Health and Ageing
Human Genetics Advisory Committee — establishment
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Ageing | 1.2 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 2.0 |
The Government will provide $7.6 million over four years to establish and fund the activities of the Human Genetics Advisory Committee, a new Principal Committee of the National Health and Medical Research Council.
The Human Genetics Advisory Committee will provide high-level technical and strategic advice to the Government on the ethical, legal and social implications (including any impact on human rights) of current and emerging issues in human genetics. The Committee will provide leadership in managing the process of change relating to human genetics, develop policy statements and national guidelines in this area and assist relevant bodies to identify research priorities.
Increasing Care and Diversity for Older Australians — continue funding
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $29.2 million over four years to continue the additional funding for the Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care programme, the Continence Aids Assistance Scheme and the Day Therapy Centres. It will also enable the managed wind-down of the Safe at Home pilot. Personal alarms will continue to be available to new clients under the Home and Community Care Programme and through Community Aged Care Packages, consistent with the Government’s community care reform process under ‘The Way Forward’.
These programmes will continue to meet their goal of assisting older Australians to remain living in the community for longer.
This measure involves funding of $7.5 million in 2005-06, $7.7 million in 2006-07, $7.8 million in 2007-08 and $6.2 million in 2008-09. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
Independent National Influenza Centre
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Ageing | 13.7 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 3.2 |
The Government will provide $23.2 million over four years to relocate Australia’s World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza (WHOCC) with upgraded facilities and resources, and establish it as an independent advisory and information body. This will ensure that Australia continues to host this important centre, which has developed world leading expertise in influenza. As the only WHOCC in the Southern Hemisphere, Australia’s centre plays a significant role in ensuring Australia remains at the forefront of global developments with the influenza virus.
Macular Degeneration Foundation — grant
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Ageing | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
The Government will provide $0.5 million over four years to the Macular Degeneration Foundation to undertake research, education and public awareness raising activities about macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is a common eye disease affecting the central part of the retina that causes progressive loss of central vision.
Medicare — increase in thresholds for Medicare Safety Net
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Ageing | -50.6 | -135.3 | -149.8 | -160.8 |
| Health Insurance Commission | -0.1 | -0.8 | -0.8 | -0.9 |
| Total | -50.7 | -136.1 | -150.7 | -161.7 |
From 1 January 2006, the Government will restore the Medicare Safety Net thresholds to $500 for concession card holders and Family Tax Benefit (A) families, and to $1,000 for all other families and individuals, the levels originally proposed by the Government in 2004, leading to savings of $499.1 million over four years.
This measure will improve the sustainability of the Medicare Safety Net. Under the Medicare Safety Net, patients are subsidised at the rate of 80 per cent of out-of-hospital out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Benefits Schedule items over set thresholds.
National Blood Authority — additional funding
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Blood Authority | 2.8 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.2 |
| Related capital ($m) | ||||
| National Blood Authority | 0.4 | 0.4 | - | - |
The Government will provide $11.2 million over four years (including $0.8 million in capital funding) to expand the current operations of the National Blood Authority to enable it to meet its obligations under the National Blood Authority Act 2003 and the National Blood Agreement.
The states and territories will contribute $6.6 million over four years in line with cost-sharing arrangements in place under the National Blood Agreement.
National Illicit Drugs Strategy — additional funding for the National Illicit Drugs Campaign
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Ageing | 0.9 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide an additional $0.9 million in 2005-06 for the National Illicit Drugs Campaign, which commenced on 17 April 2005, and is aimed at preventing young people from using illicit drugs. Through an enhanced media campaign and a help line, the additional funding will help to extend the reach of the campaign’s messages to young Australians and will assist in providing greater support to parents through information booklets.
Since 1997, the Government has spent approximately $1 billion on the National Illicit Drug Strategy across a number of portfolios. In 2004-05, $107.6 million was allocated to the Health and Ageing portfolio for the Strategy.
National Illicit Drugs Strategy — Australian National Council on Drugs — additional funding
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Ageing | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | - |
The Government will provide an additional $1.0 million over three years for the Australian National Council on Drugs. This additional funding is to cover increased costs associated with an expansion of the Council’s role.
The Council has pivotal advisory, advocacy and representative functions, and plays a significant role in providing Ministers with independent, expert advice on matters relating to licit and illicit drugs.
Since 1997, the Government has spent approximately $1 billion on the National Illicit Drug Strategy across a number of portfolios. In 2004-05, $107.6 million was allocated to the Health and Ageing portfolio for the Strategy.
National Illicit Drugs Strategy — National Drug and Alcohol Magazine
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $1.0 million over three years from 2005-06 to continue the production and distribution of the National Drug and Alcohol Magazine, ‘Of Substance’. The magazine is provided free of charge to professionals working in the drug and alcohol sector, including law enforcement, education and medical professions.
The cost of this measure will be fully offset from within the existing resourcing of the Department of Health and Ageing.
Since 1997, the Government has spent approximately $1 billion on the National Illicit Drug Strategy across a number of portfolios. In 2004-05, $107.6 million was allocated to the Health and Ageing portfolio for the Strategy.
National Illicit Drugs Strategy — Non-Government Organisation Treatment Grants Programme — additional funding
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | 6.0 | 6.0 | - |
The Government will provide $12.0 million over two years from 2006-07 to continue the Non-Government Organisation Treatment Grants Programme.
This programme provides funding for treatment services for users of illicit drugs with a particular emphasis on filling gaps in service coverage. Approximately 170 services around Australia are currently funded. The programme will increase the total number of treatment places available and strengthen the capacity of non-government organisations to achieve improved service outcomes. This funding will help ensure that existing services continue to operate until the end of 2007-08.
Since 1997, the Government has spent approximately $1 billion on the National Illicit Drug Strategy across a number of portfolios. In 2004-05, $107.6 million was allocated to the Health and Ageing portfolio for the Strategy.
National Illicit Drugs Strategy — termination of the retractable needles and syringes technology initiative
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Ageing | -12.9 | -13.2 | -12.4 | -12.7 |
The Government will cease funding for the Retractable Needles and Syringes Technology initiative as clinical trials have raised health and safety concerns in relation to the technology and the safe disposal of needles and syringes in public places. The resulting savings have been redirected to other initiatives.
National Immunisation Programme — childhood varicella vaccine
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Ageing | 15.0 | 19.4 | 19.7 | 19.7 |
| Health Insurance Commission | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 |
| Total | 15.8 | 19.8 | 20.0 | 20.0 |
| Related capital ($m) | ||||
| Health Insurance Commission | 0.5 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $77.2 million over five years (including $1.1 million in 2004-05) to fund childhood varicella (chickenpox) vaccination under the National Immunisation Programme. This includes capital funding of $1.1 million over two years (including $0.6 million in 2004-05).
Following a recommendation by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, the Government will fund varicella vaccinations for children from 1 November 2005. This will provide free varicella vaccinations for all 18-month-old children. The programme also includes a catch-up element, which provides vaccinations for 10 to 13 year old children who have not received a varicella vaccination or who have not previously contracted the disease.
Further information can be found in the press release of 7 March 2005 issued by the Minister for Health and Ageing.
National Immunisation Programme — replacement of oral polio vaccine with inactivated polio vaccine
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Ageing | 11.5 | 16.9 | 16.6 | 16.2 |
| Health Insurance Commission | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Total | 11.6 | 17.0 | 16.6 | 16.3 |
The Government will replace oral polio vaccine with inactivated polio vaccine under the National Immunisation Programme at a cost of $61.6 million over four years.
Following a recommendation by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, the Australian Government will fund the inactivated polio vaccine from 1 November 2005. This will reduce the risk of a case of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis, a rare condition associated with the Oral Polio Vaccine, which on average occurs once every 2.4 million doses. It will also allow the use of a new six-in-one combination vaccine, so that many babies will be able to have one fewer injections at 2 and 4 months.
Further information can be found in the press release of 7 March 2005 issued by the Minister for Health and Ageing.
National Immunisation Programme Support Activities
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Ageing | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.3 |
The Government will provide $27.0 million (including an additional $5.0 million) over four years to continue the National Immunisation Programme Support Activities.
National Immunisation Programme Support Activities provide the necessary infrastructure to support the National Immunisation Programme through the operations of the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register, the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine-preventable Diseases and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. Support activities also involve provision of services such as the Immunise Australia infoline and website.
This measure will extend the existing funding of $5.5 million in 2005-06, $5.4 million in 2006-07, $5.5-million in 2007-08 and $5.6 million in 2008-09. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
National Integrated Diabetes Programme — maintain funding
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - |
| Health Insurance Commission | - | - | - | - |
| Total | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $44.2 million over four years to continue a national approach to improve prevention and management of diabetes through general practice. This programme provides incentives to general practitioners for early diagnosis and effective management of diabetes using an annual cycle of care, and other support measures for diabetes care. The annual cycle of care ensures that diabetics receive the most clinically appropriate treatment throughout the year to help prevent future complications with the disease.
This measure involves funding of $19.0 million in 2005-06, $10.9 million in 2006-07, $6.9 million in 2007-08 and $7.5 million in 2008-09. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
National Rural and Remote Health Support Programme — continue funding
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Ageing | -1.1 | -1.1 | -1.1 | - |
The Government will provide $17.2 million over three years to continue to improve the recruitment and retention of health professionals in rural and remote areas.
The National Rural and Remote Health Support Programme provides grants to support innovative models of rural health care delivery and nurse training, scholarships for ongoing professional development and education, and professional support including advice and funding to professional organisations, local professional education and training activities.
This measure involves funding of $5.6 million in 2005-06, $5.7 million in 2006-07 and $5.9 million in 2007-08. Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
Funding of $3.4 million over three years for the Postgraduate and Enrolled Nurse to Registered Nurse Scheme (currently funded through the National Rural and Remote Health Support Programme) will be transferred from this activity to the Rural Nursing Scholarship Programme measure.
National Tobacco Youth Campaign
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Ageing | 3.8 | 7.8 | 6.8 | 6.6 |
The Government will provide $25.0 million over four years to develop and implement a new national health promotion campaign to help reduce tobacco use among young people. The campaign will involve a combination of mass media and community education anti-smoking messages. Counselling services and websites will be developed in close collaboration with state and territory Quit services.
The National Tobacco Youth Campaign will help to strengthen young people’s resolve to enjoy tobacco free lifestyles in line with Australia’s commitment to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Office of the Gene Technology Regulator — continue funding
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Ageing | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.2 |
| Related capital ($m) | ||||
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | .. | - | - |
The Government will provide $32.0 million over four years (including $15,000 in capital funding in 2006-07) to continue to fund the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator.
The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator is responsible for regulating the development and use of genetically modified organisms to protect the health and safety of Australians and the Australian environment.
Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee — immunisation advisory role
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Ageing | 1.7 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
The Government will provide $7.8 million over four years to extend the role of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee to include providing advice to Government on vaccines to be funded under the National Immunisation Programme.
From 1 January 2006, the funding advisory function of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation will transfer to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee in order to strengthen cost-effectiveness evaluations of vaccines, and streamline the process for considering vaccines funded under the National Immunisation Programme and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. In addition, the vaccine price evaluation function will be transferred from the Department of Health and Ageing to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Pricing Authority.