WHAT AMA VICTORIA MEMBERS ARE TELLING US
The top three issues this week:
- A lack of consistent access to personal protective equipment
- Members experiencing difficulties accessing the flu vaccination
- Members asking us if SafeScript remains mandatory during the COVID-19 pandemic
WHAT WE’RE DOING TO ADVOCATE ON THESE ISSUES
Personal Protective Equipment
AMA has advocated urgently for more PPE to both state and federal governments for many weeks.
In good news, the Commonwealth ordered hundreds of millions of masks, gowns, and goggles and these are now arriving in the country on an almost daily basis. AMA has received reassurances that, as the stock of PPE improves, the Commonwealth will expand its availability beyond those areas currently prioritised.
As of yesterday, eleven million masks will be distributed to healthcare workers including 2.3 million for primary health networks, 7 million for hospitals and 160,000 for respiratory clinics.
Behind the scenes at a state level, as a result of discussions with the Victorian Department of Health (DHHS) and Safer Care Victoria, a taskforce has been established to improve the management and the distribution of PPE across the state.
Whilst this is promising, we know access issues across the system remain.
Until this issue is resolved on the ground across the system, we will continue to advocate on behalf of members.
Furthermore, let us all be clear that no doctor should be exposed to the risk of COVID-19 without adequate PPE.
Flu vaccinations
The issue of vaccination supplies have been raised via both the Federal and State Health Minister’s this week who have replied that this is a priority for them. They have also informed AMA Victoria that there were 13 million doses purchased for the National Immunisation Program (NIP), and that there are currently delays in delivery arising from both the earlier deployment of the vaccine this year along with possible manufacturing delays. However, if there is a continuing lack of supply then the AMA will advocate for the Government to order more vaccine and accelerate vaccine manufacturing accordingly.
SafeScript
As you would know, use of SafeScript became mandatory from 1st April 2020.
AMA Victoria has advocated (with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia) for a delay to the mandatory introduction of SafeScript due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Whilst our organisations fully support harm minimisation and the safety of our patients, we believe that during these unprecedented times, our members and colleagues should be supported to apply their focus and energy on the immediate challenges before them.
Unfortunately Victoria’s Health Minister has not agreed to this. The Minister’s position is that it is important that health care practitioners take all reasonable steps to check SafeScript if they can.
AMA Victoria will continue to advocate strongly for members so that DHHS clearly understands the challenges faced by our members and their teams to ensure that any compliance and other regulatory measures have consideration of the current circumstances the health profession is facing.
If you find yourself in a position where SafeScript penalties are being imposed upon you during the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact us so that we can advocate on your behalf.
These issues should be raised with Ms Taryn Sheehy, AMA Victoria’s Director of Communication and Advocacy via email in the first instance: taryns@amavic.com.au.
Please note that to facilitate the supply of medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce regulatory burden on prescribers, the following public health emergency orders have come into effect. For further information about the public health emergency orders, prescribers should read the advice documents and gazette notices found here.
Please see advice for prescribers here.
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