Submissions are prepared on behalf of and in consultation with members and are aimed at driving change to legislation and State and Commonwealth policy.
The VHA is pleased to respond to the consultation on the draft Health and Human Services Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2022-2026. The VHA captured sector feedback on the Plan from attendees representing hospitals, community health, emergency, dental and small rural health services. Feedback demonstrated that climate adaptation is already underway across the public health sector, and the sector is keen for additional government support to deliver climate change adaptation actions.
DownloadThe VHA is pleased to respond to the consultation to contribute to the development of the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act. The development of the Act, as envisioned by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, is an opportunity to drive the changes required to improve mental health care in the state. While we broadly support many of the elements of the proposed Act set out in the engagement paper, the VHA does have concerns about some missing areas from the Act as it is currently articulated.
DownloadThe VHA is pleased to respond to the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority’s (IHPA) consultation on the Pricing Framework for Australian Public Hospital Services 2022–23 (referred to as NEP22). While we provide further insight on other issues, the VHA’s key focus is on how the effects of COVID-19, direct and indirect, will be encapsulated in the pricing for NEP22. It is vital that NEP22 accurately reflects the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the cost of care, as this sets a precedent for how the pricing framework will reflect the ongoing effects of the pandemic on health services.
DownloadThe VHA welcomes the development of the National Preventive Health Strategy and in particular its commitment to increasing long term, sustainable investment in prevention. We do, however, recommend further work is completed to ensure that national policy aligns and supports state-based approaches to prevention. We strongly agree that preventive practice should be embedded across health systems, but the experience and expertise of health promotion practitioners should be recognised and provide guidance across the health sector relating to varying roles and types of activities.
DownloadThe VHA supports the proposed State Disability Plan 2021-2025. However, it is important that the State Disability Plan, and its proposed activity, are aligned with the wider reform environment, such as the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and building on any success from service provision during the pandemic. It is also vital that health services, some of whom are disability providers while others face the impact of shortfalls in disability care, are appropriately engaged during implementation of the relevant processes included in the new State Disability Plan, including the review of the Disability Act 2006 and any attempt to close gaps with the NDIS interface.
DownloadThe submission for the proposed duty of candour law is based on consultation with legal advisors from VHA member services. The duty should lead to positive outcomes that do not result in an increased administrative burden on health services and their clinical staff, especially following the pressures on the Victorian health system due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This pre-budget submission is focused on recovery and avoiding a return to the status quo and the ‘old normal’. The learnings of 2020 coupled with the prospect of a reimagined public health system offers many opportunities to create a fit-for-purpose system in a ‘COVID-normal’ and post pandemic world.
This pre-budget submission builds on the submission made by the VHA on behalf of its members in August 2020. It reflects on how we can implement the learnings from recent challenges to recover and build resilience simultaneously within the Victorian health sector and the communities it serves.
DownloadThis submission on the proposed health information sharing legislative reform includes recommendations based on feedback received in consultation with our members.
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