Policy and Advocacy Library
The library is the culmination of the collaborative work of RACP members and comprises a comprehensive range of evidence-based, published RACP position statements, policies and submissions.
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Topic
Child health and young adult medicine
Description
The RACP's submission to the Climate Change Amendment (Duty of Care and Intergenerational Climate Equity) Bill reinforces our commitment to protecting health from the adverse impacts of climate change. Our submission highlights the importance of protecting current and future generations of children from the health impacts of climate change, and the role the Bill can play.
Description
The RACP submitted a response to the Senate Inquiry into the Middle Arm Industrial Precinct that emphasises the health harms of fossil fuels, both directly and through their significant contribution to climate change. The submission underscored the urgent need for a swift transition to renewable energy sources, highlighting the potential health benefits that such a transition would bring, including reduced air pollution, minimised occupational and environmental health hazards for workers involved in fossil fuel extraction, and mitigation of the adverse health impacts associated with climate change.
Description
This submission has a strong focus on the impact of MRAC’s recommendation 9: restrict initial specialist consults to only face-to-face on our members and their patients, especially those living in rural and remote areas. It articulates member concerns around reduced patient access and care and provides specific examples to clarify the need for telehealth for initial specialist consults in some circumstances. It recommends the reinstatement of full range of phone-based specialist consults and the retainment of current video-based initial specialist consults.
Description
The RACP believes that currently, the Discussion Paper fails to properly address the issue of equity, and its many implications in the use of artificial intelligence. While the Discussion Paper aptly considers other issues, it would be greatly improved by the inclusion of a more comprehensive analysis of the way equity will interact with the future use of artificial intelligence in healthcare.
Description
This submission focuses on the specific terms of reference of the Select Committee on Autism that are relevant to the work of RACP Fellows. The recommendations outlined within are based on consultation with RACP Fellows with specific expertise in Autism Spectrum Disorder, analysis of existing RACP policies in this area and consideration of national and international guidelines for best practise.
Description
The RACP Submission advocates for a proactive approach to crisis response, focused on prevention, preparedness, and resilience through strengthening healthcare systems and creating resilient communities. It emphasises the crucial role of health services as anchor institutions in crisis preparedness, response and recovery; First Nations sovereignty and knowledge in bioregional responses to disaster and recovery and the important role Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services play; and the importance of national coordination in building community climate resilience and capacity.
The Submission also calls for tailored crisis responses involving primary and specialist care; utilising the expertise of healthcare practitioners in crisis responses; building an effective and robust health sector that is well equipped to prepare, respond and recover from crisis; establishing a nationally coordinated surge health and medical workforce; and delivering a well-funded Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) to support crisis response and recovery. These recommendations pave the way for a more robust healthcare system which supports a resilient Australia that can withstand the challenges of climate change and other crises.
Description
In September 2023, the RACP provided a submission to the Department of Health and Aged Care as part of foundational work to develop a new Aged Care Act. This addresses the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety finding that the current Aged Care Act 1997 is no longer fit for purpose. Members from a range of relevant specialties, including in particular geriatric medicine, contributed insights to ensure the new Act improves the provision of health care services to older people. The submission precedes the Department’s development of a planned Exposure Bill.
Topic
Occupational and environmental health
Description
RACP-AFOEM and the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) prepared a joint submission to the Senate Community Affairs Committee inquiry on the National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry Bill 2023 and associated consequential amendments Bill. To establish a National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry, an issue on which there has been sustained advocacy led by AFOEM since 2018, the necessary legislation must be established. The joint submission conveyed information on the elements considered essential in the Legislation to ensure the Registry is fit for purpose from the physician perspective.
Description
This College submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport Inquiry into Diabetes outlines the policies and interventions that are needed to reduce escalating rates of type 2 diabetes and obesity linked to complex obesogenic factors. The submission also discusses ways to improve the health and wellbeing of patients living with these chronic conditions.
Description
The RACP wrote to the Prime Minister about the health harms of fossil fuels. We outline the significant impacts of climate change on health and the environmental impacts of fossil fuel combustion and extraction, including air pollution and water contamination. The letter also shares the RACP’s submission on the National Health and Climate Strategy and highlights the need for cross-government action to facilitate an urgent transition to renewable energy.
