banner

Friday 25 March 2022

 

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)

24 March

Partnership secures Australian-made mRNA vaccines
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt, Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham and Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor have announced that the Government has finalised an agreement with global pharmaceutical company Moderna that secures the production of up to 100 million Australian made mRNA doses every year and hundreds of manufacturing jobs too. The landmark agreement is part of a 10-year strategic partnership between the Federal Government, Moderna and the Victorian Government, which will help protect Australians against future pandemics while supporting local industry. The strategic partnership will ensure Australia can meet its ongoing COVID-19 vaccine needs, and any other new and innovative respiratory mRNA vaccines.
Download

Leaked TRIPS proposal misguided about improving global COVID-19 vaccination rates
The leaked proposal on the waiver on intellectual property (IP) rights for COVID-19 vaccines is misguided and will not speed up access for world vaccination against the virus. Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer, said the TRIPS proposal is unnecessary and irrelevant and will only weaken our IP systems. 'The TRIPS waiver is a distraction from taking action on issues that will actually help more people around the world to receive the COVID-19 vaccine,' Ms de Somer said. 'It has now been two years since the start of the pandemic and the issues of vaccine inequity could not be clearer.'
Download

Billion-dollar mRNA vaccine manufacturing deal secured with Moderna
InnovationAus has announced that a multi-billion-dollar deal between the Commonwealth, Victorian government and Moderna has been inked, with an mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility to be up and running by 2024. After signing an in-principle agreement with Moderna in mid-December, Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday morning announced there had now been a final agreement, with construction on the facility to begin by the end of the year. The agreement will run for the next 10 years and is a 'multi-billion-dollar deal'. But the federal government will be keeping the exact value of its contribution to the manufacturing facility secret due to a commercial-in-confidence clause.
Download

TAS: Coronavirus update
Tasmania has recorded 2,009 new cases with 1,806 people recovered and released from isolation in that time. The total number of active cases currently stands at 10,247 and the total number of people who have recovered is now 65,071. There are 28 people in hospital with COVID and of these, nine are being treated specifically for COVID. 'Sadly, I can confirm that a woman in her 90s, who was in a residential aged care facility in the State's north, died. I would like to pass on my sincerest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the woman who has sadly passed away,' said Tasmanian Minister for Health Jeremy Rockliff.
Download

23 March

ACCC authorises coordinated health provider response to COVID in South Australia
The Australian Competition and Consumers Commission (ACCC) has issued a final determination granting authorisation to the South Australian Department for Health and Wellbeing (the Department) to permit them to coordinate with various health service providers, in order to maximise the effectiveness of their response to the continued COVID-19 pandemic. The Department sought authorisation to allow coordination between itself (including public hospitals and other public healthcare facilities) and various participating healthcare providers, with a view to having those providers supplying resources and services to the overall response to issues arising from COVID-19.
Download

COVID-19 restrictions led to fewer sports injury hospitalisations
A new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has revealed there were 7,800 fewer Australians admitted to hospital for injuries sustained while playing sport in 2019-20 compared with the previous year. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data shows hip and leg injuries accounted for 28% of sport-related hospitalisations in 2019-20. The report, Sports injury hospitalisations in Australia, 2019-20, shows the COVID-19 restrictions on organised sport from March 2020 resulted in fewer hospitalisations for winter sports, such as football, while those for solo activities such as cycling rose.
Download

NSW: COVID-19 reforms promise $2.4 billion in economic benefits
A raft of temporary regulatory measures introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have now been made permanent, in a move that will provide $2.4 billion of net economic benefits. NSW Acting Premier Paul Toole said it was critical to make permanent these changes as we emerge from a tough couple of years. NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said when the pandemic struck it was clear that a business-as-usual approach from Government would not be enough to help people continue to run businesses, do their jobs, and access critical goods and services efficiently. NSW Minister for Planning Anthony Roberts said the NSW Productivity Commission's White Paper recommended retaining COVID-19 changes if they deliver net benefits.
Download

22 March

NSW: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics
The NSW Department of Health has released new COVID-19 statistics. Across NSW, more than 95 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 94.5 per cent have received two doses to Sunday 20 March 2022.
- Of children aged 12 to 15, 83.5 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 79.2 per cent have received two doses.
- Of children aged 5 to 11, 48.9 per cent have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 17.2 per cent have received two doses.
- Of people aged 16 plus, 58.4 per cent have now received a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This represents 62.3 per cent of the eligible population that received their second dose more than three months ago.
Download

NT: NT COVID-19 update
The NT Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet is reporting the death of a male in his 60s with COVID-19. The man, who was from Greater Darwin, had underlying health conditions, and passed away at Royal Darwin Hospital. The total number of COVID-19 related deaths recorded in the NT since the start of the pandemic is 32. There were 341 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the NT in the 24 hours to 8pm on 21 March 2022. Of these, 325 were positive cases from a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). There were 272 cases recorded in the Top End region, 15 in Central Australia, six in East Arnhem, seven in the Big Rivers region, four in the Barkly and 37 are under investigation. There are currently 14 patients in hospital, with one patient requiring oxygen. There is one patient in ICU.
Download

WA: COVID-19 update
WA Health is reporting a total of 7,075 new cases. There are currently 38,742 active cases in Western Australia. There were 180 people with COVID19 in hospital, six in ICU. Sadly, one woman in her 80's who tested positive to COVID19 has passed away on Sunday, but was reported to WA Health . Due to patient confidentiality, no further information will be released by the Department on these deaths.
Total case breakdown
Region; Active;
Metropolitan; 32,958; (5,881)
Goldfields; 562; (113)
Great Southern; 546; (144)
Kimberley; 407; (96)
Midwest; 442; (118)
Pilbara; 813; (145)
South West; 1,014; (219)
Wheatbelt; 474; (102)
Download

21 March

RACGP urges government campaign on COVID-19 boosters
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has urged the federal government to launch a public campaign encouraging eligible people to receive their COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. It comes following reports of complacency creeping into the booster rollout with not enough people receiving their third dose despite being eligible. As of 13 March 2022, only 65.6% of eligible people have received a third COVID-19 vaccine dose. That number is significantly lower in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities where only 49.4% of eligible people have received a third dose.
Download

SA: COVID-19 Update
From the SA Department of Health: There have been 3,121 new cases of COVID-19 reported in South Australia . There are currently 25,464 active cases in South Australia. There are 150 people with COVID-19 in hospital, including nine people in ICU, and two people requiring a ventilator. Of those hospitalised, 97 people are fully vaccinated, 50 people are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, and three have an unknown vaccination status. Due to a reconfiguration of the data, the total number of cases has been readjusted. Total case breakdown:
- 3,121 new cases
- 25,464 current active cases
- 209,490 total cases
- 234 deaths
Download

20 March

WA: Ground-breaking WA rapid COVID-19 screening system to help protect remote and FIFO communities
"An innovative and industry leading, Western Australian designed, COVID-19 screening system has been approved for use in a large-scale trial to help detect COVID-19 in the State's fly-in fly-out workforce and protect remote communities," said WA Minister for Medical Research and Innovation and ICT Stephen Dawson. Approval has been granted for medical technology company Avicena to undertake regular screening of workers and contractors in the resources industry under the Sentinel Surveillance DETECT study, in collaboration with Curtin University. Sentinel was developed in WA and was a recipient in 2020 of a $500,000 grant from the Government to assist in the development of the prototype.
Download

Return to top

Aged Care

22 March

Plan for your future health during National Advance Care Planning Week
National Advance Care Planning week, 21 to 27 March 22, an initiative of Advance Care Planning Australia, is a reminder for Australians to talk to their loved ones about who they would want to speak for them if they become too sick to speak for themselves. Advance Care Planning Australia ambassador and Australian Medical Association (AMA) Vice President Dr Chris Moy said while advance care planning conversations might be confronting, they are important. 'Advance care planning is a process of planning for your future health and personal care by ensuring your values.' Dr Moy said.
Download

Return to top

Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

None this edition.

Return to top

Allied Health

None this edition.

Return to top

Children's Health

None this edition.

Return to top

Clinical Governance

24 March

Private cancer physicians of Australia and rare cancers Australia call for a cancer care patient safety net
A cancer diagnosis should not force any Australian to live under the poverty line. The nation's peak body of cancer specialists and the leading patient advocacy group have collaborated over a suite of measures, aimed at better protecting Australia's most vulnerable patients from financial duress. At the heart of the 'Cancer Care, No Gaps' proposal by the Private Cancer Physicians of Australia and Rare Cancers Australia is a Cancer Care Patient Safety Net which is triggered the moment a clear diagnosis of cancer is made.
Download

23 March

National Medicines Policy consultation period extended
'Following extensive consultation with stakeholders, the Morrison Government will extend the consultation period for the updated National Medicines Policy (NMP),' said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt. The review, which has been underway since August 2021, has already undertaken significant stakeholder feedback and a number of submissions as part of the most recent consultations. To ensure a continued collaborative process, the Government has agreed to extend the finalisation of the revised NMP until after the Federal election. The NMP is a well-established and endorsed framework, built on a broad partnership between the Commonwealth, States and Territories, health educators, health practitioners, and other healthcare providers and suppliers, the medicines industry and consumers.
Download

ANZSPM support for Palliative Care Australia's pre-budget submission
The Australia New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine (ANZSPM) Workforce Strategy Advisory Committee has found that there is a lack of reliable data on the number of palliative medicine specialists in Australia, the number being trained in palliative medicine, the number of general practitioners and other specialists who maintain an active interest in delivering palliative medicine services, and the locations, backgrounds, longevity of service and settings (including whether they are working in the public or private health system, and whether they are delivering services in aged care and the community).
Download

20 March

Continued funding to tackle scourge of methamphetamines
As part of our plan for a stronger future, the Government will extend the National Ice Action Strategy (NIAS), investing more than $315 million over four years in the ongoing fight to reduce the impact of ice, other drugs and alcohol. This investment is alongside an additional $27.9 million being committed to support other critical drug and alcohol treatment projects in areas of identified need. With the announcement, the Government will invest around $830 million in alcohol and other drug treatment services and programs over the next four years, said Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt.
Download

Return to top

Construction and Health Infrastructure

None this edition.

Return to top

Dental

21 March

No Medicare dental services is cruel and costly
Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, will join Chigwell resident Jane Bridges to call on the Federal Government and ALP to pledge to include basic dental services in Medicare as a policy heading into the election. 'Medicare currently does not cover the dental services people need for healthy teeth and it's way beyond time this is fixed,' Mr Wilkie said. 'Constituents, such as Jane, regularly raise dental concerns with me and it's obvious that people are being denied the opportunity to look after their teeth due to financial concerns and the massive public waiting lists."
Download

Return to top

Disabilities

23 March

Transport for all coalition calls for universal access on Victoria's public transport
The Transport for All Coalition statewide campaigners are holding simultaneous actions across metro and regional Victoria to demonstrate how inaccessible our public transport system is, and to demand the Victorian government delivers on its promise to provide absolutely everyone with a fully accessible public transport system. From Warrnambool to Clifton Hill, community members will gather at key transport hot spots to highlight the ongoing failure of the Victorian government to ensure public transport infrastructure is 100% accessible. Access to public transport not only requires better infrastructure but also a fully staffed, properly trained and supportive system.
Download

22 March

PWDA Calls For 2022 Budget Measures That Improve Health And Safety Of People With Disability Australia's peak disability advocacy organisation is calling on the Federal Government to provide additional funding in next week's budget to give people with disability more support during emergencies, better support via the NDIS, and increased support from disability advocacy services. People with Disability Australia President Samantha Connor: 'With a federal election just around the corner, the upcoming federal budget - due to be released on March 29 - will set much of the election agenda.
Download

21 March

New targeted campaign and support to help people with disability land jobs
A national employment campaign will be rolled out to engage more than 100,000 people with disability and some of Australia's biggest businesses will hire job seekers with disability across their organisations as part of an additional initiative to provide greater career opportunities. As part of our plan for a stronger future, Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the Government would invest $6 million to fund a national advertising program for The Field, an online job platform that is being designed to directly connect people with disability with potential employers.
Download

20 March

VIC: Boosting job opportunities for Victorians with disability
The Victorian Government is supporting people with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities to skill-up and secure paid employment. Victorian Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Anthony Carbines announced an investment of $2.1 million in the Inclusion Foundation's Impact21 program, as fourteen young adults graduated from the program ahead of World Down Syndrome Day on Monday. Ten of the 12 graduates from the program's first group have now found sustainable employment. The program is building work-ready graduates with industry-relevant skills, confidence, independence and social connections with employer partners including PwC, JB Hi-Fi and Sodexo.
Download

18 March

AMA welcomes prostheses reforms but more action needed to ensure private health system sustainability
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) welcomes the further details of reforms to the Prostheses List for medical devices as a step in the right direction, however, more needs to be done to improve the affordability of private health insurance. AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid said anticipated savings of $900m delivered by a more efficient prostheses pricing structure must be fully passed on to consumers by health insurers but will only make a modest difference to health insurance premiums.
Download

Return to top

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

None this edition.

Return to top

E-Health

None this edition.

Return to top

Education and Training

23 March

Government invests $4.2 million to get specialists in the bush
The Government is investing more than $4 million across country Australia to increase access to specialists for patients and encourage more specialists to undertake their training in regional, rural and remote areas. Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said the funding will be shared across eight projects that will support more specialists to undertake rural and regional placements and training. Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie said the investment through the Government's Flexible Approach to Training in Expanded Settings (FATES) program will support trainee specialists in locations with shortages of specialists.
Download

$708.6 million to continue specialist medical training across Australia
To help get more local doctors trained in the specialties Australia needs, Minister Hunt said the Government is providing $708.6 million to continue the Specialist Training Program (STP) for four years from 2022. Since 2010, more than $1.4 billion has been invested towards the program, which supports training positions outside of traditional metropolitan teaching hospitals. Minister Gillespie said the program allows participants to train in a multitude of medical environments, including private hospitals, specialist rooms, clinics and day surgeries, Aboriginal Medical Services and non-clinical settings.
Download

22 March

New training program offers aged care workforce boost for Tasmania
A multidisciplinary teaching hub at a Tasmanian aged care facility will secure greater opportunities for health students and better access to services for older Tasmanians across the region. The Government will invest $1.5 million through the University of Tasmania (UTAS) to establish the training centre at Corumbene Care at New Norfolk. In New Norfolk to announce the funding, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, with Minister Gillespie said the investment underlines the Government's commitment to older and vulnerable Australians across regional Australia.
Download

Return to top

Funding

24 March

Meet the new community partners
Exciting new community grants will help raise awareness about organ and tissue donation in Australia and encourage more Australians to take the easy step to sign up on the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR). Minister responsible for the Organ and Tissue Authority, Dr David Gillespie, announced more than $500,000 for 10 community organisations awarded funding through OTA's Community Awareness Grants program for 2022. Increasing awareness about organ and tissue donation, and encouraging families to talk about donation and registration, is vital to getting more people to say 'yes' to donation. Support from our partners across the country helps to share about the importance of organ donation and how easy it is for people to register.
Download

$450m needed to fight deadly disease resurgent 5km from Australia's front door: World TB Day
The Australian Government needs to commit $450 million to fighting tuberculosis, say Results International (Australia) and Pacific Friends of Global Health, as the global death toll rises for the first time in a decade while COVID-battered regional health systems struggle to respond to the growing threat. 'Before COVID-19, TB was the deadliest infectious disease in the world, and will likely reclaim that title again,' said Negaya Chorley, chief executive of aid group Results International (Australia). 'In 2020, TB killed 1.5 million people up from 1.4 million in 2019, the first time we've seen deaths rise in a decade.'
Download

ACT: More health funding to support Canberrans now and into the future
'The ACT Government will continue to fund the public health system our growing city needs, with further health investments to help deliver the Critical Services Building (CSB) at the Canberra Hospital and more funding for our COVID-19 health response to be included in the upcoming Budget Review,' said ACT Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith and ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr This year's Budget Review will support our city's economic recovery from COVID-19 lockdowns - protecting and creating good local jobs as we continue to respond to the global pandemic.
Download

23 March

Health Funding Facts update
The Australian Government announced a record $503 billion investment in our universal health system in the 2021-22 Budget. The Department of Health updated the Health Funding Facts tool to use the latest figures. Find out more about our key investment areas. The Australian Government is improving health outcomes for all Australians, now and into the future. This will be achieved by investing in better coordinated and joined-up care in the community and ensuring that Australia's health system is sustainable into the future.
Download

21 March

New Australian agency to accelerate genomic research and drive innovation in healthcare
Genomics advances will help develop revolutionary treatments for some of our biggest health challenges, including diagnosing and understanding rare and inherited diseases. The Federal Government will invest $28.1 million into a new agency for the Health Portfolio, Genomics Australia, from 1 January 2024. Genomic technologies have been around for decades and have rapidly evolved since its discovery said Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer. In recent times, scientists are using genome sequencing to track mutations in the SARS-CoV2 virus, which causes COVID-19.
Download

20 March

Continued funding to tackle scourge of methamphetamines
As part of our plan for a stronger future, the Government will extend the National Ice Action Strategy (NIAS), investing more than $315 million over four years in the ongoing fight to reduce the impact of ice, other drugs and alcohol. This investment is alongside an additional $27.9 million being committed to support other critical drug and alcohol treatment projects in areas of identified need. With the announcement, the Government will invest around $830 million in alcohol and other drug treatment services and programs over the next four years, said Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt.
Download

Genomics Australia to guide the future of genomic health and medicine over the coming decade
Through our 10-year Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) plan, the Government is committed to helping Australians live longer and better lives by ensuring that our health system can embrace and benefit from one of the most promising emerging medical disciplines - genomics. To further this agenda, our Government is investing $28.1 million to establish a new agency, Genomics Australia, to support the integration of genomic medicine as a standard of healthcare in Australia. Genomic health technologies have the potential to reshape clinical practice and change the way we prevent, diagnose, treat and monitor illness throughout each person's life, said Minister Hunt.
Download

Return to top

Health Professionals

24 March

Unqualified medical intern at Bankstown hospital appeals sentence
'A Sydney woman who worked as a medical intern at a Sydney hospital despite not being qualified or registered to practise has appealed her sentence,' said the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Ms Zhi Sin Lee pleaded guilty in November 2021 to falsely claiming to be qualified to practise as a health practitioner following a charge laid by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). In January 2022, she was convicted in the Local Court of New South Wales and sentenced to two years' imprisonment to be served by Intensive Corrections Order in the community and a fine of $10,000. Ms Lee appealed her sentence to the Sydney District Court of NSW claiming it was too severe.
Download

23 March

Government invests $4.2 million to get specialists in the bush
The Government is investing more than $4 million across country Australia to increase access to specialists for patients and encourage more specialists to undertake their training in regional, rural and remote areas. Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said the funding will be shared across eight projects that will support more specialists to undertake rural and regional placements and training. Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie said the investment through the Government's Flexible Approach to Training in Expanded Settings (FATES) program will support trainee specialists in locations with shortages of specialists.
Download

$708.6 million to continue specialist medical training across Australia
To help get more local doctors trained in the specialties Australia needs, Minister Hunt said the Government is providing $708.6 million to continue the Specialist Training Program (STP) for four years from 2022. Since 2010, more than $1.4 billion has been invested towards the program, which supports training positions outside of traditional metropolitan teaching hospitals. Minister Gillespie said the program allows participants to train in a multitude of medical environments, including private hospitals, specialist rooms, clinics and day surgeries, Aboriginal Medical Services and non-clinical settings.
Download

22 March

New training program offers aged care workforce boost for Tasmania
A multidisciplinary teaching hub at a Tasmanian aged care facility will secure greater opportunities for health students and better access to services for older Tasmanians across the region. In New Norfolk, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck said the investment underlines the Government's commitment to older and vulnerable Australians across regional Australia. Minister for Regional Health, Dr David Gillespie said though the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program, the Government is investing $48.3 million to increase rural health training opportunities to deliver health, aged care, and disability services.
Download

21 March

TAS: Making the health care system more efficient with a new Bedside Medication Management approach
"Under the current processes for medication management on hospital wards, nursing and midwifery staff are responsible for ordering, transporting, and counting medications. Going forward, the adoption of the Bedside Medication Management approach will see each ward allocated a pharmacy technician who will take on these medication management responsibilities," said Tasmanian Minister for Health Jeremy Rockcliff. "This will reduce the need for nurses and midwives to undertake administrative tasks associated with medications and allow our highly qualified nurses and midwives to spend more time with patients, and less time looking for medications."
Download

18 March

Two new university departments of rural health for WA
More nurses and allied health workers will be trained in WA's South West and Goldfields regions as part of a $36 million push from the Government to boost local health workforces through new University Departments of Rural Health (UDRH). Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new additions would encourage more graduating health professionals to practice in the South West and Goldfields regions. Member for Forrest Nola Marino and Member for O'Connor Rick Wilson welcomed the two new UDRHs. A former regional doctor, Minister for Regional Health Dr David Gillespie said the RHMT program was a key part of the Government's commitment to addressing health workforce shortages outside the cities.
Download

Return to top

Hospitals

22 March

TAS: Royal Hobart Hospital upgrades get the green light
'The Tasmanian Government is making exciting progress to deliver $200 million in
critical upgrades to the Royal Hobart Hospital, with two important Stage 2 Redevelopment projects being given the green light to begin construction,' said Tasmanian Minister for Health Jeremy Rockliff. 'As part of the Government's plan to deliver upgraded health facilities to meet the needs of Tasmanians now and into the future, redevelopment of the lower ground of H-Block will soon begin, as the first stage of a significant expansion of the Emergency Department (ED) to help meet growing demand.'
Download

21 March

WA: Short-stay elective surgeries to resume at private hospitals
"Private hospitals will resume day surgeries and surgery requiring a single night stay from Wednesday March 23, 2022 after WA Health reviewed the pause on performing certain surgeries to assist with the COVID-19 response," announced WA Minister for Health Amber-Jade Sanderson. The Chief Health Officer has determined that day and single night stay Category 3 and non- urgent Category 2 surgeries can restart at private hospitals, as Western Australia's world- leading vaccination rates keep hospitalisations down. Surge capacity remains in private hospitals to be rapidly deployed if required. These arrangements have been agreed with and supported by the private hospital chief executives.
Download

20 March

New intensive care beds open at Canberra Hospital
The Canberra Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) now has an additional eight beds, following completion of a $13.5 million expansion. These extra beds, which bring the total number of physical beds in Canberra Hospital's ICU to 39, will help ensure patients can continue to receive lifesaving care, including ventilation and high-level health services following trauma or complex surgery. Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja said the Commonwealth Government funded expansion will provide additional care places for the sickest and most critical patients in need of high-level care across our region. ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said with a growing and ageing population in the ACT and Southern NSW, preparing for increased demand for ICU-level care is crucial.
Download

Return to top

Insurance

21 March

PHI 16/22 Private Health Insurance (Prostheses) Amendment Rules (No. 1) 2022
This circular from the Department of Health provides information for stakeholders about an amendment to the March 2022 Prostheses List. The delegate of the Minister for Health and Aged Care has made the Private Health Insurance (Prostheses) Amendment Rules (No. 1) 2022 (the Amendment Rules) to amend the Private Health Insurance (Prostheses) Rules (No. 1) 2022. The Amendment Rules give effect to the removal of the billing code MI485 for the SigniaTM Small Diameter Reload from Part A of the Prostheses List. This billing code was entered on the March 2022 Prostheses List as a result of an administrative error.
Download

18 March

AMA welcomes prostheses reforms but more action needed to ensure private health system sustainability
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) welcomes the further details of reforms to the Prostheses List for medical devices as a step in the right direction, however, more needs to be done to improve the affordability of private health insurance. AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid said anticipated savings of $900m delivered by a more efficient prostheses pricing structure must be fully passed on to consumers by health insurers but will only make a modest difference to health insurance premiums.
Download

Transforming healthcare payments for patients and providers
Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) is seeking to improve patient and provider experiences through an innovative healthcare solution - CommBank Smart Health. Available on CBA's new smart terminals, Smart Health has all major Australian private health insurers enabled to allow for an improved payments and claim experience. CBHS is a member owned not for profit health fund which is offering mobile phone pay and claim function powered by Smart Health.
Download

CHOICE warns people to check with their funds before pre-paying their health insurance
CHOICE is urging Australians to check in with their health funds before pre-paying their insurance, with more than 80% of funds delaying premium increases this year. 'Pre-paying your health insurance by 31 March is usually a smart way to lock in a lower price, but this year is different. Over 80% of funds are delaying their premium increases due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which means that most people don't need to pre-pay their premium now,' said CHOICE Insurance Expert Jodi Bird.
Download

Return to top

Medicare

21 March

No Medicare dental services is cruel and costly
Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, will join Chigwell resident Jane Bridges to call on the Federal Government and ALP to pledge to include basic dental services in Medicare as a policy heading into the election. 'Medicare currently does not cover the dental services people need for healthy teeth and it's way beyond time this is fixed,' Mr Wilkie said. 'Constituents, such as Jane, regularly raise dental concerns with me and it's obvious that people are being denied the opportunity to look after their teeth due to financial concerns and the massive public waiting lists."
Download

Return to top

Men's Health

None this edition.

Return to top

Mental Health

24 March

$206.5 Million to support the mental health of young Australians
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt and Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman have announced that the Government is continuing its support for young people with severe and complex mental illness with an investment of $206.5 million ensuring that they have access to additional treatment services and support. The funding will continue and expand the Early Psychosis Youth Services (EPYS) and builds on the $160.8 million already invested in Youth Enhanced Services (YES), which support young people experiencing severe and complex mental illness.
Download

$4 million boost for suicide prevention research
The Government is extending the National Suicide Prevention Research Fund with an additional $4 million over two years, as part of the commitment to increase Australia's world leading research into suicide prevention and treatment. Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said suicide has a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities. Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said that ongoing research is helping ensure the delivery of the most effective evidence-based programs and services in suicide prevention, such as those funded through the landmark $2.3 billion Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan announced in the 2021-22 Budget.
Download

23 March

VIC: New regional chairs to guide mental health reform
The Government has appointed expert community leaders to head up new interim regional bodies, that will provide grass-roots advice on critical mental health and wellbeing priorities across Victoria. Victorian Minister for Mental Health James Merlino announced the Chairs of the eight Mental Health and Wellbeing Interim Regional Bodies, which have been established in response to a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System. The Interim Regional Bodies will guide and advise the Government on the unique needs of their local community and how to deliver the Royal Commission's long-term vision for regional governance and better services for Victorians who need support, in their own communities.
Download

22 March

VIC: More workers only road to restore declining mental health of young Victorians
22 MAR: A new survey detailing the declining mental health of young people after the pandemic has further highlighted the urgent need to rejuvenate Victoria’s fatigued mental health workforce. The survey, conducted in February by research company Resolve Strategic, found a quarter of young Australians thought about suicide in the past two years. The highest number of reports of anxiety and depression were recorded in young adults aged 16 to 24. Victorian Shadow Minister for Mental Health Emma Kealy has called for a targeted recruitment drive to boost Victoria’s mental health workforce after years of under-resourcing by the Government.
Download

21 March

$43 million to expand mental health services across the Territory
21 MAR: More than $43 million will be invested into mental health and suicide prevention support and services across the Northern Territory over the next five years, following the signing of a bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and Northern Territory governments. Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the agreement will ensure Territorians will have access to additional mental health support. Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said a key focus of the bilateral agreement would be reducing the heartbreaking suicide rate in Indigenous communities. Northern Territory Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles, said the funding would create much needed support.
Download

Return to top

Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System

None this edition.

Return to top

Pharmaceuticals and Regulation

24 March

Government opts for additional consultation on National Medicines Policy (NMP) Review
The Government has heeded the calls from Medicines Australia, patient groups, health bodies, and industry by extending the finalisation of the National Medicines Policy (NMP) Review until after the Federal election to allow further and more detailed consultation with stakeholders. Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer, said the deferral decision by Health Minister Greg Hunt follows weeks of advocacy and direct discussions with the Minister and his office. 'We congratulate Minister Hunt for continuing his long-held practice of listening to stakeholders and having the courage to make bold decisions that are in the best interests of good health policy and the health of Australian patients,' Ms de Somer said.
Download

One in six skip medicines as cost of living and healthcare budget takes shape
More than one in six voters say they or their families have been unable to purchase medicines due to cost. This is a two-point jump since January, when the price of medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) went up again. The number of people finding prescription medicines difficult to afford has also risen to 27 per cent, up three points since January. The National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Professor Trent Twomey, said that health and cost of living are now the top two issues for voters at the upcoming election.
Download

20 March

Urgent change of course needed on pharmacy scope of practice pilot and inquiry launched into UTI pilot
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has urgently warned the Queensland Government to abandon the planned North Queensland Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot in a retail setting due to concerns that it will fragment care and lead to poorer patient health outcomes. It comes following harrowing details emerging of the Urinary Tract Infection Pharmacy Pilot - Queensland, which has seen pharmacists allowed to prescribe antibiotics for UTIs. The RACGP and other medical bodies have resigned from the scope of practice pilot steering committee amidst serious concerns regarding patient safety.
Download

Return to top

Research

24 March

$32M for groundbreaking projects combining industry and research
Projects to develop an mRNA vaccine for bacterial infections and a device to treat heart failure are among 13 industry-led joint research projects sharing in more than $32 million in funding from the Government. The successful projects under round 12 of the Cooperative Research Centre Projects (CRC-P) initiative will enable Australian industry and research organisations to take their innovative technologies to the next level. They will help create mRNA-based therapeutics and clean energy inventions, as well as other incredible job-creating solutions to improve lives. Minister for Science and Technology Melissa Price said CRC-Ps helped strengthen links between industry and research organisations.
Download

20 March

Genomics Australia to guide the future of genomic health and medicine over the coming decade
Through our 10-year Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) plan, the Government is committed to helping Australians live longer and better lives by ensuring that our health system can embrace and benefit from one of the most promising emerging medical disciplines - genomics. To further this agenda, our Government is investing $28.1 million to establish a new agency, Genomics Australia, to support the integration of genomic medicine as a standard of healthcare in Australia. Genomic health technologies have the potential to reshape clinical practice and change the way we prevent, diagnose, treat and monitor illness throughout each person's life, said Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt.
Download

Return to top

Rural, Regional and Remote Health

24 March

Community group grants to encourage organ and tissue donation
Community organisations across the country will share in more than $500,000 from the Government help raise awareness about organ and tissue donation in Australia and encourage more Australians to take the easy step to sign up on the Australian Organ Donor Register. Ten community organisations will get a share of the $512,000 to promote this important cause. Minister responsible for the Organ and Tissue Authority, Dr David Gillespie said there are around 13 million Australians aged 16+ who are eligible to register as organ and tissue donors - but haven't. 'You never know if you or a loved one may one day be in need of life-saving transplant,' Dr Gillespie said.
Download

23 March

Government invests $4.2 million to get specialists in the bush
The Government is investing more than $4 million across country Australia to increase access to specialists for patients and encourage more specialists to undertake their training in regional, rural and remote areas. Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said the funding will be shared across eight projects that will support more specialists to undertake rural and regional placements and training. Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie said the investment through the Government's Flexible Approach to Training in Expanded Settings (FATES) program will support trainee specialists in locations with shortages of specialists.
Download

$708.6 million to continue specialist medical training across Australia
To help get more local doctors trained in the specialties Australia needs, Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said the Government is providing $708.6 million to continue the Specialist Training Program (STP) for four years from 2022. Since 2010, more than $1.4 billion has been invested towards the program, which supports training positions outside of traditional metropolitan teaching hospitals. Minister for Regional Health, Dr David Gillespie said the program allows participants to train in a multitude of medical environments, including private hospitals, specialist rooms, clinics and day surgeries, Aboriginal Medical Services and non-clinical settings.
Download

18 March

Two new university departments of rural health for WA
More nurses and allied health workers will be trained in WA's South West and Goldfields regions as part of a $36 million push from the Government to boost local health workforces through new University Departments of Rural Health (UDRH). Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new additions would encourage more graduating health professionals to practice in the South West and Goldfields regions. Member for Forrest Nola Marino and Member for O'Connor Rick Wilson welcomed the two new UDRHs. A former regional doctor, Minister for Regional Health Dr David Gillespie said the RHMT program was a key part of the Government's commitment to addressing health workforce shortages outside the cities.
Download

Return to top

Women's Health

21 March

WA: Pre-Birth Planning Program keeping mums and babies together
WA Minister for Child Protection and Women's Interests, Simone McGurk and WA Minister for Health Amber-Jade Sanderson have announced that a Government program where at- risk mothers-to-be work with child protection and child health professionals in the months leading up to birth is building better futures for vulnerable children and families. The Pre-Birth Planning Program addresses the safety, wellbeing and health concerns of at-risk families before birth and, where possible, prevents newborns from entering care. The program, operating at King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) and Fiona Stanley Hospital, is the only initiative in Australia where child protection and child health professionals work side-by-side on pre-birth planning.
Download

SA Liberal loss a win for life issues
"The Australian Christian Lobby's (ACL) campaign in the SA election highlighted SA's recent abortion to birth legislation which was pushed through against the wishes of the majority of South Australians by the Liberal Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Vicki Chapman with the support of the Premier Stephen Marshall," said the ACL. ACL's SA Director Christopher Brohier said, 'ACL told MPs before they voted on the bill that if abortion to birth legislation was passed, the ACL would remind people from that time to the election, how MPs voted."
Download

Return to top

Transcripts

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Federal Member for Chisholm Gladys Liu, Minister For Health Greg Hunt
24 MAR 2022: Transcript of Press Conference, Clayton, Victoria
Subjects: Infrastructure, Economic plan, Energy, Vaccination rates, COVID-19, Jobs & economic growth, High-skilled jobs, Putin G20, Culture, Russia

Shadow Minister for Northern Australia Murray Watt
24 MAR: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Cairns
Subject: Cyclone funding, Disaster mitigation projects, Flood victims, Great Barrier Reef protection, SES, COVID-19, Economy, Environment, Emergency management

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce
23 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Peter Stefanovic, Sky News First Edition
Subjects: Hells Gates Dam, Hydro electricity, Infrastructure, Environmental approval, Water resources, Craig Thomson, Covid-19, Isolation rules

Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert
23 MAR: Transcript of Speech to The Age Schools Summit, Melbourne Convention Centre, Melbourne
Subjects: Education, Floods, School closure, Face-to-face learning, PISA, Funding, ACARA, LANTITE, TEMAG, Disruptive classrooms, Mental health

Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert
23 MAR: Transcript of Opening remarks at Retail Leaders Forum, Melbourne
Subjects: Retail sector, COVID-19, Economic support packages, JobKeeper Payments, Boosting Cash Flow measure, Small and Medium Enterprise Guarantee Scheme

Minister for Agriculture and Nothern Australia, David Littleproud
23 MAR: Transcript of Press Conference, Darwin
Subjects: Biosecurity, Lumpy skin disease, Vaccine, Containers, 3D X-ray scanners, Declaration cards, Border security, Live export trade, Technology, Beetaloo Basin

Senator Raff Ciccone
23 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Stephen Cenatiempo, 2CC Canberra
Subjects: Racism, Energy, Gas industry, Nuclear power, Fuel supply, Fuel security, SA election, Cost of living, Healthcare

Shadow Minister for Trade Madeline King
23 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Tom Connell, Sky Newsday
Subjects: Australia-India relationship, Trade agreements, Economy, Higher education, COVID-19, International students, Diaspora, Ukraine, Russia, China

Prime Minister Scott Morrison with Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch
22 MAR: Transcript of Press Conference, Cairns City, QLD
Subjects: TTNQ, Tourism, Economic benefits, TANS program, Funding, International travel trade, COVID-19, Petrol excise, Cost of living, Flood package

Shadow Minister For Health And Ageing Mark Butler, Senator Helen Polley
22 MAR: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Community Care Tasmania
Subjects: Respite care, Aged care sector, GP shortages, Training more workers, Disability sector, Medicare services, Regional communities

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk
21 MAR: Transcript of Press Conference, Brisbane, Queensland
Subjects: COVID-19, Economy, Waste management, Environment, Job creation, Olympics, Cultural centre, Infrastructure, Flood recovery, City deal

Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham
21 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Will Goodings & David Penberthy, 5AA Breakfast
Subjects: COVID-19, SA, Education, Trade unions, Job security, National security, Economy, Taxes

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud, Parkes MP Mark Coulton
21 MAR: Transcript of Media Conference, Dubbo
Subjects: Drought preparedness, Future drought program, Innovation programs, Funding, Agriculture, Interest rate subsidies, Job creation, Housing, COVID-19

Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler
21 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Patricia Karvelas, RN Breakfast
Subjects: SA Election, COVID-19, Healthcare, Childcare, Wage growth, Vaccine rollout, Medicare, GP shortages, Kimberly Kitching, Opposition workplace culture

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt
20 MAR: Transcript of Interview with Kieran Gilbert, Sky News
Subjects: Genomics Australia, Mental Health funding, National health plan of primary care, Young people, Vacctination rates, Cost of living, National security

Department of Health
18 MAR: Transcript of Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly's Interview with Patricia Karvelas, Radio National
Subjects: COVID cases on the rise, Booster rollout, ATAGI, Health system, Easing restrictions, Flu season

Return to top

Reports

Diabetes health professionals pre-budget submission: Investing now saves lives and costs
Australian Diabetes Society (ADS)
The incidence of diabetes in Australians is increasing. Approximately 1.4 million Australians live with diabetes, and there are another 500,000 estimated current cases existing but undiagnosed. The cost of diabetes in Australia is estimated to be a staggering $14.6 billion. 1 Identifying people at risk of develo- ping diabetes (those diagnosed with pre-diabetes or who have had gestational diabetes) and providing early intervention such as consultations with a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) can reduce this risk.
Download

2022-2023 Pre-budget Submission
Australian Association of Practice Management (AAPM)
The Australian Association of Practice Management (AAPM) would like to thank the Australian Government for the opportunity to contribute to discussions relating to the 2022 - 2023 Commonwealth Budget. The impact of COVID-19 continues to present economic and health challenges. The AAPM appreciates this challenging policy context and seeks to support outcomes that lead to increased efficiencies that optimise the economic and social returns from Government investment in health. This submission highlights the critical contribution of Practice Managers and their role in improving efficiencies, and therefore the return, from Government investment in health funding.
Download

2022-2023 Pre-budget Submission
Australian BPD Foundation
The Australian BPD Foundation was formed in 2011 by a group of volunteer consumers, carers and clinicians who were concerned about the erroneous views and myths and the negative culture that existed in relation to borderline personality disorder (BPD) within mainstream mental health services. Many people diagnosed with BPD and their family/carers were denied access to mental health treatment and support, based solely on their diagnosis. BPD's current membership is close to 1300 members.
Download

Federal Pre-Budget Submission 2022
Australasian College of Paramedicine (ACP)
The Australasian College of Paramedicine (ACP) is the peak professional body representing and supporting paramedics and champions the role of paramedics in out of hospital emergency, urgent and primary care. ACP brings together paramedics from across Australasia to advance excellence in paramedicine and patient-centred care. ACP has targeted solutions to address the health system challenges for Australia. - Innovative models of care utilising paramedics in primary care to mitigate unnecessary ED presentations and emergency response capacity pressures.
- Patient safety in paramedic services to deliver consistent clinical, safety and quality standards across paramedicine service providers.
Download

Pre-budget healthcare submission to the government - where should the money be spent?
Australian Patients Association
Download

2022-23 Pre-Budget Submission
Australian Rural Health Education Network (ARHEN)
The Australian Rural Health Education Network (ARHEN) welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission to the forthcoming 2022-23 federal Budget. ARHEN's purpose is to improve the health and wellbeing of people in rural and remote Australia by providing high-quality health education, research and advocacy. AHREN members are the 17 University Departments of Rural Health (UDRH) located in rural and remote Australia. For more than twenty years, the UDRHs have supported the current and future rural and remote health workforce by providing training opportunities, academic support and leading research on rural and remote health matters.
Download

Delivering for Youth: how governments can put young people at the centre of the recovery
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
Governments across the OECD are investing significant resources to address the immediate and long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Given that the crisis has affected different age groups differently and that its repercussions will be felt by many for decades to come, it is crucial to adopt an integrated public governance approach to COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. This policy brief presents the views of a non-representative sample of 151 youth organisations from 72 countries, including 100 youth organisations based in 36 OECD countries.
Download

COVID-19 and the Sustainable Development Goals: Reversing progress towards decent work for all
International Labour Organisation
The pandemic wreaked havoc on people's lives and societies, but how far did it set the global community back in reaching the SDG targets related to decent work and economic growth? The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021 revealed the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Although the report pointed out that insufficient official data sources made it difficult to obtain a detailed and accurate picture of progress towards the SDGs in real time, it identified a number of areas that required urgent and coordinated action.
Download

Births in Australia
Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS)
Key messages
- The total fertility rate has fallen over recent years. It was 1.58 in 2020, the lowest rate on record.
- The age at which women have their first child has increased. In 2019, 51% of first births were to women aged over 30, representing a significant rise from 23% in 1991 and 37% in 2001.
- The proportion of births born outside marriage has remained steady since the late 2000s, although an upward trend has emerged in the last few years. In 2020, 36% of births were outside marriage.
Download

Volume 216, No 5 - Gender dysphoria - Evolving clinical and legal frameworks
Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)
Download

Socioeconomic factors point to Covid-19 infections
Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)
The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections was higher in Victorian postcodes with larger proportions of unemployed people, those without paid leave benefits, or those experiencing mortgage or rent stress, according to research published by the MJA. Health, income, and education inequalities have been associated with variations in the local incidence of SARS- CoV-2 infections in the United States, but their impact in Australia has been less explored. Researchers led by Dr Christine Roder, an infectious disease researcher at Barwon Health and the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) at Deakin University, analysed data about the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in Victoria by postcode.
Download

Smoking
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
Tobacco smoking is one of the largest preventable causes of death and disease in Australia. Smoking is estimated to kill almost 20,500 Australians a year (13% of all deaths) and was responsible for 8.6% of the total burden of disease in Australia in 2018[1]. It is associated with an increased risk of health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer, kidney disease, eye disease and respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis.
Download

Physical activity
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
Physical activity can take many different forms and can occur in the home, workplace or other environment. The benefits of regular physical activity include prevention and management of health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Physical activity is also an important contributor for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
Download

Microdata and TableBuilder - National Health Survey
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
This product provides information about the microdata releases from the most recent NHS cycles, 2020-21 and 2017-18, including details about the data files and how to use the different microdata products. Data Item Lists, information about the survey methodology, and links to microdata for previous NHS releases (2014-15 and prior) are also provided. It is important to note that the 2020-21 NHS data should be considered a break in time series from previous NHS collections and used for point-in-time national analysis only.
Download

Health conditions prevalence
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
78.6 per cent of all Australians had a long-term health condition in 2020-21, with almost half (46.6 per cent) reporting at least one selected chronic condition, according to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). ABS Director of Health Statistics, Robert Long, said the first release of the National Health Survey 2020-21 offered insights into health conditions and health risks in 2020-21 during the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Mental and behavioural conditions (20.1 per cent), back problems (15.7 per cent) and arthritis (12.5 per cent) were the most commonly reported chronic conditions in 2020-21,' Mr Long said
Download

Volume 216, No 5 - Gender dysphoria - Evolving clinical and legal frameworks
Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)
Download

Increasing demand for RhD negative blood challenges supplies as donation declines
Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)
The first analysis of blood groups data since 1993-1994 has shown that the distribution of blood groups has changed, reflecting changes in the demographic characteristics of the Australian population, according to research published by the Medical Journal of Australia. The researchers led by Dr Rena Hirani, Senior Research Fellow with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood and Macquarie University, analysed data for blood donors and for people whose blood type was determined in samples submitted for analysis by hospital-based or private pathology agencies, across all Australian states and territories in the 2019 calendar year.
Download

Hip fracture survival after surgery improves since care standard introduced
Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)
Survival after surgery to repair hip fracture has improved in New South Wales, but not for patients who were hospitalized without undergoing surgery, according to research published by the Medical Journal of Australia. Researchers led by Dr Lara Harvey, a Research Fellow at the Falls, Balance and Injury Research Centre at Neuroscience Research Australia, analysed data from emergency admissions of people with hip fracture as primary diagnosis with an external cause of low fall, linked with NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages mortality data.
Download

Trans youth penalised by Re Imogen decision
Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)
Recent legal changes are negatively affecting provision of timely medical care to Australian transgender youth, according to the authors of a Perspective published by the Medical Journal of Australia. After the 2017 Full Family Court ruling in Re: Kelvin, court approval for puberty suppressing treatment for Gillick competent young people was no longer needed for treatment to proceed. 'The decision provided much needed clarity, while also removing a costly, slow and psychologically harmful burden for trans youth and medical practitioners,' wrote the authors, led by Professor Fiona Kelly from La Trobe University.
Download

Socioeconomic factors point to COVID-19 infections
Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)
The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections was higher in Victorian postcodes with larger proportions of unemployed people, those without paid leave benefits, or those experiencing mortgage or rent stress, according to research published by the Medical Journal of Australia. Health, income, and education inequalities have been associated with variations in the local incidence of SARS- CoV-2 infections in the United States, but their impact in Australia has been less explored. Researchers led by Dr Christine Roder, an infectious disease researcher at Deakin University, analysed data about the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in Victoria by postcode, between 1 March and 13 August 2020.
Download

Individual disability income insurance: Suspension of policy contract term measure
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA)
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has sent a letter to life insurers and friendly societies announcing its decision to suspend the implementation of the policy contract term measure for individual disability income insurance (IDII). The letter follows APRA's decision in May 2021 to defer the implementation of this measure to 1 October 2022, to allow additional time for the development of solutions that meet APRA's expectations to address the risk of unsustainable contract terms. APRA will suspend the IDII policy contract term measure for at least two years, at which time it will reassess its position.
Download

Pre-budget submission 2022-23
Australian Medical Association (AMA)
With polling consistently highlighting health is a top concern for voters, next week's Federal Budget is the last chance for Government to demonstrate it is serious about addressing the health system's significant strains and logjams. 'We're releasing our full Pre-Budget Submission, including final chapters on private health and primary care, completing our call for urgent and significant investment across the four pillars of preventative health, primary care, public hospitals and private healthcare,' AMA President, Dr Omar Khorshid, said. 'Our pre-budget submission is fully costed and completely implementable. Each chapter is backed by an extensive, detailed and publicly available research paper.'
Download

Epilepsy in Australia
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
Epilepsy affects around 151,000 Australians and thousands are hospitalised by their condition each year, according to the first comprehensive report, Epilepsy in Australia, from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 'Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterised by recurrent seizures caused by a temporary disruption of the brain's electrical activity. Epilepsy does not refer to a singular condition, but rather represents a diverse range of disorders involving many seizure types,' said AIHW spokesperson Dr. Fleur de Crespigny. 'A diagnosis of epilepsy brings with it lifelong management, and many experience difficulties in their work, education and long-term health.'
Download

Self-Care for health: A solid investment in the health of Australians
Australian Self-Care Alliance
The Alliance proposes that the 2022-23 Health Budget of the Australian Government should give priority to the importance of redressing the evident low rates of self-care awareness and engagement in some sectors of the Australian population, and particularly vulnerable and population priority groups as defined and identified by the National Preventive Health Strategy 2021 (NPHS). Encouraging individuals to take greater responsibility for their physical and mental health management and outcomes should be a defining characteristic of Australia's health and care systems, services, and supports.
Download

2022-23 Pre-Budget Submission
Australian Dental Association (ADA)
Good oral health is pivotal for general health and well-being and should be available to all Australians. Conversely, poor oral health has a significant deleterious effect on general health and impacts people's welfare by affecting speech, eating, and socialising because of pain, discomfort, and appearance. Hence, early detection and treatment of dental disease and preventative measures improve oral health. Unfortunately, evidence suggests that many Australians experience poor oral health despite many advancements and improvements.
Download

Pre-budget submission 2022-23
Australian Dental Prosthetists Association (ADPA)
With the impact of COVID-19 on oral health prevention, maintenance and treatment which has significantly declined as a result of the pandemic ADPA feels that now, more than ever, it is critical to implement a sustainable, consistent, and adequate dental funding model. in a way that is well considered, adequate and delivers the greatest benefits to our communities and to the health of all Australian's. ADPA's pre-budget submission provides recommendations believed will assist in meeting Australia's growing oral health demands.
Download

2022-23 Pre-budget submission
Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA)
The funding and establishment of a Joint Medical Workforce Planning and Governance body with the authority to advise, direct, or make decisions on the size and structure of the entirety of the medical workforce & training pipeline, will allow medium to long-term planning and resource allocation to align AMSA's workforce with population demand. Concurrently, the funding of a National Medical Workforce Data Strategy will facilitate data-driven decision making and modelling of workforce planning, enabling more efficient designing processes, as well as the capacity to monitor and evaluate ongoing training models.
Download

2022-23 Pre-Budget Submissions
Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI)
Australia can use the COVID-19 crisis to establish itself as the best place in the world for medical research. However, without urgent intervention, Australia risks its research workforce becoming ill-equipped to deliver the health and economic benefits the nation expects. Urgent intervention is needed to prevent this wasteful loss of talent, and to ensure that Australia is equipped to deal with the acute health challenges that threaten our future wellbeing. AAMRI recommends that the Australian Government fund 288 additional Ideas Grants each year for early- and mid-career researchers.
Download

Better sleep health
Sleep Health Foundation
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance and value of Australia's essential workers to the wellbeing of the nation and its economy. Many of these essential workers are employed in shift work. This submission outlines a comprehensive program designed to improve the sleep health of these essential shift workers with a targeted program focused on the six key industries employing the vast majority of shift workers in Australia: This submission is a prioritized response to two key recommendations of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Sleep Health Awareness in Australia1, and will result in significant benefits to the Australian economy through reduced healthcare costs and improved productivity and safety.
Download

Digital health workforce capability to address Australia's future healthcare challenges
Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH)
Digital innovation in healthcare will continue apace, driven by consumer expectations, technology advancements and the need to improve the efficiency of care provision. Investment in education, training and skill diversification is critical to ensure the current and future health workforce has the knowledge and competencies necessary to provide safe, effective, and innovative healthcare. Currently, the health sector lacks a critical mass of personnel with technical expertise in computing and data harvesting, storage, and analysis.
Download

2022 Pre-budget Submission
Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA)
With an urgent need to support the national COVID vaccine booster rollout, plans to manage COVID patients in their own homes, increasing rates of chronic disease, an ageing population, and a predicted shortfall of nurses in coming years, Australia desperately needs more primary health care nurses. This program will expand existing solutions to establish a national system providing student placements in the primary health care system, and pathways offering for future career opportunities. The program would help to address current and future nurse workforce shortages by creating between 2000-8000 additional placement opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students over four years nationally in metro, urban, rural and remote settings.
Download

Sports injury hospitalisations in Australia, 2019-20
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
This report analyses the almost 52,300 sports injuries that were serious enough to require a person to stay in hospital in 2019-20. It looks at the demographics of those injured and the types of injuries that led to hospitalisation. The effect of COVID-19-related restrictions on sport is also examined. Participation estimates and rates of injury are presented for the most popular sports. Selected sports are discussed in more detail, including the various football codes, wheeled motor sports, netball, and cricket. The report does not include information on people who sought treatment at hospital emergency departments, general practitioner clinics, sports medicine centres, or from other practitioners.
Download

2022-23 Federal Pre-Budget Submission
Australian Global Health Alliance
Australia's ongoing development influence and leadership is not guaranteed. The growth, for example, of many South East Asian economies signal possible shifts in regional dynamics and new competition for global health jobs, funding and leadership opportunities. In addition, the defunding of the tertiary sector, in particular the transdisciplinary fields critical to address the underlying determinants of global health, puts growth as a global health lead at risk. A healthy region is in Australia's national best interest in terms of health security.
Download

2022-23 Pre-Budget Submission
Australian Rural Health Education Network (ARHEN)
The 2020 independent evaluation of the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training Program found that the program was 'an appropriate response and important contributor to addressing rural workforce shortages' that also generated economic and social benefits in rural and remote communities. The report found that universities are delivering tertiary level teaching and training of health students in rural and remote settings to an equivalent or higher standard than metropolitan settings. Rural placements were recognised to be a 'workforce generator' and that alumni of the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training Program are now visible in many communities.
Download

2022 Budget submission
Arthritis Australia
In 2021, Arthritis Australia has again consulted consumers and a multidisciplinary group of experts, as well as the network of community based affiliates across Australia, to identify the top three priorities for implementation moving forward:
- Addressing the disproportionately low investment in arthritis research to improve outcomes for children and adults with arthritis and unlock health system cost savings
- Providing support for people with arthritis to exercise safely to improve their condition
- More affordable access to evidence based, multidisciplinary care
Download

Pre-Budget Submission 2022-2023
Australian Association of Psychologists Incorporated (AAPI)
AAPI recommend four initiatives that will quickly address a rise in mental health challenges in a cost-effective and powerful way:
1. One-tier Medicare rebate for the clients of all registered psychologists in Australia.
2. Raise the Medicare rebate to $150 per session to allow for greater access, to facilitate more bulk billing, and to enable appropriate treatment rather than an inadequate psychological health care response.
3. Implementing the Productivity Commission recommendation for up to 40 rebated sessions per annum.
4. Establish a 'Provisional Psychologist' Medicare rebate
Download

State Disability Plan 2022-2026
VIC, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH)
Download

Australia's international response to COVID-19
Australian Council For International Development
In 2020-21, Australia responded decisively to a rapidly deteriorating strategic environment through a new suite of defence, diplomatic and development investments designed to alter this trajectory, 'using all the elements of statecraft to shape the world that we want to see'. Given the accelerated deterioration in the strategic environment as a result of the pandemic and the expectation from partners and allies that Australia's assistance will not decline during this crisis, it is critical that Australia continues to work with partners to strengthen regional resilience and contribute to an effective multilateral response over the medium term.
Download

2022/23 Budget submission from the aged care sector
Australian Aged Care Collaboration
Fixing aged care requires fixing the funding model so that providers can hire enough staff and pay a competitive rate, whilst also maintaining financial viability and re-investment back into services and infrastructure. The latest data on the financial position of residential aged care providers shows that losses worsened in the September Quarter of 2021 to $7.30 per resident per day, despite the additional $10 per resident per day announced as part of the Government's Royal Commission response.
Download

Federal budget submission to treasury 2022-2023
Australian Disability and Development Consortium (ADDC)
Reports from OPDs indicate that people with disabilities are among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. People with disabilities have experienced higher job losses, food insecurity and face immense challenges to protecting themselves from the virus.1 Without strategic intervention, the pandemic is set to widen inequalities and push people with disabilities and their families deeper into poverty. The pandemic has validated the logic of focusing on pre-conditions to inclusion or on specific interventions with people with disabilities.2 This means laying the foundations for people with disabilities to be included in all aspects of social and economic spheres of their community.
Download

2022-23 Pre-Budget Submission
Australian Psychological Society (APS)
The APS would like to partner with Government to provide opportunities to address this serious social and economic problem by developing and enlisting the psychological workforce in the most efficient and effective way possible. The Pre-Budget Submission outlines how this can be achieved with a focus on the major priority areas for current reform in Australia via three key pillars:
- Prevent
- Respond
- Adapt
Download

2022-23 Federal Pre-Budget Submission
Australian Federation Of Aids Organisations (AFAO)
On 16 June last year, the AFAO led Agenda 2025 was launched in Parliament House, Canberra. This document is the organisation's platform ahead of the next federal election. Agenda 2025 is endorsed by the organisations and institutes that resource Australia's HIV response. The asks in the document are evidence-based and costed by health economists. In reinforcing the goal to end HIV transmission, Agenda 2025 sets further targets applying to population groups at risk of HIV. These include overarching targets and then sub-targets addressing the four limbs of the national response: prevention, testing, treatment and stigma.
Download

2022-23 Pre-Budget Submissions
Asthma Australia
Asthma Australia recommends the Australian Government fund renewable and non-emitting sources for energy and transport to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewable and non-emitting sources for energy and transport. They also recommend the Australian Government implement a National Strategy on Climate, Health and Well-being for Australia, such as that developed by the Climate and Health Alliance, and fund the actions contained in the Strategy. Asthma Australia further recommends the Australian Government fund the extension of the 'Essential Medical Equipment Payment' to people with asthma and air purifiers
Download

2022-2023 Australian Budget Priorities
Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
AASW recommends that the federal budget invests:
- $3 million dollars annually to establish a registration scheme of the social work profession.
- $5 million annually to increase amount of fees paid to AMHSW's under Better Access.
- $255,222,000 over 4 years to support social work students to complete their Field Education course requirements.
- $17 million subsidy for service providers to employ a full time qualified social work supervisor to create social work student placement opportunities.
- In scholarships for social work students enrolled in regional tertiary institutions.
- In scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social work students from remote and rural areas.
Download

The urgent need to act on cholesterol and reduce the impact of one of Australia's biggest killers
AMGEN Australia
Together with the CVD community, AMGEN developed a report, Australia's Cholesterol Heartache (2020), that contained five simple, actionable and affordable solutions that will reduce the levels of cholesterol amongst high-risk Australians. Together they call for action to:
1. Ensure all high-risk Australians know their LDL-C level.
2. Embed annual LDL-C tests for all high-risk Australians.
3. Standardise lipid profile reporting across Australia.
4. Update the guidelines to reflect best practice for secondary prevention of CVD.
5. Enhance the role of quality cardiac rehabilitation across Australia
Download

Physiotherapy: A path to better care
Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA)
The APA's pre-budget submission offers strong solutions to strengthen care for all Australians:
1. Improve the patient pathway by addressing the structural barriers to reform.
2. Reform primary health care through new public funded physiotherapy treatment pathways.
3. Shift priorities to ensure those most in need are not waiting for care.
4. Implement health care reform by acting on the many plans already in place.
Download

2022-23 Pre-budget submissions
Consumer Healthcare Products Australia (CHP)
CHP recommendations include:
1. Embed self-care in national health policy and practice as recommended by the Mitchell Institute's Self-
care for health: a national policy blueprint1.
2. Establish a dedicated long-term preventive health and self-care innovation and development fund, with
initial funding of $10M over five years.
3. Facilitate and fund a common ailment scheme system in community pharmacy, offering potential
national healthcare savings of up to $1.26B per annum2.
4. Designate improving medicines literacy a priority area for the National Health Literacy Strategy, and
allocate funding for a consumer facing medicines literacy campaign
Download

2022-23 Pre-budget submission
Australian Climate & Health Alliance
CAHA has put forward policy recommendations that recognise health, environment and climate links. ACHA's Healthy, Regenerative and Just framework for a national strategy on climate, health and wellbeing for Australia, endorsed by 60+ health organisations, provides a comprehensive roadmap to support the Commonwealth Government in taking a leadership role in protecting the health and well-being of Australian communities from climate change and in fulfilling its international obligations, including under the Paris Agreement.
Download

2022-23 Pre-budget submission
Better Access Australia
Better Access Australia is calling on the federal government to #MINDTHEGAP in affordability in healthcare as part of its 2022-23 Budget: the gap in the affordability of time to access, and the affordability of the increasing financial costs for patients seeking access to healthcare in Australia. Unfortunately, there are increasingly more gaps in costs for patients both financially and in time to access in the system. Neither of which they can afford. Building on the findings of the Government-led parliamentary inquiry into access to novel technologies, and its previous election commitments on affordability of healthcare, Better Access Australia is seeking as a starting point six reforms.
Download

Drug Utilisation Sub-Committee - Outcome Statement 3 February - 4 February 2022
Department Of Health, Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
DUSC noted that four category 1, 26 category 2, eight standard re-entry submissions and one early re-entry submissions had been received for the March 2022 meeting of PBAC. DUSC provided detailed advice to the PBAC on projected usage and financial cost for the submissions where there was high cost, uncertain utilisation, first medicine in class or quality use of medicines concerns. The agenda for the March 2022 PBAC meeting can be found on the PBS website.
Download

Return to top

Hansards

Federal

17 MAR 2022: SENATE COMMITTEE HANSARD: Senate Community Affairs References Committee - General practitioner and related primary health services to outer metropolitan, rural and regional Australians - Emerald

New South Wales

24 MAR 2022: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Community Recognition Notices - The Health Care Centre Crookwell

24 MAR 2022: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Community Recognition Statements - Gosford Hospital Stroke Team

24 MAR 2022: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Motions - Rural, Remote and Regional Health

24 MAR 2022: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Announcements - Chamber COVID-Safe Arrangements

24 MAR 2022: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Community Recognition Notices - Coolamon Shire Women Set to Talk about Mental Health

24 MAR 2022: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Bills - COVID-19 and Other Legislation Amendment (Regulatory Reforms) Bill 2022 - Health Legislation (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2022 - Assent

23 MAR 2022: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Private Members' Statements - Central Coast Health District

23 MAR 2022: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Bills - COVID-19 and other Legislation Amendment (Regulatory Reforms) Bill 2022 - Health Legislation (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2022 - Returned

23 MAR 2022: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Take Note - Merewether High School - Covid-19 Vaccination of Education and Care Workers

23 MAR 2022: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Documents - Ministry of Health Asset Management Policies - Production of Documents - Order

23 MAR 2022: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Announcements - Chamber COVID-Safe Arrangements

23 MAR 2022: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Documents - Covid-19 Expenditure - Production of Documents - Order

23 MAR 2022: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Climate Change and Mental Health Services

23 MAR 2022: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Community Recognition Notices - Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital

23 MAR 2022: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Community Recognition Notices - C2G Mental Health Fundraiser

23 MAR 2022: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Take Note - Climate Change and Mental Health Services

22 MAR 2022: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Community Recognition Notices - Mental Health For Sportspeople

22 MAR 2022: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Take Note - Floods and Mental Health Services

22 MAR 2022: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Announcements - Chamber Covid-Safe Arrangements

22 MAR 2022: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Documents - Miscellaneous Grants - Resources For Regions Program - Covid-19 Health Advice - Transport Asset Holding Entity of New South Wales - Variation of Order

22 MAR 2022: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Deferred Answers - Covid-19 Hospitalisations

22 MAR 2022: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Bills - Health Legislation (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2022 - Second Reading Debate, Third Reading

22 MAR 2022: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Bills - Covid-19 and Other Legislation Amendment (Regulatory Reforms) Bill 2022 - Second Reading Speech - Second Reading Debate, Debate Adjourned, Second Reading Debate, Third Reading

22 MAR 2022: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Bills - Health Legislation (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2022 - First Reading

22 MAR 2022: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Documents - Health Funding and Health Infrastructure - Return to Order - Claim of Privilege

22 MAR 2022: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Bills - Health Legislation (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2022 - Second Reading Speech, In Committee, Adoption of Report, Third Reading

22 MAR 2022: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Floods and Mental Health Services

22 MAR 2022: NSW ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Community Recognition Notices - Icaria Health Albury

22 MAR 2022: NSW COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Take Note - Jobs Growth - Schools and Flood Recovery - Floods and Mental Health Services - Bundanoon Art Museum - Harbour Bridge Ninetieth Anniversary - Floods and Homelessness

Northern Territory

23 MAR 2022: NT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Bills - Public and Environmental Health Amendment (Emergency Reporting) Bill 2022 - First Reading, Second Reading, Debate Adjourned

23 MAR 2022: NT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Motion - Note Statement - Ministerial Policy Statement on COVID-19

23 MAR 2022: NT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Question Time - COVID-19 - Chief Health Officer Direction 22

23 MAR 2022: NT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Question Time - COVID-19 - Chief Health Officer Emergency Powers

Victoria

24 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Members Statements - Mental Health Services

24 MAR 2022: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Members Statements - COVID-19 Vaccination

24 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Adjournment - Narre Warren South Electorate Mental Health

24 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice and Ministers Statements - Health Services

24 MAR 2022: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Adjournment - COVID-19 Vaccination

24 MAR 2022: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice and Ministers Statements - COVID-19

24 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice and Ministers Statements - Portland District Health

23 MAR 2022: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Adjournment - Northern Victoria Region Mental Health Services

23 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Adjournment - COVID-19

23 MAR 2022: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice and Ministers Statements - Maternal and Child Health Services

23 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Grievance Debate - Ripon Electorate Health Services

23 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Adjournment - Shepparton Electorate Mental Health

23 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Grievance Debate - Workplace Health and Safety

23 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Members statements - Student Mental Health

23 MAR 2022: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice and Ministers Statements - Albury Wodonga Health

22 MAR 2022: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Adjournment - COVID-19

22 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice and Ministers Statements - Ministers Statements - Rural and Regional Mental Health Services

22 MAR 2022: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Members statements - COVID-19 Vaccination

22 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Adjournment - Student Mental Health

22 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice and Ministers Statements - Ministers Statements - Mental Health Reform

22 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Members Statements - Hospital Waiting Lists

22 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Members - Minister for Health - Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change - Minister for Public Transport - Absence

22 MAR 2022: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Adjournment - Albury Wodonga Health

22 MAR 2022: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Members statements - Mental Health Workforce

22 MAR 2022: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice and Ministers Statements - Health Emergency Response (332KB)

22 MAR 2022: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice and Ministers Statements - Ministers Statements - Youth Mental Health

22 MAR 2022: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Papers - Department of Health and Human Services - Absolutely Everyone: State Disabilty Plan 2017-2020 Final Report


Western Australia

24 MAR 2022: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Children In Care - Health Navigator Pilot Program

24 MAR 2022: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Statement by Minister for Small Business - Coronavirus - Level 2 Covid-19 Business Assistance Package

23 MAR 2022: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Question on Notice 555 - Answer Advice - Geraldton Health Campus - Staff

23 MAR 2022: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Child Health Nurses

23 MAR 2022: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions on Notice - Health - Smoking - Harm Reduction

23 MAR 2022: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Question on Notice 544 - Answer Advice - WA Country Health Service - Child Development Services - Wait Times

23 MAR 2022: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Statement by Minister for Health - Voluntary Assisted Dying

22 MAR 2022: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Perth Children’s Hospital - Parking

22 MAR 2022: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Geraldton Health Campus - Redevelopment

22 MAR 2022: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice - Health - Workforce - Recruitment

22 MAR 2022: WA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Bills - Small Business Development Corporation Amendment (COVID-19 Response) Bill 2022 - Assent

22 MAR 2022: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Bills - Small Business Development Corporation Amendment (COVID-19 Response) Bill 2022 - Assent

22 MAR 2022: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: Statement - Mental Health - Teachers

22 MAR 2022: WA COUNCIL HANSARD: ServiceWA App - WA Country Health Service - Hospitals - Staff

Return to top

Court Cases

Federal

Karcher & Lacoss [2022] FedCFamC2F 281
03 MAR 2022: Catchwords: Family law - Interim residence - COVID-19 vaccination - Whether court should make parental decision
Download

Return to top

New Regulations

Federal

Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00367
The purpose of the Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2022 (the Regulations) is to amend the general medical services table (GMST), diagnostic imaging services table (DIST) and pathology services table (PST) to implement the Government's response to recommendations from the MBS Review Taskforce (the Taskforce) regarding colorectal surgery services and recommendations from the independent Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) on pathology services and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) services.
Explanatory Statement

Private Health Insurance (Prostheses) Amendment Rules (No. 1) 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00364
The Private Health Insurance (Prostheses) Rules (Prostheses Rules) are made for the purposes of subsection 333-20(1) of the Act. Listed prostheses and their minimum benefits are set out in the Schedule to the Prostheses Rules. The list of prostheses in the Schedule is commonly referred to as the Prostheses List. The purpose of the Private Health Insurance (Prostheses) Amendment Rules (No. 1) 2022 (the Amending Rules) is to remove the billing code MI485 from Part 1 - Prostheses List - Part A of the Schedule. This billing code was listed incorrectly as a result of an administrative error.
Explanatory Statement

Defence Determination, Conditions of service Amendment (Operation COVID-19 ASSIST allowance) Determination 2022 (No. 5)
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00363
The purpose of this Determination is to establish an allowance payable to members who are force assigned to Operation COVID-19 Assist. The Determination implements government policy by making an allowance payable to members of the Permanent Forces and the Reserves for each day they provide paid duty on Operation COVID-19 ASSIST within the specified area.
Explanatory Statement

Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Health Measures No. 1) Regulations 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00354
The Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Act 1997 (the FF(SP) Act) conferson the Commonwealth, in certain circumstances, powers to make arrangements under which money can be spent; or to make grants of financial assistance; and to form, or otherwise be involved in, companies. The arrangements, grants, programs and companies (or classes of arrangements or grants in relation to which the powers are conferred) are specified in the Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Regulations 1997 (the Principal Regulations).
Explanatory Statement

Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Social Services Measures No. 1) Regulations 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00352
The Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Social Services Measures No. 1) Regulations 2022 (the Regulations) amend Schedule 1AB to the Principal Regulations to establish legislative authority for government spending on certain activities administered by the Department of Social Services.
Explanatory Statement

Health Insurance (Professional Services Review Scheme) Amendment (2022 Measures No. 2) Regulations 2022
Legislative Instrument - F2022L00348
The PSR Scheme protects patients and the community by reviewing and examining possible instances of inappropriate practice by practitioners when they provide Medicare services. Addressing inappropriate practice, which is linked to lower quality health care and unnecessary servicing, leads to improved patient care. Section 8 of the PSR Regulations prescribes the circumstances for a prescribed pattern of services.
Explanatory Statement

Return to top

Proclamations

None this edition.

Return to top

Gazette Notices

New South Wales

22 MAR 2022: NSW GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. 121: Government Notices - Health and Education

18 MAR 2022: NSW GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. 114: Government Notices - Health and Education

Victoria

24 MAR 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 12: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Education and Training Reform Act 2006 - Notice of Making of Ministerial Order About Mandatory Vaccination and Covid-19 Status Reporting Obligations

24 MAR 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 12: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Health Complaints Act 2016 - Section 90 - Interim Prohibition Order - Eunseo Lee

24 MAR 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 12: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Health Complaints Act 2016 - Section 90 - Interim Prohibition Order - Zhenya Borodinov

24 MAR 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 12: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Health Complaints Act 2016 - Section 90 - Interim Prohibition Order - Keti (Kate) Cvetkov

24 MAR 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 12: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Health Complaints Act 2016 - Section 95 - Prohibition Order - Victor Bennett

24 MAR 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 12: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Health Complaints Act 2016 - Section 95 - Prohibition Order - Jeanette Clabassi

24 MAR 2022: VIC GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No. G 12: Government and Outer Budget Sector Agencies Notices - Health Complaints Act 2016 - Section 90 - Interim Prohibition Order - Mohammed Javan Khaligh

23 MAR 2022: VIC SPECIAL GAZETTE No. S 143: Health Services Act 1988 - Section 40C(1) - Appointment of a Delegate to the Board of Directors of Yarram and District Health Service

23 MAR 2022: VIC SPECIAL GAZETTE No. S 144: Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 - Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 - Exemption - Australian Formula One Grand Prix

Return to top

Consolidated Legislation

Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1990
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C003315
SR 1990 No. 394 Regulations as amended, taking into account amendments up to Therapeutic Goods Legislation Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2022
Administered by: Health
Download

National Health (Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Instrument 2012
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00314
PB 71 of 2012 Other as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health Legislation Amendment (Authority Required Procedures for Prescriptions) Instrument 2022.
Download

Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices) Regulations 2002
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00309
SR 2002 No. 236 Regulations as amended, taking into account amendments up to Therapeutic Goods Legislation Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2022
Download

National Health (Weighted average disclosed price - April 2022 reduction day) Determination 2021
Legislative Instrument Compilation - F2022C00298
PB 134 of 2021 Determinations/Health as amended, taking into account amendments up to National Health (Weighted average disclosed price - April 2022 reduction day) Amendment Determination 2022.
Download

Return to top

New Bills

New South Wales

COVID-19 and Other Legislation Amendment (Regulatory Reforms) Bill 2022 - LC 2R debate 22/3, LC passed 22/3, Assent 24/3
Health Legislation (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2022 - LA 2R debate 22/3, LA passed 22/3, LC intro 22/3, LC passed 22/3, Assent 24/3
Home Building Amendment (Medical Gas Licensing) Bill 2022 - LA intro 23/3, LA 2R 23/3
Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 - LC 2R debate 23/3

Northern Territory

Public and Environmental Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 - LA intro 23/3, LC 2R 23/3

Public and Environmental Health Amendment (Emergency Reporting) Bill 2022 - LA intro 23/3, LC 2R 23/3

Return to top

New Acts

New South Wales

COVID-19 and Other Legislation Amendment (Regulatory Reforms) Act 2022

An Act to amend a number of Acts to permanently implement regulatory reforms relating to particular measures previously implemented temporarily as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; to amend the Constitution Act 1902 and the Constitution (COVID-19 Emergency Measures) Regulation 2020 to extend particular provisions; and to amend the Interpretation Act 1987 to clarify the requirements for tabling documents in a House of Parliament.

The objects of this Act are to-

(a) implement on a permanent basis particular regulatory measures that were implemented on a temporary basis in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including measures-

(i) enabling strata owners corporations, strata committees, community land associations, association committees and incorporated associations to meet and vote electronically under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009, the Community Land Management Act 2021 and the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015, and

(ii) enabling community land associations and owners corporations to validly execute documents under the Community Land Management Act 2021 and the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 by affixing the corporation's or association's common seal electronically or by using a prescribed alternative to affixing the seal, and

(iii) reducing the waiting period to access long service leave for contract cleaners from 20 weeks to 10 weeks under the Contract Cleaning Industry (Portable Long Service Leave Scheme) Act 2010, and

(iv) providing greater flexibility for employees and businesses to access long service leave under the Long Service Leave Act 1955, and

(v) allowing interviews and questioning to be conducted remotely by audio link or audio visual link under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, Crown Land Management Act 2016, the Fisheries Management Act 1994, the Mining Act 1992, the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 and the Water Management Act 2000, and

(vi) allowing mental health examinations or observations of a person detained in a mental health facility under the Mental Health Act 2007 to be conducted by audio visual link, and

(vii) allowing planning panels and the Independent Planning Commission to hold public hearings and meetings online or in person under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, and

(viii) enabling retirement village operators to obtain consent of residents in different ways, including electronically, under the Retirement Villages Act 1999, and

(b) preserve the rights of eligible tenants accrued during the prescribed period under the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2022 and allow savings and transitional regulations to be made in relation to any future commercial leasing protections implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and

(c) extend, until 26 March 2023, the Constitution Act 1902, Schedule 8, which was enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and enables the regulations to prescribe the ways and forms in which Bills may presented to, and assented to by, the Governor and Executive Council meetings are to be held and to allow for the further extension of that Schedule by regulation for a period of not more than 6 months, and

(d) amend the Interpretation Act 1987 to clarify that a reference in an Act or statutory rule to the tabling of a document in a House of Parliament includes a reference to taking any action allowed or required under the Standing Rules or Orders of the House for the tabling documents in the House when the House is not sitting.

LA: Notice of Motion 15/02/22
LA: 1R 15/02/22, 2R 15/02/22, 23/02/22, Passed with amendment 23/02/22
LC: 1R 23/02/22, 2R 22/03/22, Passed 22/03/22

Assent 24/03/22, Act No. 5 of 2022

Commencement: Subject to subsections (2) and (3), this Act commences on the date of assent to this Act.

Schedules 1.6 and 1.8 commence on 1 April 2022.

Schedules 1.3[3]-[10], 1.11[5], 1.12[1], [2] and [4] and 1.17[3]-[10] commence on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.

Download: Bill | 2R Speech

Health Legislation (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2022

An Act to amend the Health Practitioner Regulation (Adoption of National Law) Act 2009, the Health Services Act 1997, the Mental Health Act 2007, the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020, the Private Health Facilities Act 2007, the Public Health Act 2010 and the Subordinate Legislation Act 1989 for particular purposes.

The objects of this Act are as follows-

(a) to amend the Health Practitioner Regulation (Adoption of National Law) Act 2009, which adopts, with modifications, the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law as set out in the Schedule (the Queensland Schedule) to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009 of Queensland as a law of New South Wales, to ensure better parliamentary oversight by providing that future amendments to the Queensland Schedule do not take effect as law in New South Wales unless a regulation is made in New South Wales adopting, with or without modification, the amendments,

(b) to amend the Health Services Act 1997 to update the definitions of COAG and Standing Council on Health to reflect the current composition of those entities,

(c) to amend the Mental Health Act 2007 to-

(i) extend, until 30 June 2022, a COVID-19 related provision that enables certain examinations and observations to be conducted using an audio visual link, and

(ii) update the written statements of rights given to persons detained in, and voluntary patients of, mental health facilities to list LawAccess NSW as a service through which a person may seek help or advice instead of Legal Aid's Mental Health Advocacy Service,

(d) to amend the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 to update the certificate that a medical practitioner is required to complete when issuing an order to transfer a person imprisoned in, or a forensic patient detained in, a correctional centre or detention centre to a mental health facility, to include the place where the examination took place, and the name of the correctional centre or detention centre where the person is detained if that place is not the same as where the examination took place,

(e) to amend the Private Health Facilities Act 2007 to extend the following COVID-19 related provisions until 30 June 2022-

(i) section 12A, which allows the Secretary of the Ministry of Health to impose conditions on a private health facility licence to protect the health and safety of the public, manage resources or ensure the provision of balanced and coordinated health services throughout the State,

(ii) section 70, which allows the Secretary of the Ministry of Health to exempt a licensee or a class of licensees from a condition of a licence or a requirement relating to the medical advisory committee for a facility operated by the licensee,

(f) to amend the Public Health Act 2010 to-

(i) clarify that an authorised medical practitioner may only require a person who is the subject of a public health order to undergo a medical examination or test that relates to the condition for which the order was made, and

(ii) require that an authorised medical practitioner making a public health order give a person subject to the order information about the duration of the order, the person's rights of review and any other information prescribed by the regulations. It also provides that failure to give the information does not invalidate the order, and

(iii) clarify that a person takes reasonable precautions against spreading a sexually transmissible notifiable disease or scheduled medical condition if the person acts in accordance with any information, if provided, relating to the means of minimising the risk of infecting other people prescribed in the regulations that must be given by a medical practitioner to the person in relation to the disease or condition, and

(iv) extend the following COVID-19 emergency measures provisions until 30 September 2022-

(A) section 112(2), which enables a police officer to direct a person suspected of contravening a provision of the Public Health Act 2010 or the regulations made under it to provide the person's name and residential address,

(B) section 118(6) and (7), which enable police officers to issue penalty notices under the Public Health Act 2010 in addition to other authorised officers, and enable the Minister to impose conditions of the exercise of those powers by authorised officers, including police officers, under that Act,

(g) to amend the Subordinate Legislation Act 1989 to postpone the repeal of the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 to 1 September 2024.

LA: Notice of Motion 22/02/22
LA: 1R 23/02/22, 2R 23/02/22, 22/03/22, Passed 22/03/22
LC: 1R 22/03/22, 2R 22/03/22, Passed 22/03/22

Assent 24/03/22, Act No. 6 of 2022.

Commencement: This Act commences on the date of assent to this Act.

Download: Bill | 2R Speech

Return to top

If you have any issues viewing this e-mail, please contact LexisNexis Capital Monitor on 02 6100 0801 or help@capmon.com

Subscribe | Unsubscribe | Privacy Statement | Contact Us | Twitter | Linkedin

© 2022 LexisNexis Capital Monitor

COPYRIGHT WARNING: This Newsletter is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced, copied or redistributed, in part or in whole, without the express permission of LexisNexis Capital Monitor.

WARNING - This email is confidential and may contain copyright material. If you are not the intended recipient of LexisNexis Capital Monitor original e-mail, please notify by return e-mail, delete your copy of the message, and accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused. Republication or re-dissemination, including posting to news groups or web pages, is strictly prohibited without the express prior consent of LexisNexis Capital Monitor. © 2022 Reed International Books Australia Pty Ltd  (ABN 70 001 002 357) trading as LexisNexis. LexisNexis and the Knowledge Burst logo are registered trademarks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., and used under license.