Australian Government partnership with private health sector secures 30,000 hospital beds and 105,000 nurses and staff, to help fight COVID-19 pandemic

The Australian Government has partnered with the private hospital sector to ensure the full resources of our world class health system, are ready and focussed on treating patients as required, through the coronavirus pandemic. Our Government has guaranteed the viability and capacity of the private hospital sector, in an agreement that will ensure over 30,000…

Ensuring continued access to medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic

The Australian Government has approved a number of temporary changes to medicines regulation to ensure Australians can continue to access the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines they need, as the COVID-19 outbreak unfolds. We are also closely monitoring the impact of the pandemic on the supply of medicines, especially those manufactured overseas, so we can…

Increased flexibility for production of hand sanitiser to bolster supplies

The Australian Government Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has cut the red tape on the manufacturing of hand sanitiser, whilst maintaining strict safety requirements, to bolster supply in Australia. Currently, there is high demand for hand sanitiser in Australia’s health care system and hospital networks – particularly in rural and regional parts of the country. The…

Humanitarian agreement – Joondalup Health Campus

The Australian Government, with the cooperation of the West Australian Government and the private Joondalup Health Campus, have concluded a humanitarian agreement to provide care for the 29 passengers from the Artania Cruise ship who have tested positive for COVID-19. Federal Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said, “This humanitarian hospital care will be provided in…

COVID-19: Whole of population telehealth for patients, general practice, primary care and other medical specialists

To provide continued access to essential primary health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Government is expanding Medicare-subsidised telehealth services for all Australians and providing extra incentives to general practitioners and other health practitioners. These critical changes have been designed in partnership with key stakeholders in the sector including the Australian Medical Association, Australian…

Travel restrictions for remote areas commence tonight

The Australian Government is working in close collaboration with State and Territory Governments to help save Australian lives by stopping the spread of COVID-19.   Following agreement from the National Cabinet, the movement into certain remote areas is being restricted to protect some of our most vulnerable Australians.   From 11:59pm Thursday 26 March 2020,…

Australian Government text message regarding Coronavirus prevention steps

Starting today, every Australian mobile phone will be sent a text message from the Australian Government with important steps each person can take to protect their own health, the health of their families and the health of the whole community from the coronavirus.   As the spread of the coronavirus increases, it’s vital every Australian…

Government backs remote communities with COVID-19 support

The Australian Government is offering 45 flexible grants to help 110 remote communities across Australia protect themselves against COVID-19.   The grants are available as part of the Government’s $57.8 million Remote Community Preparedness and Retrieval package.   Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, said the Government was focused on ensuring remote Indigenous communities were prepared…

Training to help nurses re-enter the health workforce

The Australian Government will provide funding for registered nurses to undertake online education to enable them to re-enter the clinical workforce and assist with the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite swift action by Australian governments, the number of COVID-19 cases will continue to grow. It is likely that unprecedented demand for health care…

Mar252020

Mornington Service Centre to remain open

Centrelink and Medicare services will continue at 332 Main Street Mornington thanks to a six-month extension to its lease. Federal Member for Finders, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, said the extension creates certainty for Mornington Peninsula residents through both the health and economic implications of the coronavirus outbreak. “This is not a once in a…