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)
5 November
Australia secures a further 50 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine
Two more COVID-19 vaccines have been secured for the Australian population under new agreements, bringing the Australian Government's COVIDĀ]19 vaccine investment to more than $3.2 billion. Under the agreements, Novavax will supply 40 million vaccine doses and Pfizer/BioNTech will provide 10 million vaccine doses, should the vaccines be proven safe and effective. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the Government's COVID-19 Vaccine and Treatment Strategy had now secured access to four COVID-19 vaccines and over 134 million doses.
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Australia well prepared for COVID-19 vaccine rollout
Australia is well placed for the rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine, once clinical trials and the regulator has confirmed safety and effectiveness, said Minister Hunt. Under the Government's COVID-19 Vaccine and Treatment Strategy, Australia has secured 134.8 million doses through advance purchasing agreements with four suppliers: AstraZeneca/Oxford, University of Queensland/CSL, Novavax and Pfizer/BioNTech. In addition, Australia has access to a further 25 million doses through the COVAX facility. This is well in excess of covering the entire population of 25 million.
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Novavax and Commonwealth of Australia announce agreement in principle for acquisition of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine
Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a late stage biotechnology company developing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, announced the signing of a non-binding Heads of Terms document with the Australian Government to supply 40 million doses of the Company's COVID-19 vaccine candidate, NVX-CoV2373, for the Australian community.
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Vaccine deals step in right direction, but still unprepared
'Neither of the new vaccine deals will cover the Australian population, and one of them we can't currently distribute. We support moves to secure more advance supply deals, but we were late to the party and are barely playing catch up. We know no one vaccine will be a silver bullet, and even if successful, they won't be ready at the same time. That's why we've been pushing the government to reach the 5-6 supply deals other like-minded countries have,' said Shadow Minister for Health Chris Bowen.
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4 November
QLD: Queensland COVID-19 update
Queensland has recorded two new cases of COVID-19, both testing positive while in hotel quarantine, said the Queensland Department of Health. The cases - a man in his forties and a man in his thirties - were infected while overseas. One case is being managed by Metro North Hospital and Health Service and the other by Metro South Hospital and Health Service. They bring Queensland's total cases to 1,177, eight of which are active.
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WA: New Bill to extend timeframe for COVID-19 response measures
An omnibus Bill has been introduced into the State Parliament seeking to extend the timeframe for the COVID-19 legislative amendments that have helped Western Australia successfully manage the global pandemic and better protect Western Australians. The COVID-19 Response Legislation Amendment (Extension of Expiring Provisions) Bill 2020 will also ensure that the amendments made to protect and support emergency and frontline workers will remain in place for longer, providing much-needed certainty, said WA Premier Mark McGowan and WA Minister for Emergency Services Francis Logan.
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WA: COVID-19 update - 4 November 2020
The WA Department of Health has reported one new case of COVID-19 in Western Australia. The confirmed case is a male traveller in his 30s who returned to Perth from overseas. He is in hotel quarantine. The State's positive COVID-19 case total stands at 771. To date 748 people have recovered from the virus. WA Health is monitoring 14 active cases, including one crew member from the AL Messilah livestock carrier which remains berthed at Fremantle Port.
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3 November
QLD: Border restrictions Direction (No. 17)
On 29 January 2020, under the Public Health Act 2005, the Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services made an order declaring a public health emergency in relation to coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The public health emergency area specified in the order is for 'all of Queensland'. Its duration has been extended by regulation to 31 December 2020 and may be further extended, said the Queensland Department of Health.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW Health has reported one new case of locally transmitted COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm, which is linked to a known cluster in south-west Sydney. Two cases were also reported in overseas travellers in hotel quarantine, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 4,246. There were 8,550 tests reported to 8pm, compared with 7,431 in the previous 24 hours. Of the three new cases:
- One was locally acquired and linked to a known cluster.
- Two were acquired overseas and are now in hotel quarantine.
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2 November
NT: COVID Safety Supervisors and safe checkin systems
The Northern Territory Chief Health Officer is introducing new directions to help keep Territorians safe. These directions will require all businesses with a COVID-19 Safety Plan to review it every six months and appoint a COVID Safety Supervisor, and those business that were required to close at the start of the year will commence collecting customer contact details to assist with contact tracing. The NT Department of Health said that Dr Hugh Heggie said the new draft directions were about strengthening resilience as a nation to open domestic borders by Christmas.
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SA: COVID-19 Update 2 November 2020
There have been no new cases of COVID-19, said the SA Department of Health. There have been a total of 501 cases reported in South Australia. Anyone who has recently arrived in SA from NSW and has been to any locations of concern identified by NSW Health, should seek testing and self-isolate immediately. People experiencing any of the following symptoms should be tested for COVID-19:
- Fever or chills (in the absence of an alternative illness that explains these symptoms);
- An acute respiratory infection e.g. symptoms of cough, sore throat, runny nose, or shortness of breath;
- Loss of smell or alteration in the sense of taste.
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WA: COVID-19 update - 2 November 2020
The WA Department of Health has reported one new case of COVID-19 in Western Australia. The confirmed case is a male traveller in his 20s who returned to Perth from overseas. He is in hotel quarantine. The State's positive COVID-19 case total is now 770. WA Health is monitoring 39 active cases and 722 people have recovered from the virus.
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1 November
NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
NSW has reported no new cases of locally transmitted COVID-19. Four cases were reported in overseas travellers in hotel quarantine, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 4,236. There were 14,751 tests reported. NSW Health is calling on the people of south west Sydney, where there have been a number of recent cases in the community, to come forward for testing. Most people receive their test results within 24 hours. Of the new cases to, all four were acquired overseas and are now in hotel quarantine. NSW Health can advise there has been an additional case reported.
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31 October
Australian support for COVID-19 vaccine access in the Pacific and Southeast Asia
'The Indo-Pacific region is the engine of the new global economy,' said Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne, Minister for International Development and the Pacific Alex Hawke and Minister Hunt. 'Ensuring it can recover quickly will stimulate economic activity and restore jobs at home and abroad. The Australian Government is committed to supporting access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for the Pacific and Southeast Asia, as part of a shared recovery for the region from the pandemic. This will also contribute to Australia's own health security and economic recovery.
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30 October
NSW: COVID-19 Statistics
No new cases of locally transmitted COVID-19. Six cases were reported in overseas travellers in hotel quarantine, bringing total number of cases in State to 4,228, said NSW Health. There were 12,785 tests reported. Of the new cases: Six were acquired overseas and are now in hotel quarantine. NSW Health can advise there has been an additional case reported since 8pm in south west Sydney. This case attended the Flip Out Prestons Indoor Trampoline Park, Unit B/238 Hoxton Park Road, Prestons on Sunday 25 October.
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NSW: NSWALC secures disposable face masks to assist LALCs
NSWALC has secured a supply of 99,000 single use face masks, which will be distributed to assist Aboriginal communities in New South Wales to deal with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The masks were sourced via a donation from tech giant Apple, which has made significant contributions to assist countries across the globe to deal with the crisis. NSWALC Chairperson Anne Dennis thanked Apple and the NSW State Government for their assistance in sourcing the masks, noting that 'this generous donation will go a long way to ensuring that Aboriginal peoples can feel confident and protected as we continue to negotiate the ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19.'
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Aged Care
5 November
SA aged care workers still carrying pandemic costs
The apparent relaxation of a ban on South Australian aged care workers taking on two jobs leaves aged care workers at a serious financial disadvantage heading into Christmas, United Workers Union aged care director Carolyn Smith said. 'The slippery wording of this 'relaxation' of the two-jobs ban does nothing to address the financial burden of the pandemic aged care workers have been expected to carry since the ban was announced in August,' Ms Smith said. 'The real effect of terms such as 'to the extent reasonably possible' personal care workers should not work across two facilities means regularly-employed personal care workers will remain blocked from working two jobs.'
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2 November
Operational update - Victorian Aged Care Response Centre
The Department of Health and Victorian Aged Care Response Centre continues to provide the robust response effort required to protect the most vulnerable senior Australians living in aged care from the COVID-19 pandemic. The total number of aged care outbreaks since 1 January 2020 is 177; there are now 10 active outbreaks. There are zero new cases associated with residential aged care facilities. The 7-day moving average of new cases is 0.43. There have been no new cases in an aged care resident since 26 September 2020.
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Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
5 November
Lessons learnt from COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care
Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality & Safety said there have been over 220 COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged-care facilities, with the number of active outbreaks now greatly reduced. In the context of the diminishing community prevalence of COVID-19 infections and reduced risk for residents and staff in aged-care homes, it is timely for the Commission and approved providers to consider the lessons learnt from COVID-19 outbreaks in order to consider and plan what may be done differently in future to better manage outbreaks and protect the safety of aged-care consumers.
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Allied Health
None this edition.
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Children's Health
1 November
Record childhood vaccination rates through COVID-19
More Australian families are vaccinating their children, with new figures showing four quarters of growth in all childhood coverage rates to September 2020, the highest on record. Each year, the Government invests more than $400 million in the National Immunisation Program to protect young and vulnerable Australians. The highest rates of vaccination are among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at five years, at more than 97 per cent. The coverage rate for all five-year-olds continues to grow towards the aspirational 95 per cent target. In the year to September 2020, it reached 94.9 per cent, said Minister for Health Greg Hunt.
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Clinical Governance
None this edition.
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Construction and Health Infrastructure
None this edition.
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Dental
None this edition.
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Disabilities
3 November
Changes to the NDIS Independent Advisory Council
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Stuart Robert announced the appointment of Dr Leighton Jay to the Independent Advisory Council to the NDIS. Minister Robert said the Council plays an important role in supporting the NDIA Board, and Dr Jay's appointment complements an already strong and knowledgeable group of Council members. 'I would like to welcome Dr Leighton Jay to the Council. He has extensive experience in the disability sector, particularly as the parent of an NDIS participant with complex disability support needs, and I look forward to working with him,' Minister Robert said.
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QLD: Disability Accommodation Services Direction (No.5)
On 29 January 2020, under the Public Health Act 2005, the Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services made an order declaring a public health emergency in relation to coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The public health emergency area specified in the order is for 'all of Queensland'. Its duration has been extended by regulation to 31 December 2020 and may be further extended, said Queensland Department of Health.
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Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
30 October
Interim Report released by Disability Royal Commission
The Government welcomed the release of the interim report from the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the interim report was indicative of the complexity and scale of the Commission's inquiry. 'Violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability is unacceptable and abhorrent,' Minister Ruston said. 'That's why we have invested $527.9 million to establish this important joint inquiry between the Commonwealth and state and territory governments in April last year.'
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E-Health
None this edition.
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Education and Training
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Funding
None this edition.
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Health Professionals
4 November
Implement Bushfire Royal Commission recommendations now
The AMA called on the Federal Government to urgently implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements to reduce the health and human cost of future bushfire seasons, and other natural disasters. 'The Royal Commission has recognised the serious health implications of bushfires, including the direct deaths and injuries, and the future consequences of exposure to smoke haze,' AMA President, Dr Omar Khorshid, said.
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3 November
Commonwealth congratulates final year medical students
Australia's medical students have had a difficult year with the challenges posed by COVID- 19. But with more than 3,700 set to graduate and start their careers next year, it has still been a success. Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said the COVID-19 crisis had challenged training arrangements for future doctors, with significant changes needed to clinical education. Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton said students had to deal with challenges that others had not faced in previous years, including some students who couldn't undertake part of their placement in rural and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
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Hospitals
3 November
NT: Cellulitis: Clean it, cover it, check it
NT Health warned about the threat of cellulitis, which often starts as a small cut sustained camping or fishing, but is one of the leading causes of potentially preventable hospitalisations (PPH) in the Top End. Cellulitis is a bacterial infection under the skin surface. In the early stages, cellulitis can cause redness, warmth, swelling and pain. Top End Health Service PPH Project Manager, Jeff Gaden, said about 100 people were admitted to hospital each month with cellulitis from a bacterial infection. 'If you want to stay out of hospital with cellulitis, the message is simple. Clean it, cover it, check it,' said Mr Gaden.
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Insurance
5 November
Cardiac patients blocked by heartless private health insurers
Thousands of Australians who rely on pacemakers and implanted defibrillators are being denied access to remote heart monitoring that identifies problems before they escalate and reduces the need for in-person doctor visits. Heart experts and advocates are alarmed that some of Australia's largest health funds have turned their backs on patients who require remote cardiac monitoring to not only manage heart irregularities but adhere to COVID-19 related advice to limit hospital visits. hearts4heart CEO Tanya Hall said her patient advocacy and support group has been inundated with appeals from doctors and distressed patients who have received rejections from health insurers.
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Australians ditching private health insurance during the pandemic
Fifteen per cent of Australians with private health insurance have dropped or reduced their cover during the pandemic, according to the latest Taking the Pulse of the Nation survey, exacerbating downward trends in membership among young people, said the University of Melbourne and the Melbourne Institute. A Research Insight based on the survey found that younger Australians, those experiencing financial stress, and people who have lost jobs due to COVID-19 are all more likely to have dropped health insurance. Nearly a third of Australians aged 35-44 reduced or dropped their insurance, and a quarter of those aged 25-34.
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3 November
Operations of Private Health Insurers Annual Report
APRA releases on an annual basis, statistics on the operations of private health insurers. These statistics relate to the operations and financial activities of registered private health insurers for the reference period. The Operations of Private Health Insurers Annual Report Data provides in-depth information relating to the operations of private health insurers and the industry for the financial year 2019-2020.
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Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Rules (No. 7) 2020
The Department of Health said that The Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Rules (No. 7) 2020 (the Amendment Rules) were registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 30 October 2020 and commence on 1 November 2020.
The Amendment Rules amend the:
- Private Health Insurance (Benefit Requirement) Rules 2011
- Private Health Insurance (Complying Product) Rules 2015
- Private Health Insurance (Health Insurance) Rules 2018
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Medicare
None this edition.
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Men's Health
None this edition.
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Mental Health
4 November
Pandemic heightening the awareness of social and mental health impact among Millennials
New research by ahm health insurance has found more than half of all Millennials are feeling daunted about going to a party as they reflect on their life during COVID-19. The ahm mindset survey of more than a thousand Australians found that despite COVID-19 restrictions banning parties, Millennial women (60%) were more likely to feel nervous about attending then men (47%). Millennials in Queensland were the most likely to say they felt daunted about going to a party (57%), followed by NSW/ACT (56%), Western Australia (55%), South Australia (49%) and Victoria (47%).
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3 November
Upgraded headspace for North-West youth
Devonport's headspace service has been significantly upgraded as part of a $111.3 million funding commitment from the Australian Government to improve 30 centres across the country. Minister for Youth, Richard Colbeck, said young people across Tasmania had been affected significantly by the impacts of COVID-19, and access to mental health services and support was more important than ever. 'Mental health and suicide prevention remains one of the Australian Government's highest priorities,' Minister Colbeck said.
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1 November
How's Your Head Today? campaign launched to support mental health across Australia
The Government will roll out a COVID-19 mental health campaign How's your head today? to urge people to prioritise their mental health, raise awareness about how to identify when something is wrong, and encourage people to seek help, said Minister for Health Greg Hunt. The campaign will be launched on TV, radio, in shopping centres and venues, online and through social media from Sunday and will continue through to next year. How's your head today? encourages all Australians to check in with how they are feeling.
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NSW: Service NSW staff to receive mental health training
A 3,000-strong legion of Service NSW staff will be trained to respond to customers in distress as the impact of drought, bushfires and COVID-19 continue to take a heavy toll on communities. NSW Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the training program, which has been fast-tracked for Service NSW staff following the drought, bushfires and COVID-19, is part of a two-year investment of more than $1 million in suicide prevention training for staff working in systems outside of mental health. 'Service NSW has been at the forefront of the NSW Government's response to COVID-19,' Mrs Taylor said.
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Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System
None this edition.
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Pharmaceuticals
5 November
Prescription medicines: new or extended uses, or new combinations of registered medicines
Over time, the approved therapeutic uses of prescription medicines registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) can change. Changes commonly include 'new uses' or 'extended uses'. A new use is where an already registered medicine is approved for an additional therapeutic use. An extended use is where an already registered medicine is approved to treat a broader range of patients. New or extended uses are called 'extensions of indications'. By contrast, a 'new combination' is where two or more already registered medicines are combined into a single product, said the
Department of Health and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
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Prescription medicines: registration of new generic medicines and biosimilar medicines
Throughout the year, TGA will be publishing information on new generic and biosimilar prescription medicines as they are approved. A generic medicine is an additional brand of an existing medicine. It contains the same 'active ingredient' as the existing medicine; the 'active ingredient' is the chemical that is biologically active in the body and makes the medicine work. Active ingredients can be manufactured and sold by other sponsors once the patent for the existing brand medicine has expired.
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PBS Schedule review to ensure access to medicines for palliative care patients
A decision to review the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Palliative Care Schedule has been welcomed by Palliative Care Australia (PCA) and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and described as an important step in ensuring palliative care patients are provided flexible access to the medicines they need. The announcement by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) follows submissions by PCA, the RACGP and others, concerning the retention, deletion, and amendment of items on the Palliative Care Schedule.
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3 November
Target Australia Pty Ltd fined $13,320 for alleged importation of surgical face masks not on the ARTG
The TGA has issued an infringement notice for $13,320 to Target Australia Pty Ltd for the alleged importation of surgical face masks not on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Target Australia allegedly breached a condition of the Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices - Face Masks and Other Articles) (COVID-19 Emergency) Exemption 2020(link is external) (the exemption) by importing surgical face masks that were not, at the time of the importation, included in the ARTG and were not being imported for supply to the National Medical Stockpile.
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New resources to support down-titration of b/tsDMARDs
A new set of resources to help consumers, specialists and other health professionals make safe and wise decisions about reducing the dose of biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs) is now available from the Targeted Therapies Alliance. Part of a wider three year program under the Australian Government's Value in Prescribing program to ensure the best possible health and economic outcomes from investment in these therapies, the new resources will support the implementation of new living guidelines developed by the Australia and New Zealand Musculoskeletal (ANZMUSC) Clinical Trials Network. These living guidelines, which are currently out for public consultation prior to NHMRC endorsement, recommend that prescribers may consider down-titration of b/tsDMARDs for people with rheumatoid arthritis or axial spondyloarthritis who are in remission or have low disease activity.
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Research
4 November
Life expectancy continues to increase in Australia
Life expectancy in Australia continues to increase, with a boy expected to live to 80.9 years and a girl to 85.0 years, according to the latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). 'Male life expectancy has increased by 0.2 years since 2016-2018, and by 1.6 years in the past ten years. Female life expectancy has increased by 0.1 years since 2016-2018, and by 1.1 years in the past decade,' ABS Demography Director Lauren Ford said.
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Using antimicrobials to prevent infections in hospitals
Professor Mark Willcox from the University of New South Wales received the Marshall and Warren Ideas Grant Award at this year's NHMRC Research Excellence Awards. Professor Willcox's research targets hospital-acquired infections. Half of all hospital-acquired infections are from microbial colonisation of medical devices such as catheters and hip replacements. Professor Willcox and his team are developing new antimicrobial coatings that can be applied to medical devices to reduce the incidence of these infections, said National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
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3 November
Hearing Services Program Review - Consultation paper call for submissions
The review into the Hearing Services Program was announced by Minister for Regional Health Regional Communications and Local Government Mark Coulton in August 2020 is underway. It is being led by an independent panel headed by Professor Mike Woods as Chair, and Dr Zena Burgess. The review seeks to identify opportunities to modernise the program and ensure it has a strong consumer focus. The Hearing Services Program Review Consultation Paper was released on Friday 30 October 2020 to prompt discussion around key areas that could inform the program's modernisation.
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The housing half of holistic health
Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) said that the Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation has contributed to a study of a major factor underlying many of the health issues facing Aboriginal people in and around Tennant Creek: inadequate housing. As the below diagram shows, Anyinginyi takes a holistic approach to health, striving for best practice in both health care and cultural respect. The researchers found high rates of preventable hygiene-related infectious diseases, over half of which were skin infections. It seems clear that inadequate housing is the source of much of the infectious disease, as the report said: 'The fundamental cause of the high rates of preventable infections is crowding.'
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Rural, Regional and Remote Health
5 November
Lifesaving Telestroke Service comes to Dubbo
Patients in the Dubbo region will have access to a 24-hour telestroke service, as part of a $21.7 million groundbreaking program being rolled out across NSW. NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard and Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton were joined by NSW Minister for Mental Health, Regional Health and Women, Bronnie Taylor, and Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders, to make the announcement at Dubbo Base Hospital ahead of the joint Federal-State Bilateral Regional Health Forum.
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Women's Health
None this edition.
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Transcripts
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
05 NOV: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Randwick
Subjects: Coronavirus, Vaccine, Scientific research, National vaccine policy, International borders, Health response, US election
Minister for Health Greg Hunt
05 NOV: Transcript of Interview with Edwina Bartholomew, Sunrise
Subjects: New COVID vaccine agreements, Public health, Coronavirus
Minister for Health Greg Hunt
05 NOV: Transcript of Interview with Danica De Giorgio, Sky News
Subjects: US Presidential election, Democratic integrity, COVID-19 vaccine supply agreements, Coronavirus, Public health
Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton
05 NOV: Transcript of Speech to the Second Bilateral Regional Health Forum
Subjects: Australian economy, Mental health, Coronavirus, Regional and rural health, Fed Govt funding
Minister for Regional Health Mark Coulton
05 NOV: Transcript of Press Conference, Dubbo
Subjects: Telestroke Health, Stroke, Regional and rural health, Coronavirus
Deputy Labor Leader in the Senate Kristina Keneally
03 NOV: Opinion Piece, first published in The Sydney Morning Herald - 'Parents need to know why their child was stillborn'
Subjects: Children, Health, Stillbirth, Medicine, Families, Parents, Women, Death
WA: Department of Health
02 NOV: Transcript of Interview by Acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, with Fran Kelly, ABC Radio National
Subjects: COVID-19, Testing, Community transmission, Quarantine standards, Contact tracing
Minister for Health Greg Hunt
01 NOV: Transcript of Press Conference with NMHC Head Christine Morgan, Canberra
Subjects: COVID-19, Mental health, State borders, International travel, Vaccine, CALD communities, VIC lockdown, Hotspot
Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne
31 OCT: Transcript of Press Conference, Parramatta Sydney NSW
Subjects: Qatari apology regarding events at Hamad International Airport, Women, Foreign affairs, Climate change, COVID-19 vaccine commitment in Pacific & Southeast Asia
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Reports
Response to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee report - My Health Record System
Australian Government
The Australian Government (the Government) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the findings and recommendations of the Senate Community Affairs References Committee report on the My Health Record (MHR} system. MHR is Australia's national digital health record system. It is an electronic summary of an individual's key health information that can be shared securely online between the individual and their healthcare providers to support improved clinical decision making and continuity of care. The system has been operating without incident since July 2012.
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Life tables
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
Life expectancy at birth was 80.9 years for males and 85.0 years for females in 2017-19. Victoria (81.8 years) had the highest male life expectancy. Australian Capital Territory (85.6 years) had the highest female life expectancy.
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Interim Report - Summary & Full Report
Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation of People with Disability
The interim report records the difficulties of reaching all people with disability who have experienced violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation. For example, people with disability living in closed or segregated environments and First Nations people with disability living in remote communities are not likely to respond to conventional techniques for eliciting submissions or accounts of personal experiences. There must be strenuous and innovative efforts to engage with as many people with disability as possible and to ensure they receive appropriate support to do so safely and comfortably.
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Taking the Pulse of the Nation
University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute
About 1 in 5 Australians were dissatisfied with government policies to support jobs in October and this proportion is the same as that in early April (the period immediately following the announcement of the imposition of lockdowns and the closure of borders in Australia). Dis-satisfaction was lower around May when JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments began to flow, but the proportion dis-satisfied crept up when people realised that restrictions were likely to be around for a prolonged period.
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Health expenditure Australia 2018-19 - Report
Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW)
In 2018-19, an estimated $195.7 billion was spent on health goods and services in Australia. This equates to an average of approximately $7,772 per person and constituted 10% of overall economic activity for this period. After adjusting for inflation, total health spending (recurrent and capital) was 3.1% more than in 2017-18. This was slightly lower than the average yearly growth rate over the decade to 2018-19 (3.5%). During 2018-19, more than two-thirds (68.3%) of health spending was by governments- $80.6 billion by the Australian Government and $53.0 billion by state and territory governments.
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Indigenous eye health measures 2020
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
Vision loss has a substantial impact on the overall health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It may contribute to reduced quality of life by limiting opportunities for physical mobility, work, education and social engagement. Those with vision loss may also be more dependent on services and other people. They can also face an increased risk of injury or death and have reduced life expectancy.
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National Disability Strategy - Submission to Department of Social Services
Law Council of Australia
There are approximately 4.4 million people with disability in Australia, each with their own unique story. The current National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 sets a positive vision for an Australian society that enables people with disability to fulfil their aspirations and potential as equal members of the community. The full participation and inclusion of people with disability benefits all Australians.
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Hansards
Federal
03 NOV 2020: SENATE ESTIMATES HANSARD: COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LEGISLATION COMMITTEE: Health Portfolio - Dept of Health - Outcome 5 - Regulation, Safety & Protection - Program 5.1 - Protect Health & Safety of Community Through Regulation - 27 OCT 2020
03 NOV 2020: SENATE ESTIMATES HANSARD: COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LEGISLATION COMMITTEE: Health Portfolio - In Attendance - 27 OCT 2020
03 NOV 2020: SENATE ESTIMATES HANSARD: COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LEGISLATION COMMITTEE: Health Portfolio - Dept of Health - Outcome 5 - Regulation, Safety & Protection - Program 5.2 - Health Protection & Emergency Response - 27 OCT 2020
03 NOV 2020: SENATE ESTIMATES HANSARD: COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LEGISLATION COMMITTEE: Health Portfolio - Dept of Health - Outcome 6 - Ageing & Aged Care - Program 6.1 - Access & Information - 27 OCT 2020
03 NOV 2020: SENATE ESTIMATES HANSARD: COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LEGISLATION COMMITTEE: Health Portfolio - Dept of Health - Outcome 3 - Program 3.1 - Sport & Recreation - National Sports Tribunal - 27 OCT 2020
03 NOV 2020: SENATE ESTIMATES HANSARD: COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LEGISLATION COMMITTEE: Health Portfolio - Dept of Health - Outcome 3 - Program 3.1 - Sport & Recreation - Australian Sports Foundation - 27 OCT 2020
03 NOV 2020: SENATE ESTIMATES HANSARD: COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LEGISLATION COMMITTEE: Health Portfolio - Dept of Health - Outcome 3 - Program 3.1 - Sport & Recreation - Australian Institute of Sport - 27 OCT 2020
03 NOV 2020: SENATE ESTIMATES HANSARD: COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LEGISLATION COMMITTEE: Health Portfolio - Dept of Health - Outcome 6 - Ageing & Aged Care - Program 6.3 - Aged Care Quality - 27 OCT 2020
03 NOV 2020: SENATE ESTIMATES HANSARD: COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LEGISLATION COMMITTEE: Health Portfolio - Dept of Health - Outcome 5 - Regulation, Safety & Protection - Australia Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) - 27 OCT 2020
27 OCT 2020: SENATE ESTIMATES HANSARD: COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LEGISLATION COMMITTEE: Health Portfolio - Dept of Health - Outcome 6 - Ageing & Aged Care - Program 6.2 - Home Care Services
27 OCT 2020: SENATE ESTIMATES HANSARD: COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LEGISLATION COMMITTEE: Health Portfolio - Dept of Health - Outcome 6 - Ageing & Aged Care - Program 6.3 - Aged Care Quality
27 OCT 2020: SENATE ESTIMATES HANSARD: COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LEGISLATION COMMITTEE: Health Portfolio - Dept of Health - Outcome 5 - Regulation, Safety & Protection - Program 5.2 - Health Protection & Emergency Response
27 OCT 2020: SENATE ESTIMATES HANSARD: COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LEGISLATION COMMITTEE: Health Portfolio - In Attendance
27 OCT 2020: SENATE ESTIMATES HANSARD: COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LEGISLATION COMMITTEE: Health Portfolio - Dept of Health - Outcome 5 - Regulation, Safety & Protection - Program 5.1 - Protect Health & Safety of Community Through Regulation
Western Australia
04 NOV 2020: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Coronavirus - Regional Western Australia - Medical Practitioners
04 NOV 2020: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Statement by Minister for Health - WA Country Health Service - Fiona Stanley Hospital - Telelymphoedema Service
04 NOV 2020: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Australian Medical Association of Western Australia - Public Hospital Report Card
04 NOV 2020: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Coronavirus - Residential Aged-Care Facilities
04 NOV 2020: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions On Notice - Hospitals - Regional - Safety
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Court Cases
None this edition.
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New Regulations
Federal
Statement of Principles Concerning Conjunctivitis (Balance of Probabilities) (No. 77 of 2020)
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2020L01397
The Authority is of the view that on the sound medical-scientific evidence available it is more probable than not that conjunctivitis and death from conjunctivitis can be related to particular kinds of service. The Authority has therefore determined pursuant to subsection 196B(3) of the VEA a Statement of Principles concerning conjunctivitis (Balance of Probabilities) (No. 77 of 2020). This Instrument will in effect replace the repealed Statement of Principles.
Explanatory Statement
Statement of Principles Concerning Toxic Vestibulopathy (Balance of Probabilities) (No. 89 of 2020)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01396
The Authority is of the view that on the sound medical-scientific evidence available it is more probable than not that toxic vestibulopathy and death from toxic vestibulopathy can be related to particular kinds of service. The Authority has therefore determined this Statement of Principles concerning toxic vestibulopathy pursuant to subsection 196B(3) of the VEA.
Explanatory Statement
Statement of Principles Concerning Conjunctivitis (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 76 of 2020)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01395
The Authority is of the view that there is sound medical-scientific evidence that indicates that conjunctivitis and death from conjunctivitis can be related to particular kinds of service. The Authority has therefore determined pursuant to subsection 196B(2) of the VEA a Statement of Principles concerning conjunctivitis (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 76 of 2020). This Instrument will in effect replace the repealed Statement of Principles.
Explanatory Statement
Statement of Principles Concerning Toxic Vestibulopathy (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 88 of 2020)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01394
The Authority is of the view that there is sound medical-scientific evidence that indicates that toxic vestibulopathy and death from toxic vestibulopathy can be related to particular kinds of service. The Authority has therefore determined this Statement of Principles concerning toxic vestibulopathy pursuant to subsection 196B(2) of the VEA.
Explanatory Statement
Statement of Principles concerning Spinal Adhesive Arachnoiditis (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 74 of 2020)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01391
The Authority is of the view that there is sound medical-scientific evidence that indicates that spinal adhesive arachnoiditis and death from spinal adhesive arachnoiditis can be related to particular kinds of service. The Authority has therefore determined pursuant to subsection 196B(2) of the VEA a Statement of Principles concerning spinal adhesive arachnoiditis (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 74 of 2020). This Instrument will in effect replace the repealed Statement of Principles.
Explanatory Statement
Amendment Statement of Principles concerning Intervertebral Disc Prolapse (Balance of Probabilities) (No. 92 of 2020)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01390
The Authority is of the view that there is sound medical-scientific evidence that indicates that dengue virus infection and death from dengue virus infection can be related to particular kinds of service. The Authority has therefore determined pursuant to subsection 196B(2) of the VEA a Statement of Principles concerning dengue virus infection (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 78 of 2020). This Instrument will in effect replace the repealed Statement of Principles.
Explanatory Statement
Statement of Principles concerning Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 90 of 2020)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01388
The Authority is of the view that there is sound medical-scientific evidence that indicates that inflammatory bowel disease and death from inflammatory bowel disease can be related to particular kinds of service. The Authority has therefore determined pursuant to subsection 196B(2) of the VEA a Statement of Principles concerning inflammatory bowel disease (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 90 of 2020). This Instrument will in effect replace the repealed Statement of Principles.
Explanatory Statement
Statement of Principles concerning Tinnitus (Balance of Probabilities) (No. 85 of 2020)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01386
The Authority is of the view that on the sound medical-scientific evidence available it is more probable than not that tinnitus and death from tinnitus can be related to particular kinds of service. The Authority has therefore determined pursuant to subsection 196B(3) of the VEA a Statement of Principles concerning tinnitus (Balance of Probabilities) (No. 85 of 2020). This Instrument will in effect replace the repealed Statement of Principles.
Explanatory Statement
Statement of Principles concerning Tinnitus (Reasonable Hypothesis)(No. 84 of 2020)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01385
The Authority is of the view that there is sound medical-scientific evidence that indicates that tinnitus and death from tinnitus can be related to particular kinds of service. The Authority has therefore determined pursuant to subsection 196B(2) of the VEA a Statement of Principles concerning tinnitus (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 84 of 2020). This Instrument will in effect replace the repealed Statement of Principles.
Explanatory Statement
Statement of Principles concerning Photocontact Dermatitis (Balance of Probabilities) (No. 83 of 2020)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01384
The Authority is of the view that on the sound medical-scientific evidence available it is more probable than not that photocontact dermatitis and death from photocontact dermatitis can be related to particular kinds of service. The Authority has therefore determined pursuant to subsection 196B(3) of the VEA a Statement of Principles concerning photocontact dermatitis (Balance of Probabilities) (No. 83 of 2020). This Instrument will in effect replace the repealed Statement of Principles.
Explanatory Statement
Statement of Principles concerning Malignant Neoplasm of the Cervix (Balance of Probabilities) (No. 81 of 2020)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01383
The Authority is of the view that on the sound medical-scientific evidence available it is more probable than not that malignant neoplasm of the cervix and death from malignant neoplasm of the cervix can be related to particular kinds of service. The Authority has therefore determined pursuant to subsection 196B(3) of the VEA a Statement of Principles concerning malignant neoplasm of the cervix (Balance of Probabilities) (No. 81 of 2020). This Instrument will in effect replace the repealed Statement of Principles.
Explanatory Statement
Statement of Principles concerning Photocontact Dermatitis (Reasonable Hypothesis)(No. 82 of 2020)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01382
The Authority is of the view that there is sound medical-scientific evidence that indicates that photocontact dermatitis and death from photocontact dermatitis can be related to particular kinds of service. The Authority has therefore determined pursuant to subsection 196B(2) of the VEA a Statement of Principles concerning photocontact dermatitis (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 82 of 2020). This Instrument will in effect replace the repealed Statement of Principles.
Explanatory Statement
Statement of Principles concerning Malignant Neoplasm of the Cervix (Reasonable Hypothesis)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01381
The Authority is of the view that there is sound medical-scientific evidence that indicates that malignant neoplasm of the cervix and death from malignant neoplasm of the cervix can be related to particular kinds of service. The Authority has therefore determined pursuant to subsection 196B(2) of the VEA a Statement of Principles concerning malignant neoplasm of the cervix (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 80 of 2020). This Instrument will in effect replace the repealed Statement of Principles.
Explanatory Statement
Statement of Principles concerning Dengue Virus Infection (Balance of Probabilities) (No. 79 of 2020)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01380
The Authority is of the view that on the sound medical-scientific evidence available it is more probable than not that dengue virus infection and death from dengue virus infection can be related to particular kinds of service. The Authority has therefore determined pursuant to subsection 196B(3) of the VEA a Statement of Principles concerning dengue virus infection (Balance of Probabilities) (No. 79 of 2020). This Instrument will in effect replace the repealed Statement of Principles.
Explanatory Statement
Private Health g Legislation Amendment Rules (No. 7) 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01378
The Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Rules (No.7) 2020 (the Amendment Rules) amends the:
- Private Health Insurance (Benefit Requirements) Rules 2011 (the Benefit Requirements Rules);
- Private Health Insurance (Complying Products) Rules 2015 (the Complying Product Rules); and,
- Private Health Insurance (Health Insurance Business) Rules 2018 (the Business Rules).
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy) Special Arrangement Amendment Instrument 2020 (No. 9)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01369
The purpose of this Instrument, made under subsection 100(2) of the Act, is to amend the National Health (Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy) Special Arrangement 2011 (PB 79 of 2011) (the Special Arrangement) to make changes relating to the Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy. The Special Arrangement achieves greater efficiency in payment for the supply of injected or infused chemotherapy medicines ('chemotherapy pharmaceutical benefits') to eligible patients being treated for cancer, to reflect the 2010 Budget measure titled 'Revised arrangements for the efficient funding of chemotherapy drugs'.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Highly specialised drugs program) Special Arrangement Amendment Instrument 2020 (No. 9)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01368
This is the National Health (Highly specialised drugs program) Special Arrangement Amendment Instrument 2020 (No.9) (this Instrument). The purpose of this Instrument, made under subsection 100(2) of the Act, is to amend the National Health (Highly specialised drugs program) Special Arrangement 2010 (PB 116 of 2010) (the Special Arrangement), to make changes to the Special Arrangement relating to the Highly Specialised Drugs program. The amendments made by this Instrument reflect amendments to the National Health (Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Instrument 2012 (PB 71 of 2012), which commence on the same day.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Amendment Instrument 2020 (No. 10)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01365
The purpose of this legislative instrument, made under sections 84AF, 84AK, 85, 85A, 88 and 101 of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act), is to amend the National Health (Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Instrument 2012 (PB 71 of 2012) to make changes to the pharmaceutical benefits listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and related matters. PB 71 of 2012 determines the pharmaceutical benefits that are on the PBS through declarations of drugs and medicinal preparations, and determinations of forms, manners of administration and brands.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Price and Special Patient Contribution) Amendment Determination 2020 (No. 9)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01364
This instrument (the Amending Determination) amends the Principal Determination by reflecting the addition of the brand name for one brand of one pharmaceutical item and deletion of one brand of one pharmaceutical item on 1 November 2020.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Continued Dispensing - Emergency Measures) Amendment Determination 2020 (No. 9)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01363
The purpose of this legislative instrument, made under subsection 89A(3) of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act), is to amend the National Health (Continued Dispensing - Emergency Measures) Determination 2020 to make changes to the pharmaceutical benefits eligible to be provided as a Continued Dispensing supply. The National Health (Continued Dispensing - Emergency Measures) Determination 2020 (the Principal Instrument) expands the list of pharmaceutical benefits that can be supplied by an approved pharmacist under Part VII of the Act without a prescription, and provides the conditions for such a supply (a 'Continued Dispensing' supply).
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Listed drugs on F1 or F2) Amendment Determination 2020 (No. 10) PB 108 of 2020
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01359
This instrument makes amendments to the Principal Determination. The Act provides that PBS listed drugs may be assigned to formularies identified as F1 and F2. F1 is intended for single branded drugs and F2 for drugs that have multiple brands, or are in a therapeutic group with other drugs with multiple brands. Drugs on F2 are subject to the provisions of the Act relating to price disclosure and guarantee of supply.
Explanatory Statement
National Health (Pharmaceutical benefits - early supply) Amendment Instrument 2020 (No. 9)
Legislative Instrument - F2020L01357
The purpose of this legislative instrument, made under subsection 84AAA(2) of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act) is to amend the National Health (Pharmaceutical benefits-early supply) Instrument 2015 (PB 120 of 2015) (the Principal Instrument). PB 120 of 2015 specifies the pharmaceutical items that are in pharmaceutical benefits for which Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) safety net entitlements will not apply for early supplies, and to specify the period following previous supply.
Explanatory Statement
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Proclamations
None this edition.
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Gazette Notices
New South Wales
30 OCT 2020: NSW GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. 292: Government Notices - Health & Education
27 OCT 2020: NSW GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. 287: Extraordinary Gazette - Public Health Act 2010 - Section 11- Order - Power to close public premises on public health grounds
22 OCT 2020: NSW GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. 286: Extraordinary Gazette - Public Health Act 2010 - Section 7 - Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 5) Amendment Order (No 2) 2020
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Consolidated Legislation
Health Insurance (Pathology Services Table) Regulations 2020
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2020C01002
Regulations as amended, taking into account amendments up to Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (2020 Measures No. 2) Regulations 2020.
Download
National Health (Electronic National Residential Medication Chart Trial) Special Arrangement 2018 (PB 49 of 2018)
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2020C00999
PB 49 of 2018 Arrangements as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Electronic National Residential Medication Chart Trial) Amendment (Approved Residential Care Services) Special Arrangement 4 of 2020.
Download
National Health (Commonwealth Price and Conditions for Commonwealth Payments for Supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Determination 2019 (PB 114 of 2019)
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2020C00997
PB 114 of 2019 Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Commonwealth Price and Conditions for Commonwealth Payments for Supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Amendment Determination 2020 (No. 7) (PB 104 of 2020).
Download
National Health (Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Instrument 2012 (PB 71 of 2012)
Legislation Instrument Compilation - F2020C00993
PB 71 of 2012 Other as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Amendment Instrument 2020 (No. 9).
Download
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New Bills
Western Australia
COVID-19 Response Legislation Amendment (Extension of Expiring Provisions) Bill 2020 - LA intro, 1R, 2R 4/11
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New Acts
None this edition.
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