FEDERAL Health Minister Mark Butler yesterday launched a $2.8 billion plan towards "COVID normality", pledging to continue to support Australians who are impacted by COVID-19, but also transitioning to a requirement for a referral from a GP or nurse practitioner for PCR testing.
The new national plan "will ensure Australia's health system has the capacity and capability to respond to future waves and variants; promote uptake of vaccination and treatments; and slow the spread of transmission," Butler said, with a clear priority to minimise the incidence of death and severe illness with a particular focus on those most at risk.
Measures include a forward plan for vaccine procurement and administration, ensuring people can seek care in the community to take pressure off hospitals, and "empowering the community to make informed choices to protect themselves and their loved ones".
"Over 2023, Australia will transition to managing COVID-19 in a similar way to other respiratory viruses, moving away from COVID exceptionalism and bespoke arrangements," according to the executive summary in the formal National COVID-19 Health Management Plan.
Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, noted that the pandemic continues to throw up new challenges, warning the community that new waves of COVID-19 can be expected on a regular basis for at least the next two years.
"While vaccinations, antiviral treatments and the continuing public health response have provided strong protection to Australians against severe illness and death, the threat posed by COVID-19 continues to evolve.
"The Australian Government will continue to respond to these waves as they occur - with a particular focus on protecting those most at risk in our community," he said.
The document notes that the oral antiviral medications available on the PBS are being prescribed in increasing volumes to Australians who are most at risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19.
In particular, aged care services are urged to make sure their residents and care recipients can access antiviral treatment as soon as possible.
"Aged care services should have established links with primary care providers to rapidly assess residents and care recipients and community pharmacies to get rapid supply of medications," the paper urges.
The full plan is at health.gov.au.
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