Australian Health Protection Principal Committee
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Australian Health Protection Committee (AHPC) is the peak decision-making committee for public health emergency management and disease control in the Commonwealth of Australia.[1][2] It is chaired by the Chief Medical Officer of the Australian Government and comprises the chief health officers of the states and territories.[3]
- National Public Health Partnership
- Professor Michael Kidd, Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer (chair)
Secretariat: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
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| Committee overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2 July 2009 |
Preceding Committee |
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Committee executive |
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Parent department | Governance: National Cabinet Secretariat: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing |
| Website | www |
The AHPC's stated function (according to website as of November 2020[update]) is to provide advice to the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council (AHMAC) "on health protection matters and national priorities",[3] and AHMAC formerly supported the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Health Council.[4] However, since the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, the AHPC has provided advice directly to the National Cabinet.[5][6][7]
History and role
The AHPC was established by the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council (AHMAC) on 2 July 2009 to provide expert advice on high-level and intergovernmental coordination of public health emergency management.[8] The AHPC is tasked with providing advice on health protection in the context of emerging health threats, infectious disease, environmental health, and natural disasters. The AHPC also collaborates with state and territory governments to develop consistency and standards for national health protection.[8]
The AHPC is also responsible for authorising the deployment of the Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT).[9]
COVID-19 pandemic
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the AHPC has provided expert advice to the National Security Committee, the Cabinet of Australia, and the National Cabinet of Australia.[10][5][6] The National COVID-19 Health and Research Advisory Committee was established in April 2020 to provide advice on Australia's health response to the COVID-19 pandemic to the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer and the AHPC.[11]
Membership
The AHPC is chaired by the Chief Medical Officer of the Australian Government and as of November 2020[update] comprises the Chief Health Officers of the State and Territory Governments.[3] It previously included (as of at least 2017) nominated health disaster officials, the chairs of the AHPC standing committees, a representative from Emergency Management Australia of the Department of Home Affairs, the Surgeon-General of the Australian Defence Force, a representative from the New Zealand Ministry of Health, and other public health and clinical experts.[12][13]
| Jurisdiction | Position | Office holder |
|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth | Chief Medical Officer and Director of Human Biosecurity (chair) | Michael Kidd |
| New South Wales | Chief Health Officer and Deputy Secretary Population and Public Health | Kerry Chant[14][15] |
| Victoria | Chief Health Officer | Dr Caroline McElnay[16] |
| Queensland | Chief Health Officer | Dr Marianne Gale[17] |
| Western Australia | Chief Health Officer | Andrew Robertson[18] |
| South Australia | Chief Public Health Officer | Nicola Spurrier[19] |
| Tasmania | Chief Health Officer | Dr Dinesh Arya[20] |
| Australian Capital Territory | Chief Health Officer | Kerryn Coleman[21][22][23] |
| Northern Territory | Chief Health Officer | Paul Burgess[24][25][26] |
| Jurisdiction | Position | Office holder |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Defence Force | Surgeon-General and Commander Joint Health | Rear Admiral Sarah Sharkey |
| Commonwealth | Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer | Alison McMillan |
| Commonwealth | Deputy Chief Medical Officer | Jenny Firman |
| Commonwealth | Deputy Chief Medical Officer | Dr Claire Behm |
Standing committee oversight
The AHPC also provides strategic direction and support to five standing committees:[3][8]
- Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA)
- National Health Emergency Management Standing Committee (NHEMS)
- Public Health Laboratory Network (PHLN)
- Environmental Health Standing Committee (enHealth)
- Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmitted Infections Standing Committee (BBVSS)
As of November 2020[update] it also oversees one time-limited advisory group, the Aged Care Advisory Group.[3]
Secretariat
The Office of Health Protection of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing provides secretariat support functions for the AHPC and its standing committees.[8]
