Department of Health, WA

In November 2020 we launched the statutory review of the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006 (the Act) and the Tobacco Products Control Regulations 2006 (the Regulations).

We published a discussion paper which asked for views on the operation and effectiveness of the Act and the Regulations, if the legislation is achieving it’s purposes, and how it could be improved. We also sought stakeholder views on other evidence-based legislative reforms that could update and strengthen WA’s tobacco control legislation to ensure that it continues to meet its objectives.

A total of 53 submissions were received in response to the discussion paper.

Submissions were received from a wide range of respondents including members of the public, universities, industry stakeholders, nongovernment organisations and government departments. Submissions highlighted the varying perspectives and expectations that exist among different stakeholders regarding tobacco control legislation in Western Australia (WA).

A consultation report summarising the submissions was tabled in Parliament by the Minister for Health on 24 June 2021.

The consultation report can be viewed on the Parliament website.

Information gathered from this stage of the review will assist in identifying possible areas for further investigation to strengthen the operation and effectiveness of the WA Tobacco Products Control Act 2006 and the Regulations. Following the development of options for regulatory improvements further consultation will be undertaken to inform the Government’s decision making process.

The WA Health End-of-Life Care Program released draft high level strategies for Advance Care Planning (ACP) education and awareness raising amongst health professionals and the community for broad consultation in September to October 2020.

The survey asked for input on the comprehensiveness and anticipated effectiveness of the overall approach outlined by the strategies and sought to identify existing education, training and awareness raising initiatives that are of relevance to the strategies.

All members of the WA community were encouraged to have their say, with the invitation to participate circulated amongst a broad range of stakeholders including consumers and carers, community organisations, Government departments/areas, health and allied health professionals, health and legal services, and aged care providers.

Over 75 responses we received to the online survey.

Overall the feedback from the consultation was positive with 77% of respondents indicating they agreed/ strongly agreed that the strategies:

• were easy to understand
• outline an appropriate approach for advance care planning education, training and awareness in WA
• provide appropriate direction for future advance care planning education, training and awareness in WA.

As a result of the positive feedback, no strategies were removed but the following are some of the changes that were made:

• More examples of current related activities in WA and Australia were added
• The target population was clarified for some strategies where it was unclear
• The need to tailor strategies to populations and provide information in a variety of formats was emphasised
• The need to recognise existing resources and materials and adopt a coordinated approach where possible was noted
• A strong emphasis on a collaborative design approach for the development of resources and implementation planning of the strategies was supported
• The need to recognise the role that different professions play in supporting ACP varies, and education and training should reflect that.

Additional more-detailed feedback has been noted and recorded to inform the implementation phase.

Further background information was added to the document to provide clarity on the purpose, development process, and implementation (i.e. how it should be used and by who). A one-page summary has also been included. The final document is referred to as WA Health’s strategy for Advance Care Planning education and awareness raising: For health professionals and the community.

The first anniversary of the launch of the WA Men’s Health and Wellbeing Policy (the Policy) was celebrated during Men’s Health Week in June 2020.

A 12 Month Check-Up of the Policy was carried out to assist in understanding:

• the level of awareness of the Policy
• men’s health and wellbeing related activities that have been carried out in the previous 12 months
• any issues and/or opportunities regarding the Policy that have arisen.

An on-line survey was developed and was open for a period of five weeks (24 August - 25 September 2020). A total of 37 responses were received.

Overall, the feedback indicated that the majority of respondents were aware of the Policy and most people had some level of familiarity with its content. Despite the challenges of implementing the Policy (especially during the COVID-19 pandemic), a wide variety of men’s health and wellbeing events have occurred in the 12 months under review. The feedback was supportive of the purpose of the Policy as it provides a good framework to support the health and wellbeing of men and boys living in WA.

Your feedback was summarised in the WA Men’s Health and Wellbeing Policy: 12 Month Check-Up Report. A copy of the 12 Month Check-up Report is available on the WA Department of Health website.