03 APR 2020: LexisNexis Capital Monitor Health eNewsletter

Friday 3 April 2020

This eNewsletter 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.

The next edition of the Health newsletter will be published on Thursday, 9 April, due to the Good Friday public holiday on 10 April.

Major Announcements

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

2 April

Training more nurses for critical care
The Government will fund up to 20,000 new online education places to enable Registered Nurses to develop knowledge enabling them to assist in the delivery of care in intensive care and high dependency units across Australia, said Minister for Health Greg Hunt. The online training will allow experienced RNs to be used to maximum effect in the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will support a doubling in the number of intensive care beds in Australian hospitals, to meet the projected demand caused by COVID-19, said Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan. Up to $4.1 million will be provided to e-learning provider Medcast.
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Working together to support Senior Australians in Aged Care
The Government rejects assertions by the ABC that there have been no inspections in nursing homes since the COVID-19 outbreak - or a commitment to infection control, said Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck. There has never been closer interaction between Government, regulator and the sector. The focus of all parties since the outbreak has been to ensure those most susceptible to the impacts of the virus have been protected and the sector prepared. The Government has been engaging with the aged care sector since late January, issuing several fact sheets on COVID-19 and infection control and continues to meet with providers and peak bodies twice weekly to communicate related issues.
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$123 million boost to indigenous response to COVID-19
The Government is making $123 million available over two financial years for targeted measures to support Indigenous businesses and communities to increase their responses to COVID-19. Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are particularly vulnerable and more resources will strengthen their ability to manage the ongoing threat and impacts of the pandemic. 'The Government's health and economic response to COVID-19 is significant,' Minister Wyatt said. 'All Australians are beginning to access a variety of supports and we are making sure that the unique issues facing Indigenous Australians are specifically addressed through discrete measures.'
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CSIRO begins testing COVID-19 vaccines
CSIRO has commenced the first stage of testing potential vaccines for COVID-19. The testing, expected to take three months, is underway at CSIRO's high-containment biosecurity facility, the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) in Geelong. To prepare for disease outbreaks, last year CSIRO partnered with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a global group that aims to derail epidemics by speeding up the development of vaccines In January, CEPI engaged CSIRO to start working on the virus SARS CoV-2, which causes the disease COVID-19. In consultation with the World Health Organisation, CEPI has identified vaccine candidates.
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Testing of asymptomatic at-risk people vital to flattening the curve
Failure to test asymptomatic at-risk people and allow wider community testing will result in undetected transmission in the community and a bounce-back of the epidemic as lock-down restrictions are lifted, according to an article published by the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA). Professor Raina MacIntyre and Associate Professor David Heslop, both from the University of New South Wales, wrote that 'the only two countries to achieve sustained flattening of the curve to date are South Korea and China. South Korea has achieved this with more targeted, short lockdowns along with extensive testing.'
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How to be medicinewise with ibuprofen in times of COVID-19
The regular medicinewise advice still applies when using medicines to treat a fever, according to advice issued by NPS MedicineWise. Looking for reliable, evidence-based information to help you make decisions is key - and asking questions is an important part of being medicinewise all the time, and even more critical during a pandemic. NPS MedicineWise medical adviser and general practitioner Dr Jill Thistlethwaite says evidence and research about COVID-19 is growing and evolving all the time, so it can be hard to find clear information, but common sense should still apply. New information on the NPS MedicineWise website explains that currently there is not enough evidence to suggest that ibuprofen makes things worse.
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Australian Government's COVID-19 responses based on dodgy modelling - a $65b saving is possible
Professor Janek Ratnatunga, CEO of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA), stated in a paper that trying to model economic impacts of this global pandemic, based on the experience gained from past virus outbreaks, is fruitless; given the significant errors in the assumptions, and the resultant predictions made in extremely recent econometric models. He says that, 'even though the government has not released the pandemic modelling the Australian Health Protection Committee has used, the extreme measures of social isolation, as those being implemented in Australia, are still inadequate to prevent the health system from being overwhelmed at the 'peak' of the epidemic.'
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More concerned for those vulnerable to COVID-19 than for their own health, Ipsos poll shows
A majority of people surveyed across the world, and in Australia, are the most concerned for people who are vulnerable or weak amid the coronavirus pandemic, even as lockdowns and closures force millions to isolate themselves, according to the latest Ipsos COVID-19 survey. The key findings for Australia from this latest study show that:
- We are among the most concerned for the vulnerable and weak, with 59% indicating this when asked how they were feeling (from a list of 10 options);
- Anxiousness about one's own health was much lower at 31%.
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Self-isolation measures lead to plunge in movement of people in Sydney, Melbourne and at places of interest
A special analysis of movement data in Australia's leading cities, and at selected places of interest throughout Sydney and Melbourne, reveals a sharp drop-off in foot traffic in the central business districts of both cities and key places of interest in the last two weeks of March, said Roy Morgan. The emergence of COVID-19 changed the weekly tempo of movement in the city and over the last two weeks in particular movement has tailed off as retailers have increasingly closed and increasing numbers of office workers have begun working from home.
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Nurses should be helping fight coronavirus - Not being forced to pick fruit
Fully qualified nurses in Australia on working holiday maker (WHM) visas are being forced to pick fruit to meet their visa requirements rather than being able to continue their lifesaving work during the coronavirus crisis, said Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Kristina Keneally. Nurses in Australia on WHM visas are currently staffing pop-up testing clinic and Acute Medical Respiratory Units across Australia - putting their own lives at risk to help the combined efforts during this crisis, said Shadow Minister for Health Chris Bowen. They are also stepping up when Australian nurses have contact with COVID-19 and have to self-isolate for 14 days.
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Labor requests audit into government's covid-19 economic response measures
The Opposition has written to the Australian Auditor-General to request that the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) instigate an audit program to scrutinise government spending in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Shadow Minister for Finance Katy Gallagher. In the last three weeks alone, the Government has announced just over $200 billion in direct financial support, designed to support workers and businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak, said Member for Bruce Julian Hill. The Opposition has consistently said that they will be constructive, responsible and supportive of the economic responses the government has announced in response to the health and economic crisis caused by COVID-19.
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Set up a COVID-19 response committee to keep democracy healthy
The Australian Parliament should set up a cross-parliamentary committee to oversee the government's pandemic and ensure democratic checks and balances are maintained, said Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt. Mr Bandt has written to the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, as well as crossbench MPs and Senators, to request the formation of a Joint Select Committee at next week's sitting of Parliament. 'We need more democracy during this crisis, not less,' said Mr Bandt. 'This pandemic is perhaps the greatest challenge Australia ever has faced on its home turf. Now is not the time to be putting democracy on hold.'
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ACT: Boosting ACT's frontline health services
The ACT Territory Government is acting now to boost the Territory's frontline health services and ensure they are prepared for an increase in patients requiring life-saving treatment as a result of COVID-19, said ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr. This includes the construction and operation of a temporary COVID-19 Emergency Department (ED) at the Canberra Hospital. This facility will expand the Territory's ED capacity and enhance their ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, said ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith. The temporary emergency department will be dedicated to patients with moderate to severe cases of COVID-19 and will significantly increase acute services capability during a time of heightened demand on their health care system.
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NT: Two NT women diagnosed with COVID-19
The Northern Territory has recorded two new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), said the NT Department of the Chief Minister. A Darwin woman in her 20s has tested positive for the disease after returning from Bali on flight JQ82 on Friday 20 March. She had been in self-quarantine since that time and is now in Royal Darwin Hospital. Passengers on flight JQ82 should be in self-quarantine until Friday 3 April. If they feel unwell they are urged to contact their doctor or the Centre for Disease Control to arrange testing for COVID-19. An Alice Springs woman who recently returned from the Gold Coast has also been diagnosed with COVID-19.
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QLD: Two new paramedics for Cairns to boost COVID-19 frontline response
The fight against COVID-19 continues with additional Queensland Ambulance Service officers fast-tracked into Queensland communities to assist in the pandemic response, said Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles. Queensland Member for Cairns Michael Healy said Cairns locals can be reassured the Government is continuing to boost frontline resources to assist patients who've contracted the virus. Queensland Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said the addition to the workforce will help cater for an increase in demand for health care in Cairns. Queensland Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said our ambulance officers are playing a big role in identifying potential COVID-19 cases and getting patients to facilities. Queensland Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said North Queenslanders can be confident the Government is doing everything it can to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
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SA: FMC expansion bought forward to combat COVID-19
The $45.7 million expansion of the Flinders Medical Centre Emergency Department will be brought forward by four months to counter the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. SA Premier Steven Marshall said bringing forward the expansion of the Emergency Department at FMC was part of the State Government's strong plan to protect South Australians from the coronavirus pandemic. SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade bringing the Southern Health Expansion Plan earlier than planned would help prepare the State's health system for the upcoming months.
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VIC: Healthcare system to work as one during pandemic
The Victorian Government has struck a deal with the state's major private hospital operators to ensure they can continue to care for Victorians during the coronavirus pandemic. Victorian Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos finalised the agreement to support Victorian private hospitals, including St Vincent's Private Hospital, Epworth HealthCare, Cabrini Health, Ramsay Health Care, St John of God Health Care, Healthscope and Healthe Care Australia. The deal will see Victoria's public and private hospitals work together to relieve pressure on public hospitals and ensure the entire health system is operating at full capacity.
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WA: Stronger restrictions in place to protect Kimberley residents from COVID-19
The WA State Government has announced new measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 to the Kimberley region, said the WA Department of Health. The new measures follow confirmation of a number of positive COVID-19 cases in the region. All confirmed cases are currently self-isolating with contact tracing underway to determine the source of the infection, and to identify and isolate close contacts, as per the national guidelines. Travel restrictions are already in place in the Kimberley region but due to the seriousness of the situation, additional stronger measures are needed to stop the movement of people between towns or local government areas.
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1 April

AHPRA returns over 40,000 health practitioners to the temporary pandemic response sub-register to support our critical health workforce during the emergency
As health services prepare for the expected surge in demand resulting from COVID-19, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and National Boards have announced a new pandemic sub-register to fast track the return to the workforce of experienced and qualified health practitioners. This sub-register will enable doctors, nurses, midwives and pharmacists who previously held general or specialist registration in the past three years to return to practice.
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NSW: Locals to fill the medical supply chain
The NSW Government is calling on manufacturers around the State to help fill gaps in the global supply of medical equipment and hygiene products, redeploying spare capacity to save lives and jobs. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres launched a portal for companies to offer to build parts or supply eight urgently needed items during the COVID-19 crisis. Ms Berejiklian said the world was running short on hand sanitiser, handwash soap, gloves, cleaning products, protective clothing, masks, eyewear and paper products.
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QLD: Townsville Health heroes combatting the COVID-19 crisis
Townsville doctors, nurses, paramedics and health professionals are expected to receive up to $158 million in extra funding to ramp up their COVID-19 preparations thanks to the Government. Queensland Minister Miles met with staff at Townsville University Hospital with Queensland Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper, Queensland Member for Mundingburra Coralee O'Rourke and Queensland Member for Townsville Scott Stewart to thank staff for their dedication to protecting their community. 'COVID-19 has impacted communities across our state, and I would like to thank the staff at Townsville Hospital and Health Service for their ongoing dedication to protecting their fellow Queenslanders,' Minister Miles said.
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QLD: Queensland novel coronavirus (COVID-19) update
Queensland has 40 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) raising the state total to 781. Contact tracing is underway for the 40 new cases. Queensland Health will notify the community if any other public health alerts are required. The majority of cases are from patients who have travelled overseas, or have had direct contact with a confirmed case who had travelled overseas
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TAS: Coronavirus Public Health Alert 1 April 2020
Public Health Services have contacted a number of tourism and hospitality businesses following advice from an interstate health department that two people who travelled in Tasmania last month have subsequently been diagnosed with coronavirus, said the Tasmanian Department of Health. The two people travelled together as part of an organised tour of Tasmania from 12 to 23 March. One was likely to have been infectious with coronavirus from 12 March. The other from 19 March. Neither person was aware they had coronavirus while they were in Tasmania and did not present for either medical care or testing. They were only diagnosed after they returned to their home state.
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VIC: Huge expansion of our health system to fight coronavirus
Victoria's health system will receive a massive $1.3 billion injection to quickly establish an extra 4,000 ICU beds as they respond to the coronavirus pandemic and protect Victorian lives. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Victorian Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos announced the boost, which will secure the ICU equipment, staff and space they need to meet the expected surge in case load at the peak of the pandemic. At present, Victoria's public and private health services have approximately 450 fully equipped and staffed ICU beds, but they know that won't be nearly enough if the spread of the coronavirus continues. To be ready for the pandemic peak, they are ordering $1.2 billion worth of equipment and consumables.
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WA: COVID-19 testing criteria to be expanded in WA
As of Thursday 2nd April, the testing criteria for COVID-19 will be expanded significantly at all COVID-19 clinics. Any person presenting with BOTH a fever (= 38°C) AND an acute respiratory infection (e.g. shortness of breath, cough, sore throat) will be tested. These changes follow the advice given by the WA Chief Health Officer will help find new individual cases and if there is community transmission of COVID-19. WA Minister for Health Roger Cook said: 'The expanded testing regime in Western Australia will really help us to find new cases, protect our vulnerable populations and ensure we are tracking the movement of this virus as it develops.'
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WA: COVID-19 update
The WA Department of Health has reported 28 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the State's total to 392. Seventeen new cases are from the Perth metropolitan area, nine are from regional Western Australia and two are under investigation. Seven of the confirmed cases are travellers who have returned from overseas - three are from cruise ships, one from domestic travel, eight are close contacts of confirmed cases and nine are still under investigation. Of the nine new regional cases, six are from the Kimberley region and five of those are health workers - three in Broome, one in Kununurra and one in Halls Creek.
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31 March

Ensuring continued access to medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Government has approved a number of temporary changes to medicines regulation to ensure Australians can continue to access the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines they need, as the COVID-19 outbreak unfolds, said Minister Hunt. They are also closely monitoring the impact of the pandemic on the supply of medicines, especially those manufactured overseas, so they can take early action to address any potential supply interruptions. New temporary measures will improve access to medicines, reduce the burden on GPs and support social distancing and self-isolation.
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Australian Government partnership with private health sector secures 30,000 hospital beds and 105,000 nurses and staff, to help fight COVID-19 pandemic
The Government has partnered with the private hospital sector to ensure the full resources of the world class health system, are ready and focussed on treating patients as required, through the coronavirus pandemic, said Minister Hunt. The Government has guaranteed the viability and capacity of the private hospital sector, in an agreement that will ensure over 30,000 hospital beds, and the sector's 105,000 skilled workforce, is available alongside the public hospital sector, said Deputy Chief Medical Officer Nick Coatsworth. This will strengthen the Australian COVID-19 response, and preserve the sector's capacity to resume hospital services after the epidemic, said Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan.
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Expedited COVID-19 medical device application process
The Department of Health and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) are currently undertaking an expedited assessment process for all medical devices associated with the detection, prevention and treatment of COVID-19. They are committed to supporting suppliers with the Australian requirements and encourage potential suppliers to submit an application for inclusion on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). All applications in relation to COVID-19 are being expedited as a matter of priority (this is separate to the Priority Review pathway).
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COVID-19 test kits included on the ARTG for legal supply in Australia
The TGA approved the following tests (attached) for inclusion on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
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Refugee doctors eager to help fight pandemic
Dozens of refugee health professionals across the country stand ready to help out in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic should they be called on, said AMES Australia. In Victoria, almost 40 doctors, pharmacists and dentists, who are in the process of having their qualifications recognised and being given the green light to practice, have joined a register of interest to support the effort to slow the infection rate of COVID-19. The proposal comes as other countries caught up in the COVID-19 crisis are considering harnessing the skills of recently arrived refugee doctors.
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Public-private hospitals partnership agreement prioritises community need
The ground-breaking agreement for private hospitals to contribute to the health sector response to COVID-19 is welcome news, says Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) Chief Executive, Alison Verhoeven. 'Ensuring we make best use of every person and all resources available in the health system to support the strongest possible approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic is critical', said Ms Verhoeven. 'It's also vitally important that the stability of the health system is assured for the future-so we can't afford to allow the focus to shift only to emergency response. We have a long history of public and private health services working in partnership with each other.'
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ANMF Welcomes Government's Guarantee for Private Hospitals
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), has welcomed the Government's Private Hospital Viability and Capacity Guarantee which will ensure the viability of private hospitals and save the jobs of nurses, midwives and other health workers, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The Guarantee will see private and public hospitals work together on a coordinated Australian emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Government agreeing to fund 50/50 of generated activity with the states and territories and underwrite the gap between revenue received and private hospitals' fixed costs.
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Australia's private hospital capacity joins the COVID-19 fight
A new partnership with the Government will guarantee the viability of Australia's private hospital sector, ensuring its full capacity is available for the COVID-19 pandemic response. Minister for Health Greg Hunt announced that the Commonwealth would underwrite private hospitals to keep them open, clinicians employed and high quality private hospital care available to Australians. Australian Private Hospital Association (APHA) CEO Michael Roff welcomed the move, saying it gave the sector some certainty in challenging times. 'This is about private hospitals stepping up to the plate and doing whatever is required to help the country get through this pandemic.'
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Private hospitals doing the right thing to join the fight against COVID-19
The Consumers Health Forum (CHF) welcomes the agreement with governments that will assure the substantial personnel and resources of private hospitals play a big role in the fight against COVID-19. 'This is a powerful addition to the ranks that we need to defeat this virus,' the CEO of the Consumers Health Forum, Leanne Wells, said. 'It is also right and proper that the private hospitals which are such a central element of health care in Australia are part of a unified national effort. At a time when all hospitals are likely to be under extreme strain, the distinction between public and private patients should be put to one side.'
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Australia's coronavirus cases set to hit 5000 in coming days
COVID-19 cases projected to double every few days in Australia without sufficient physical distancing, biosecurity experts say. New modelling from experts at The Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Melbourne shows Australia's rate of COVID-19 infections is doubling about every seven days. 'The data now tells us cases are currently doubling about every seven days in Australia, and although the daily rate of growth in infected cases has now decreased to 10 per cent, the growth pattern is still exponential,' Professor Tom Kompas from the University of Melbourne said.
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Penalties for not taking up private health cover must be suspended
CHOICE is calling on the Government to suspend consumer penalties for not taking up private health insurance in light of the COVID- 19 crisis. The advocacy group says the Government should add an extra 365 days to the bank of permitted days without hospital cover, saving people who drop their private health insurance this year from being punished financially in the future. Lifetime Health Cover loading is a penalty that adds 2% to future premiums for every financial year you don't take out hospital cover, once you turn 31. The loading, which has an upper limit of 70%, only applies for ten years.
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Community Visitors volunteers must receive dementia-specific training
Dementia Australia calls on the Government to provide dementia-specific education to staff and volunteers as part of the announcement of $10 million to the Community Visitors Scheme. The funding, part of a $1.1 billion package to assist the devastating impacts of coronavirus (COVID- 19), will help to ensure that older Australians in aged care are not socially isolated despite visiting restrictions. Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said dementia-specific education is needed to support the extra staff and volunteer visitors who will potentially be interacting with the more than 70 per cent of people with dementia living in the community.
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PBS continued dispensing a win for all Australians
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA) has welcomed moves by the Government to ensure Australians have access to medications through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme during the COVID-19 crisis. The extension of PBS subsidy access for medicines supplied under emergency provisions follows the initial measure which was implemented during the bushfires in January and was due to expire on the 31st of March. The National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, George Tambassis, thanked Minister for Health Greg Hunt for acting to ensure all Australians have access to critical medicines when they might not have a prescription, or a when a prescriber is unavailable.
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RACGP issues new advice for people to get flu vaccinations earlier than usual
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has urged patients to get their influenza vaccination from their GP earlier than usual to reduce strain on the health system caused by COVID-19. RACGP President Dr Harry Nespolon said with COVID-19 spreading across Australia, this year it was more important than ever for people to get vaccinated as soon as possible. 'Protecting yourself and your family from the flu with a vaccination now will help reduce the strain on health resources from COVID-19. If people don't get vaccinated and an increasing number of flu patients and COVID-19 patients require urgent healthcare, lives will be put at risk.'
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Greens call for free flu vaccines for all Australians
Australian Greens health spokesperson Dr Richard Di Natale has written to the Federal Health Minister calling for the influenza vaccine to be made available free of charge to all Australians as part of the national response to the COVID- 19 pandemic. 'Ensuring everyone can access the flu vaccine for free is a clear step that will provide multiple benefits to the public and to our health system,' Dr Di Natale said. 'This is a time-critical decision. We have a narrow window of time in which to act, before flu season hits and while there is time to get the required vaccines into the country.'
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NSW: New powers for pharmacists dispensing medicine
Pharmacists now have extra powers enabling them to dispense medicines without a prescription and can now stay open 24/7, as the State fights COVID-19. NSW Minister for Health and Medical Research Brad Hazzard said a special authority has been granted to community pharmacists to assist people who can't access their GP. 'This new authority comes at a crucial time for NSW, when we are looking at keeping our entire medical ecosystem free of red tape,' Mr Hazzard said. 'It gives our trusted community pharmacists the ability to dispense when people are not able to contact their GP to arrange a prescription at a time when we want everyone to stay home as much as possible.'
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NT: COVID-19 Compliance activity
Enforcement activities will continue with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) joining Environmental Health Officers and Northern Territory Police to ensure Territorians are complying with self-isolation and self-quarantine arrangements, said the NT Department of the Chief Minister. Ten ADF members will be working alongside Environmental Health Officers and Police to ensure both overseas and interstate arrivals to the Territory are adhering to their 14 day self-quarantine period as explained and committed to upon arrival into the Territory. The public can be assured that fines will be issued to anyone not respecting the community and doing the right thing.
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NT: Territorians asked to evaluate hospital visits
Northern Territory Health is asking Territorians to reassess whether or not they need to attend Northern Territory hospitals. In line with the Australia-wide plan to minimise risk and protect the health of Territorians during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is requested Territorians attend hospital only if needed. NT Department of Health Chief Executive Catherine Stoddart said it was vital the wellbeing of the health staff, as well as the community, was maintained. 'It's important to remember if you do have an emergency, or need to access the hospital services, please do so,' she said.
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SA: COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line
Many South Australians are feeling overwhelmed by COVID-19 - but now a new support line is available to people to maintain their mental health and wellbeing. 'The State Government has a strong and clear plan to protect the health and wellbeing of South Australians during this pandemic,' said SA Premier Marshall. 'We understand this is a very anxious time for the people of South Australia, and hope that this new mental health support line will go some way in helping to lift some of the distress this pandemic has created. It comes as the Federal Government has also announced a $1.1 billion health package aimed at supporting people through these challenging times.'
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WA: Serious penalties for COVID-19 related assaults or threats to frontline workers
Urgent amendments to the Criminal Code specific to the COVID-19 pandemic will be introduced into State Parliament, said WA Attorney-General John Quigley. The amendments, which will cease to have effect 12 months after commencement, introduce tough penalties for individuals who assault or threaten frontline workers such as doctors and nurses, police officers, paramedics, fire and emergency service workers, and prison officers, in the context of COVID-19, said WA Minister for Police Michelle Roberts. Individuals could face up to 10 years' imprisonment if found guilty of assaulting a frontline worker in circumstances where they know they have COVID-19 or create a belief, suspicion or fear that they have COVID-19.
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WA: WA boosting health system capacity for COVID-19 critical care
The WA State Government has ordered more than $15 million worth of clinical equipment to boost the public health system's response to the COVID-19 crisis, said WA Minister for Health Roger Cook. On order, and arriving in batches, are:
- 301 ventilators;
- 201 humidifiers;
- 4,000 pulse oximeters; and
- 200 ICU beds.
The private hospital sector will add further capacity to the system. This equipment is being sourced from a range of global suppliers, and will arrive in batches - the first is due in Perth in the coming weeks. Also being ordered are 200 ICU beds with their associated equipment.
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30 March

Update on coronavirus measures
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that Australian governments met as the National Cabinet to take further action to slow the spread of coronavirus to save lives, and to save livelihoods. Australia will be living with this virus for at least six months, so social distancing measures to slow the spread of this virus must be sustainable for at least that long to protect Australian lives. The Government needs to ensure Australia keeps functioning, to keep Australians in jobs. The Chief Medical Officer Dr Brendan Murphy provided an update on the measures underway on the latest data and medical advice in relation to coronavirus. There are more than 4,200 confirmed cases in Australia and sadly 18 people have died.
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Increased flexibility for production of hand sanitiser to bolster supplies
Minister Hunt said that the Australian Government Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) cut the red tape on the manufacturing of hand sanitiser, whilst maintaining strict safety requirements, to bolster supply in Australia. Currently, there is high demand for hand sanitiser in Australia's health care system and hospital networks - particularly in rural and regional parts of the country. The TGA has introduced an urgent legislative instrument and guidance to make it easier for local businesses to manufacture hand sanitiser. This includes sanitisers for use in health care facilities - such as hospitals, aged care and other residential facilities - as well as for general consumer use.
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Humanitarian agreement - Joondalup Health Campus
The Australian Government, with the cooperation of the West Australian Government and the private Joondalup Health Campus, have concluded a humanitarian agreement to provide care for the 29 passengers from the Artania Cruise ship who have tested positive for COVID-19. Minister Hunt said, 'This humanitarian hospital care will be provided in one of the state's premier facilities, which is fully prepared for and is already treating COVID-19 patients.' 'We thank the outstanding staff and team at Joondalup Health Campus and the state government for their assistance in this humanitarian operation.'
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COVID-19 update: Advertising claims and hand sanitisers
The TGA said: 'This update is about the kind of advertising claims that can be made in relation to hand sanitisers and COVID-19. If you are concerned about advertising claims for a hand sanitiser product, you can provide information to us through the online advertising complaint form. They remind consumers to follow the Department of Health's good hygiene protocols on slowing down the spread of COVID-19. The Department of Health recommends using soap and water wherever possible. More information about hand sanitisers provided by the TGA is available on the Hand sanitisers and COVID-19 web page.'
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TAS: Coronavirus update 28 March 2020
The Tasmanian Department of Health said that the investigation into the coronavirus case of a healthcare worker employed at the Mersey Community Hospital has determined that the person in question spent no more than 30 minutes at work while they were infectious before a decision was made that they go home due to feeling unwell. The investigation into how the healthcare worker contracted the infection is ongoing. A small number of people on the same shift have been identified as close contacts and are in quarantine and monitored by Public Health Services. The healthcare worker did not have close contact with any patients while they were infectious.
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29 March

COVID-19: Whole of population telehealth for patients, general practice, primary care and other medical specialists
Minister Hunt said that to provide continued access to essential primary health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Government is expanding Medicare-subsidised telehealth services for all Australians and providing extra incentives to general practitioners and other health practitioners. Services will include GP services and some consultation services provided by other medical specialists, nurse practitioners, mental health treatment, chronic disease management, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments, services to people with eating disorders, pregnancy support counselling, services to patients in aged care facilities, children with autism, and after-hours consultations.
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QLD: Queensland planning for temporary emergency hospitals for Covid-19 victims
Queensland Premier Palaszczuk confirmed the Department of Health is proactively exploring options for setting up plans for temporary hospitals state-wide in vacant hotels, convention centres and possibly mining camps to treat Covid-19 patients if there is an overflow from hospitals. In Brisbane, the RNA Convention Centre could quickly be transformed to take Covid-19 patients and it would be a case of history repeating - the RNA showground was used as a treatment centre for patients during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic. Some hotels, particularly near Queensland's major hospitals throughout the state have also been approached about providing bed space.
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NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
The NSW Department of Health said: 'There are 160 COVID-19 cases being treated in NSW; including 24 cases in Intensive Care Units and, of those, 12 require ventilators at this stage. These figures reveal that testing for COVID-19 is occurring at a significant rate across the state and they urge everyone to follow NSW Health advice about social distancing, personal hygiene and staying at home wherever possible. Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network is taking appropriate health and safety measures after a staff member at Long Bay Hospital was diagnosed with COVID-19. Contact tracing is being undertaken with staff and patients, and those identified as close contacts are being placed in isolation and will undergo testing.'
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28 March

COVID-19 diagnostic tests included on the ARTG for legal supply in Australia
The TGA has approved the following tests (attached) for inclusion on the Australian Register of Therapeutic
Goods (ARTG).
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27 March

Update on Coronavirus measures
Prime Minister Morrison said: 'Australian governments met today as the National Cabinet to take further action to slow the spread of coronavirus to save lives, and to save livelihoods. We will be living with this virus for at least six months, so social distancing measures to slow this virus down must be sustainable for at least that long to protect Australian lives, to help Australia to keep functioning and to keep Australians in jobs. We will continue to look at further measures as and where necessary to protect Australians. Any further measures to restrict activity may need to be flexible and calibrated to the extent of outbreaks by jurisdiction and the impact on the wellbeing of Australians and economics activity.'
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Aged care activities pause due to COVID-19
With considerable resources from the Aged Care sector and Government now required in the campaign to keep Senior Australians safe during the COVID-19 outbreak - several long term measures will be put on hold for at least six months. The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) assessment trial, the 2020 Aged Care Approval Round and the implementation of the home care payment alignment project will all be postponed as the Government deals with an unprecedented health emergency. But Minister Colbeck said the support for loved ones would remain a priority.
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The health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People must be a priority in Covid-19 response
Australian Medical Association (AMA) called for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be a top priority in national measures to control COVID-19. AMA President, Dr Tony Bartone, said that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a higher susceptibility to COVID-19 due to higher rates of underlying chronic diseases, overcrowded living conditions, lack of food security, inadequate income, and other social determinants of health, such as water. 'The AMA supports the Government's significant funding to help combat COVID-19,'Dr Bartone said. 'This includes around $50 million for telehealth services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and increased capacity for remote communities to prevent outbreaks through screening fly-in and fly-out workers, supporting the evacuation of early cases, and mobile respiratory clinics.'
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RACP rejects idea of moving to exclude COVID-19 from death cover
The RACP said it is shocked by reports that one insurer was moving to exclude COVID-19 from their new life insurance policies. Professor John Wilson, President-elect of the RACP and Respiratory Physician said, 'If true, this news today is unnecessarily distressing. Healthcare workers must be able to treat patients during this pandemic without having to worry that their life insurance will be compromised, should they catch COVID-19 and not survive. We call on all insurers to do the right thing in this pandemic. Should the practice of limiting cover because of COVID-19 be true, we will be seeking Federal Government intervention.'
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COVID-19 testing in Australia - information for health professionals
The TGA said that tests for COVID-19 aim to detect the causative virus, SARS-CoV-2, or an immune response to SARS-CoV-2. The reliability of COVID-19 tests is uncertain due to the limited evidence base. Available evidence mainly comes from symptomatic patients, and their clinical role in detecting asymptomatic carriers is unclear. The indications for conducting a COVID-19 test have changed through the course of the pandemic. See the current suspect case definition and the testing criteria on the Department of Health website. The two main types of SARS-CoV-2 tests are:
- Nucleic acid detection tests - using 'PCR to detect SARS-CoV viral (Ribonucleic acid) RNA' and
- Serology tests 'to detect IgM and/or IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2
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Appropriate use of disinfectants: Information for consumers, health professionals and healthcare facilities
The TGA identified disinfectants as being critical in preventing the spread of COVID-19. To help ensure the disinfectant is effective, it is important that consumers, health professionals and other users of disinfectants are aware of how to use them properly. The TGA encourages health professionals and healthcare facilities to:
- check the label on the disinfectant to ensure you are using an appropriate product for your purpose
- keep in mind that hospital grade disinfectants with claims against viruses, and products intended to be used to clean or disinfect medical devices, should be listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
- follow the instructions on the label of the disinfectant.
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Friday 3 April 2020

Major Announcements

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

2 April

1 April

31 March

30 March

29 March

28 March

27 March

Aged Care

2 April

31 March

30 March

27 March

Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

Allied Health

Children's Health

Clinical Governance

Construction and Health Infrastructure

Dental

1 April

30 March

Disabilities

31 March

Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

E-Health

28 March

Education and Training

Funding

1 April

Health Professionals

2 April

1 April

31 March

30 March

29 March

27 March

Hospitals

2 April

1 April

31 March

29 March

Insurance

2 April

31 March

30 March

27 March

Medicare

27 March

Men's Health

Mental Health

31 March

30 March

27 March

Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System

Pharmaceuticals

2 April

1 April

31 March

27 March

Research

2 April

1 April

30 March

27 March

Rural, Regional and Remote Health

1 April

30 March

Women's Health

2 April

31 March

Transcripts

Reports

Hansards

Western Australia

Court Cases

New Regulations

Federal

Australian Capital Territory