Department of Health, WA

Your feedback about the Public Health Amendment (Immunisation Requirements for Enrolment) Bill 2019. Thank you for your input.

You provided valuable feedback.

Your feedback contributed to the Decision Regulatory Impact Statement. This document has now been completed and can be accessed at https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/immunisationenrolment

The Bill was introduced into Parliament in May 2019.

Any queries can be directed to immunisation@health.wa.gov.au

The WA Men’s Health and Wellbeing Policy was developed to provide direction to the WA health system and its partners to deliver strategies that improve the physical, mental, social and emotional wellbeing of men and boys living in WA.

We asked for feedback on the draft Policy to inform and guide its development.

A series of community consultation forums also occurred from June to August 2018 and provided an opportunity for face-to-face feedback in addition to the online survey.

A total of 107 responses were received via the online survey from various stakeholders groups. The online survey generated nearly 500 separate comments that were accurately processed, analysed and considered.  

Seventy seven per cent of respondents provided their views in the survey as an individual, with the remainder expressing views on behalf of a group or organisation.

Feedback from respondents showed there was broad support for the Policy’s guiding principles, vision, purpose, goals, priority populations and areas for action.

The feedback highlighted a variety of other priority population groups to consider for possible inclusion in the Policy, the need for a condensed version of the document and the importance of implementation and monitoring.

Health Networks re-drafted the Policy to incorporate the consultation feedback with guidance from the WA Men’s Health and Wellbeing Policy Reference Group.

The Policy was launched in Men’s Health Week (10-16 June 2019). A copy of the Policy and a Summary Document is available from 

https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/U_Z/WA-Mens-Health-and-Wellbeing-Policy

Thank you to everyone interested in men’s health who participated in the consultation of the draft WA Men’s Health and Wellbeing Policy.

For further information on the WA Men’s Health and Wellbeing Policy, please contact Health Networks on 9222 0200 or email  healthpolicy@health.wa.gov.au.

People were asked a series of questions about their thoughts on the health status report and objectives and policy priorities outlined in the Interim State Public Health Plan. A total of 63 responses were received from various stakeholder groups. Local government represented 33 per cent of responses received. 

Data

• A number of submissions highlighted the absence of data and information around social, economic and environmental determinants of health and wellbeing and requested stronger links on how these determinants relate to health inequities and poorer health outcomes. 
• It was suggested that, if possible, data needs to be presented by age group, Aboriginal status, Cultural and Linguistic Diversity status, region, other priority populations e.g. refugees, people with disability
• Submissions also requested easier access to data and sharing of data across departments, health profiles, preferably at the suburb or local government level, to be made available online, and a list of available data sources for local government to use when preparing their public health plans

Objectives and priorities

• There was overall support for the three priorities identified in the Interim Plan, particularly the focus on Aboriginal Health.
• Mental health was clearly identified across a number of submissions as the most notable omission. This was closely followed by drugs other than alcohol and tobacco, including use of illicit drugs and misuse of pharmaceuticals.

Partnerships and other suggestions

• Overall, respondents were positive about the Interim Plan. However a number of submissions indicated that the Interim Plan should include targets, action plan, tangible outcomes, clarification on the types of evidence based programmes and initiatives that local government can implement at a local level to support the objectives and priorities and clarification on the role and expectation of State Government and Local Government when it relates to public health interventions.
• A number of submissions discussed the need to develop WA centric health indicators in order to better measure progress on objectives implemented. 
• Numerous respondents requested a list of health services, within the State that local government may seek to partner with.
• Resourcing was identified as a concern of local government, particularly when there is uncertainty about what local government is expected to do to support the objectives and policy priorities. 
• A number of submissions suggested further workshops or information, particularly targeting elected members and local government executives, to clarify roles and responsibilities relating to the local health plans and to dispel misinformation relating to ‘cost shifting’.

The CHO will consider the feedback received and use it to inform a revised State Public Health Plan. This process will involve:

• Reviewing the health status report to include information on any new public health priorities or objectives and, where feasible, responding to other data-related suggestions raised in the submissions.
• Partnering with mental health related bodies to discuss the potential inclusion of mental health in future State Public Health Plans.
• Partnering with relevant agencies to address the potential inclusion of priorities related to use of illicit drugs use.
• Ensuring that the Plan incorporates:
  • Targets, where possible.
  • An action plan that identifies tangible and achievable outcomes.
  • Clarification on the types of programmes and initiatives that local government can implement at a local level to support the objectives and priorities. 
• Develop information on:
  • what health services are available to support and partner with local government 
  • the role and expectation of State Government and Local Government when it relates to public health.