also implement Government policy by increasing the schedule fee by 1.5 percent for some diagnostic imaging services. This means that patients will receive a higher Medicare benefit for these services from 1 July 2020.
Explanatory Statement

Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations (No. 2) 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00711

The purpose of the Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations (No. 2) 2020 (the Regulations) is to repeal and remake the Health Insurance (General Medical Services Table) Regulations (No. 1) 2020 to prescribe a new table of general medical services. The Regulations will also implement Government policy by increasing the schedule fee by 1.5 per cent for most of the general medical services. This means that patients will receive a higher Medicare benefit for these services from 1 July 2020.
Explanatory Statement

Biosecurity (First Point of Entry - Broome International Airport) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L00708

The purposes of the Biosecurity (First Point of Entry - Broome International Airport) Determination 2020 (the Determination) are to:
- determine that a specified landing place, being Broome International Airport, is a first point of entry for aircraft generally and for goods other than live horses for the purposes of section 223 of the Biosecurity Act.
Explanatory Statement

Northern Territory

17 JUN 2020: NT, FYLES: Public and Environmental Health Further Amendment Regulations 2020 - Subordinate Legislation No. 14 of 2020

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Proclamations

None this edition.

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Gazette Notices

None this edition.

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Consolidated Legislation

National Health (Continued Dispensing - Emergency Measures) Determination 2020
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2020C00493

Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Continued Dispensing - Emergency Measures) Amendment Determination 2020 (No.4).
Administered by: Health
Download

Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - Other Medical Practitioner) Determination 2018
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2020C00491

Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - GP and Allied Health COVID-19 Services) Amendment (Consequential) Determination 2020.
Administered by: Health
Download

Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services - General Practitioner Telehealth Services) Determination 2018
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2020C00487

Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Section 3C - Medical and Diagnostic Imaging Services) Determination 2020.
Administered by: Health
Download

National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme-Exempt items - Section 84AH) Determination 2017 (PB 81 of 2017)
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2020C00483

PB 81 of 2017 Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme-Exempt items - Section 84AH) Amendment Determination 2020 (No. 1) (PB 51 of 2020).
Download

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New Bills

Federal

Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Financial Transparency) Bill 2020 - Senate referred to committee 18/6
Health Insurance Amendment (Continuing the Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner) Bill 2020 - Reps 2R debate 17/6, Reps passed 17/6, Senate intro 18/6, Senate 2R debate 18/6, Senate passed 18/6, awaiting assent

New South Wales

Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Bill 2020 - LA 2R debate, passed, LC intro, 1R, 2R, passed 16/6, awaiting assent
Personal Injury Commission Bill 2020 - LA 2R debate, passed, LC intro, 1R 17/6

South Australia

Health Care (Governance) Amendment Bill 2020 - LC intro, 1R, 2R 17/6
Health Care (Safe Access) Amendment Bill 2020 - LA 2R debate 17/6
Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Bill 2020 - (LA passed) LC intro, 1R 16/6

Victoria

Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Amendment Bill 2020 - LA 2R debate 17/6, 18/6

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New Acts

An Act to amend the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Act 2006, and for related purposes.

The Act improves the ability of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) to perform its functions within an increasingly complex and sophisticated doping environment.

The Wood Review made a number of recommendations including legislative amendments, principally to the ASADA Act, to allow ASADA's existing regulatory functions to be carried out more effectively. These amendments provide for these recommendations, with the principal effects to include:

  • streamlining the administrative phase of the statutory anti-doping rule violation process;
  • extending statutory protection against civil actions to cover other persons in their exercise of Anti-Doping Rule Violation functions;
  • facilitating better information sharing between ASADA and National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) through enhancing statutory protections for information provided to an NSO by ASADA; and
  • strengthening ASADA's disclosure notice regime.

On 28 November 2019, the Senate Selection of Bills Committee referred the then-Bill to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 3 February 2020.

On 3 February 2020, the Senate granted an extension of reporting time until 24 February 2020.

Reps: Intro 17/10/19, 2R 17/10/19, 03/12/19, 04/12/19, Passed 04/12/19
Senate: Intro 05/12/19, 2R 05/12/19, 11/06/20, Passed (with 1 Opposition amendment) 11/06/20
Reps: Agreed to amendments 12/06/20

Assent 16/06/20, Act No. 51 of 2020

Commencement:

1. Sections 1 to 3 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by this table: The day this Act receives the Royal Assent.
2. Schedule 1, Parts 1 to 4: A single day to be fixed by Proclamation. However, if the provisions do not commence within the period of 6 months beginning on the day this Act receives the Royal Assent, they commence on the day after the end of that period.
3. Schedule 1, Part 5, Division 1: At the same time as the provisions covered by table item 2. However, the provisions do not commence at all if Schedule 1 to the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Amendment (Sport Integrity Australia) Act 2019 commences at or before that time.
4. Schedule 1, Part 5, Division 2: Immediately after the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 2. However, the provisions do not commence at all unless Schedule 1 to the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Amendment (Sport Integrity Australia) Act 2019 commences on or before the day on which Part 1 of Schedule 1 to this Act commences.

 

An Act to amend the Health Insurance Act 1973, and for other purposes.

The Act simplifies Medicare administrative processes for recognition as a specialist general practitioner (GP) for Medicare purposes under the Health Insurance Act 1973 (HI Act) and will align Medicare eligibility for GPs with the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) registration requirements.

The Act also removes references to repealed legislation in relation to the definition of a quality assurance activity by amending subsection 124W(1)(a) of Part VC of the HI Act.

Reps: Intro 27/02/20, 2R 27/02/20, 14/05/20, Passed 14/05/20
Senate: Intro 14/05/20, 2R 14/05/20, 12/06/20, Passed 12/06/20

Assent 16/06/20, Act No. 50 of 2020

Commencement:

1. Sections 1 to 3 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by this table: The day this Act receives the Royal Assent.
2. Schedule 1: A single day to be fixed by Proclamation. However, if the provisions do not commence within the period of 12 months beginning on the day this Act receives the Royal Assent, they commence on the day after the end of that period.
3. Schedule 2: The day after this Act receives the Royal Assent.


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