Submissions are prepared on behalf of and in consultation with members, aimed at driving change to legislation and State and Commonwealth policy.
The VHA has made a submission to the Aged Care Worker Regulation Scheme Consultation. With Victorian public aged care providers already operating in a stressed workforce environment, some proposals explored in this consultation have the potential to add further strain to the situation. The VHA supports the introduction of a screening and/or register process to increase consumer and public confidence in the aged care workforce and suggests concurrent initiatives to support the implementation of a screening and registration scheme, acknowledging this approach would place additional burden on staff and providers.
DownloadThe VHA and its members support the extension of long service leave (LSL) portability to workers who have not had access to this entitlement, such as cleaners and security workers. However, the VHA continues to oppose the inclusion of community health centres in the scheme on the basis that community health centres already provide portability and a higher rate of leave entitlements to their employees. In addition, the cost of compliance for community health centres will be greater than other sectors due to the unprecedented processing of dual LSL entitlements.
DownloadThe VHA has made a submission to the Royal Commission to support their inquiry into: ‘what the Australian government can do to strengthen the system of aged care services to ensure that the services provided are of high quality and safe and ensure that aged care services are person-centred.’ The submission to support the Counsel Assisting’s recommendations on residential aged care workforce provides a response across two key areas including mandatory minimum staffing requirements and funding for increased staff levels and reporting.
DownloadThe VHA represented Victorian public sector health services and community health services at a stakeholder consultation forum in Melbourne aimed at testing and refining the current set of drafted potential solutions for the National Medical Workforce Strategy. The VHA also made a written submission to the Department of Health to ensure the proposed solutions benefit and support the needs of health services and community health services across the state and do not result in any unintended consequences, particularly for regional and rural services.
DownloadThe VHA has made a submission on the Mission Roadmap as the Federal Government seeks to prioritise funding for critical dementia and aged care research that aims to support older Australians to maintain their health and quality of life as they age, live independently for longer and access quality care when they need.
DownloadWhile the VHA is calling on the Victorian Government to provide an immediate ‘band aid’ of funding to enable the system to function effectively in the short-term, few would agree that continuous increases in funding is sustainable nor would many agree that injections of funds is appropriate without fundamental shifts in the way care is delivered. The VHA calls on the government to fund new approaches now, focused on wellness and a holistic view of a person, to relieve pressure and better plan for demand of the future.
DownloadThe VHA and Mental Health Victoria have collaborated on a submission to the Productivity Commission’s draft report on Australia’s mental health system. The submission covers the breadth of the mental health system, and the other parts of the public health and social service systems that it commonly interacts with.
DownloadThe VHA calls on the Australian Government to offer an opportunity to create change that ensures equitable access to health and disability care for all Australians in its 2020-21 Budget.
DownloadThe VHA has contributed to the DHHS consultation on nurse practitioner prescribing arrangements.
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