Updated community advice on novel coronavirus

The Australian Government is updating its advice to the Australian Community regarding the Novel Coronavirus, which is based on the latest medical advice.   The updated advice to the Australian community follows new recommendations today from the Australian Government Chief Medical Officer on behalf of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC).   The AHPPC…

Sunrise interview with Samantha Armytage

E&OE…                       Topics: Coronavirus in Australia.   SAMANTHA ARMYTAGE: A family of four is now being tested in a Sydney hospital for coronavirus.   The tests come as health authorities confirmed a female university student has the potentially deadly bug.   The 21-year-old flew into Sydney from Wuhan last week, she’s the fourth person in…

Expanded access to cutting edge car T-Cell Therapy

Access to a cutting edge and potentially curative cancer therapy will be expanded for patients with particular forms of lymphoma, following a positive recommendation from the medical experts on the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC). Between 200 and 250 additional cancer patients with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma, Transformed Follicular Lymphoma and Primary Mediastinal B…

ABC Radio National Breakfast interview with Fran Kelly

E&OE…                       Topics: Coronavirus updates, crackdown on sugar and process foods, Bridget McKenzie’s future.   FRAN KELLY:         Urgent efforts are now underway to try and evacuate Australians trapped in Wuhan, the epicentre of a deadly outbreak of coronavirus.   It’s understood at least 100 Australian children are stranded in the Chinese province, which is in…

Update on novel coronavirus in Australia

Four cases of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) have now been confirmed in Australia – one in Victoria and three in New South Wales.   The first case was confirmed in Victoria yesterday, with the three in New South Wales confirmed later in the day.   The Commonwealth Department of Health is in close contact with Victorian…

First confirmed case of novel coronavirus in Australia

The first case of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has been confirmed by Victoria Health Authorities this morning. The Commonwealth Department of Health is in close contact with Victorian health authorities and has notified the World Health Organization. The patient, a man from Wuhan, flew to Melbourne from Guandong on 19 January. Minister for Health Greg Hunt…

Action on National Dust Disease Taskforce interim advice

The Morrison Government is acting to accept all five recommendations from the interim advice of the National Dust Disease Taskforce. There is an emerging trend of new cases of accelerated silicosis, a preventable occupational lung disease occurring in workers as a result of exposure to silica dust, in parts of Australia. This can occur in…

Statement – Department of Health Secretary

I join the Prime Minister in providing my deepest thanks to Ms Glenys Beauchamp PSM for her distinguished public service career which has spanned over 30 years.   Ms Glenys Beauchamp PSM has been an outstanding Secretary of the Department of Health since her appointment to the position in September 2017.   Ms Beauchamp has…

Building community confidence in 5G safety

The Morrison Government is investing $9 million over four years to build public confidence in the safety of telecommunications networks – including new 5G mobile networks – and to address misinformation about electromagnetic energy (EME) emissions which has caused concern in some parts of the community.   New initiatives include additional scientific research and further…