Seeking your input:
SARRAH advocates strongly for the interests of rural and remote allied health and for these to be a fundamental consideration in national health and related service strategy design, oversight and development of integrated policy, program and service design. The value of allied health in addressing service gaps, demographic and population health trends needs to be better understood by decision-makers and funders.
To this end, SARRAH puts considerable effort into providing submissions to government and other inquiries and consultation processes. Those submissions are always better, and potentially more influential, when they are informed by the expertise and knowledge of our members. We encourage you contribute. A short email or a quick phone conversation on a subject of direct concern to you can be extremely valuable in these processes. If you’d like to contribute, please contact allan@sarrah.org.au.
The list of submissions we contributed to during 2021-22 can be found on page 20 of the SARRAH 2021-22 Annual Report.
CONSULTATIONS
The ACSQHC is updating the National Consensus Statement: Essential elements for safe and high-quality end-of-life care. The Consensus Statement sets out suggested practices when providing end-of-life care in all relevant healthcare settings. You can view the revised version here. Importantly, the updated Consensus Statement broadens the scope beyond hospitals, to include Primary and Community Health Care and residential aged care settings. The Commission would like your feedback on the draft Statement through a short online survey which is open until 14 January 2023.
The National Dementia Action Plan is a joint initiative of the Australian Government and state and territory governments. It is a 10 year plan to put people living with dementia, their families, and carers at the centre of all action on dementia.
The consultation paper is available in several formats - summary of the consultation paper (15 pages); consultation paper on a page; and consultation paper (70 pages). You can provide feedback by completing an online survey (approx 15 mins) or by emailing dementiaplan@health.gov.au. The consultation closes on 23 January 2023. This information is also on the Department of Health and Aged Care’s consultation hub.
The National Mental Health Commission is developing a National Stigma and Discrimination Reduction Strategy to address mental health-related stigma and discrimination. The Draft Strategy is available for input and feedback, with input due by 1 February 2023. The Commissioner invites you to provide your feedback via an online survey on proposed actions and/or by uploading a submission.
If you have questions, please reach out via email to StigmaStrategy@mentalhealthcommission.gov.au.
The Senate Community Affairs References Committee is inquiring into the extent and nature of poverty in Australia, with a report due by 31 October 2023. The Terms of Reference include – to quote: (c) the impact of poverty on individuals in relation to: (i) employment outcomes, (ii) housing security, (iii) health outcomes, and (iv) education outcomes. Further detail about the scope of the inquiry is provided in the terms of reference. Submissions are sought by 3 February 2023.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has commenced a comprehensive review of ANZSCO to reflect the contemporary Australian labour market and better meet stakeholders’ needs. SARRAH has flagged this previously. Further information on how to participate in the upcoming consultations is now available. Resources for the ANZSCO are available at Updating ANZSCO. Contact anzsco.maintenance@abs.gov.au if you would like to subscribe to receive communication on the ANZSCO update.
The Joint Standing Committee (JSC) on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Submissions close on 30 June 2023 Inquiry into and report on general issues around the implementation, performance, governance, administration and expenditure of the NDIS
CONSULTATION REMINDERS: CLOSING SOON
The Autism Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) is updating the National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Australia, which was the first national autism practice guideline in Australia. The CRC is inviting contributions to the update through an online survey that asks about your views about assessment and diagnosis. The survey closes 5pm AEST on Monday 5 December, 2022. Details can be found here.
The Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia will inquire into and report on Northern Australia's workforce development - considering the impediments to building the economic and social infrastructure and workforce needed to support economic development. Submissions are due by 9 December.
South Australia - Burns Clinical Prioritisation Criteria (CPC) for both adult and paediatric services - released for consultation and feedback. The SA Chief Medical Officer has invited SARRAH to contribute by providing feedback on the Burns CPC, which is available on the Clinical Prioritisation Criteria website. Input can be provided to SARRAH (to allan@sarrah.org.au, as soon as possible) or directly via health.cpc@sa.gov.au. Consultation is open until Friday 9 December 2022.
Closing the Gap Review: Review paper 2: Proposed approach and invitation to engage with the review: Review paper 2 outlines how you can contact the Productivity Commission to share your views on their planned approach to assessing progress of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and how it is implemented. Submissions are due by 12 December 2022. To make a submission or comment visit www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/closing-the-gap-review. You can email the Commission at CTG.Review@pc.gov.au.
The Joint Standing Committee (JSC) on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Inquiry into the Capability and Culture of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) - Submissions closing 16 December 2022.
Inquiry into and report on general issues around the implementation, performance, governance, administration and expenditure of the NDIS - Submissions close on 30 June 2023
Cancer Australia is inviting your feedback on the public consultation for the Australian Cancer Plan (ACP), which sets a 10-year plan to improve outcomes. Cancer Australia is calling for coordinated system-wide engagement and inviting comment on a on the strategy, priority areas, objectives and actions in cancer control. To view the draft Australian Cancer Plan and provide feedback, visit engage.australiancancerplan.gov.au. Public consultation will close on 16 December 2022.
The Commonwealth Government review of the Disability Services Act. The Act governs how the Government provides services for people with disability to improve their independence and participate in community and economic life. The new Act will also provide a basis for continued supports and services outside the NDIS for people living with disability, and support priorities in Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-31, the national disability policy framework. (See the separate submission process on the Strategy, below).
Consultation on the Disability Services Act is open until 20 December 2022. More details are available at DSS Engage.
Review of the NDIS. You are invited to “Have your say” online by 5 pm Saturday 31 December 2022. A supporting paper is available at Our Approach. There is also a summary version and an Easy Read version (PDF 1 MB). The Review team also indicate you can “contact us” if you need more time.
