A national long COVID and COVID-19 database is among the key recommendations of a unanimous report released by a parliamentary Committee for its inquiry into long COVID and repeated COVID infections.

Media release issue date: Monday, 24 April 2023

A national long COVID and COVID-19 database is among the key recommendations of a unanimous report released today by a parliamentary Committee for its inquiry into long COVID and repeated COVID infections. The House of Representative’s Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport’s report aims to improve Australia’s response to long COVID, an often-debilitating condition possibly affecting hundreds of thousands of Australians. The Chair of the Committee, Dr Mike Freelander MP said: ‘It is clear that the emergence of long COVID has created challenges for patients and health care professionals alike. People with long COVID suffer from a lack of information and treatment options. Health care professionals, who worked tirelessly over the acute phase of the pandemic, are now in a difficult situation trying to support patients with this new and poorly understood condition.’ The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP, stated: ‘Throughout the inquiry, the Committee heard from hundreds of Australians about what it is like to live with long COVID and how the condition impacts their daily lives. The Committee was particularly concerned to hear that long COVID is associated with poor mental health. The Committee heard that many individuals with long COVID feel isolated, disbelieved, anxious or depressed.’ The Committee made nine unanimous recommendations aimed at strengthening the Australian Government’s management of long COVID, including regarding: A definition of long COVID for use in Australia Evidence-based living guidelines for long COVID, co-designed with patients with lived experience A nationally coordinated research program for long COVID and COVID-19 The COVID-19 vaccination communication strategy Access to antiviral treatments for COVID-19 Support for primary healthcare providers Indoor air quality and ventilation. Over the course of the inquiry, the Committee held four public hearings and received almost 600 submissions from individuals, organisations and government bodies. The Committee wishes to sincerely thank everyone who provided written submissions and gave evidence at public hearings. The Committee is particularly appreciative of the time taken by many people who, despite being personally impacted by long COVID, have gone to considerable effort to contribute to this inquiry. The report and further information about the Committee can be found on its website. Media inquiries Dr Mike Freelander MP Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport Mike.Freelander.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4620 0293 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4145 Health.Reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website.

A public hearing will be held on Monday, 20 February 2023 at Cabrini Hospital in Malvern, Melbourne, as part of the House Health Committee’s inquiry into long COVID and repeated COVID infections.

Media release issue date: Friday, 17 February 2023

A public hearing will be held on Monday, 20 February 2023 at Cabrini Hospital in Malvern, Melbourne, as part of the House Health Committee’s inquiry into long COVID and repeated COVID infections. Professor Brendan Crabb AC, the Burnet Institute’s Director and Chief Executive, will appear to further unpack what medical researchers know so far about long COVID and repeated COVID infections. The public hearing will also hear from peak bodies, other medical researchers and ventilation experts about the effects of long COVID and repeated COVID infections on patients, health workers and schools. The Chair of the Committee, Dr Mike Freelander MP said: ‘The Committee is looking forward to travelling to Melbourne to hear from organisations and researchers who have played central roles throughout the COVID pandemic. 'The Committee is interested in hearing about how we may be able to reduce the risk of COVID in highly social settings such as schools, including by investigating the role of ventilation. We are also looking forward to speaking to peak bodies to better understand how long COVID and repeated COVID infections are impacting Australia’s primary care capability.’ The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP, stated: ‘COVID is serious, and the Committee is asking for expert evidence on preventative measures and issues with multiple reinfection. 'Throughout our inquiry we have repeatedly heard about the importance of preventative strategies such as mask wearing, social distancing and ventilation. We intend to canvass these measures in more detail at this public hearing.’ Further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference and published submissions are available on the Committee’s website. Public hearing details Date: Monday, 20 February 2023 Time: 8.30 am–5.00 pm AEDT Location: Cabrini Hospital Education and Training facility, 154 Wattletree Road, Malvern, Victoria Program 8.30 am–9.10 am: Professor Brendan Crabb AC, Director and CEO, Burnet Institute 9.10 am–9.50 am: Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) 9.50 am–10.30 am: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) 10.30 am–11.00 am: Break 11.00 am–11.40 am: Associate Professor Robyn Schofield, University of Melbourne 11.40 am–12:20 pm: Professor Lidia Morawska, Queensland University of Technology (by videoconference) 12.20 pm–1.20 pm: Break 1.20 pm–2.00 pm: Professor Geoff Hanmer, Director, OzSAGE 2.00 pm–2.40 pm: Professor Jeremy Nicholson, Director, Australian Phenome Centre 2.40 pm–3.40 pm: Break 3.40 pm–4.20 pm: COVID Safe Schools Inc (by videoconference) 4.20 pm–5.00 pm: Australian Education Union 5.00 pm: Close Audio of the hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Dr Mike Freelander MP Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport Mike.Freelander.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4620 0293 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4145 Health.Reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site you can read published submissions and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport will hear from Australians living with long COVID and other post-viral illness at a public hearing on 17 February 2023 at Parliament House in Canberra.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 15 February 2023

The House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport will hear from Australians living with long COVID and other post-viral illness at a public hearing on 17 February 2023 at Parliament House in Canberra. The Chair of the Committee, Dr Mike Freelander MP, said: ‘Listening to Australians living with long COVID about their experiences, journey to diagnosis and treatment is a key role of this inquiry. The Committee appreciates the time taken by many people with long COVID who wrote to us to share how the condition has deeply impacted many aspects of their lives. Our next public hearing will unpack some of the issues raised in these submissions in more detail  so we can consider how to better support long COVID patients now and in the future.’ The Committee will also hear from the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (NACCHO) and a roundtable of experts jointly organised by the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP, stated: ‘The roundtable convened by the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences will bring together experts in areas such as infectious diseases, epidemiology, immunology, mental health and public health. This is a great opportunity for the Committee to hear from individuals at the forefront of COVID research and treatment.’ The Committee will hear from the Department of Health and Aged Care about what the Government is doing to respond to the new challenges for Australia’s healthcare system presented by long COVID and repeated COVID infections and is also looking forward to hearing from NACCHO with its valuable insights into the primary care response to COVID-19 in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference and published submissions are available on the Committee’s website. Public hearing details Date: Friday, 17 February 2023 Time: 8.00am – 5.00pm AEDT Location: Committee Room 1R3 (until 12.10pm) and 2R1 (from 1.00pm), Parliament House, Canberra Program: 8.00am–8.30am: National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) 8.30am–9.20am: Department of Health and Aged Care 9.20am–9.50am: Mr Bruce Sedgwick and Ms Sophie Sedgwick, private capacity 9.50am–10.20am: Associate Professor Nada Hamad, person with lived experience of long COVID (by videoconference) 10.20am–10.50am: Break 10.50am–11.30am: Australian Long COVID Community Facebook Group 11.30am–12.10pm: Session on lived experience of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) (by videoconference) 12.10pm–1.00pm: Break 1.00pm–5.00pm: Roundtable with experts organised jointly by the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences 5.00pm: Public hearing close The public hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Dr Mike Freelander MP Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport Mike.Freelander.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4620 0293 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4145 Health.Reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site you can read published submissions and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The House Health Committee has released an issues paper as part of its inquiry into long COVID and repeated COVID infections. This issues paper, which is not the final inquiry report, aims to update the public on what the Committee has heard since commencing its inquiry in September 2022.

Media release issue date: Monday, 5 December 2022

The House Health Committee has released an issues paper as part of its inquiry into long COVID and repeated COVID infections. This issues paper, which is not the final inquiry report, aims to update the public on what the Committee has heard since commencing its inquiry in September 2022. The Chair of the Committee, Dr Mike Freelander MP, said: ‘The evidence the Committee has received so far has revealed some interesting emerging themes, including the absence of a clear, established and nationally consistent definition of long COVID in Australia as well as the lack of reliable and consistent available data’. ‘We have also heard about the possible causes, management and treatment of long COVID and possible ways to reduce the risk of developing long COVID. The Committee is looking forward to unpacking these issues in more detail as we hold more public hearings in the new year’, Dr Freelander said. The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP, stated: ‘The Committee thanks all members of the public and organisations who have made submissions, and witnesses who appeared at our first public hearing in October 2022. In particular, the Committee appreciates the contributions from many stakeholders who have shared their lived experience of long COVID and repeated COVID infections’. While submissions to the inquiry closed on 18 November 2022, individuals and organisations wishing to make a late submission should contact the Secretariat by email at health.reps@aph.gov.au as soon as possible. Further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference and published submissions are available on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Dr Mike Freelander MP Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport Mike.Freelander.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4620 0293 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4145 Health.Reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site you can read published submissions and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Inquiry’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

A parliamentary committee inquiry will hear from frontline health professionals about treating long COVID and its effect on the health system. The public hearing will be held on Monday, 5 December 2022 at Liverpool Hospital in South West Sydney as part of the House Health Committee’s inquiry into long COVID and repeated COVID infections.

Media release issue date: Friday, 2 December 2022

A parliamentary committee inquiry will hear from frontline health professionals about treating long COVID and its effect on the health system. The public hearing will be held on Monday, 5 December 2022 at Liverpool Hospital in South West Sydney as part of the House Health Committee’s inquiry into long COVID and repeated COVID infections. The Chair of the Committee, Dr Mike Freelander MP, said: ‘The hearing will be an opportunity to hear from frontline health professionals about how our health system is managing long COVID, and their experience supporting patients with repeated COVID infections during some of the toughest days of the pandemic’. The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP, stated: ‘The Committee is looking forward to hearing from hospitals, research organisations and other healthcare workers about what they have learned so far about long COVID and repeated COVID infections based on their observations while treating COVID-positive patients both during their infection and in the months after’. The Committee intends to hold more public hearings in due course. While submissions to the inquiry closed on 18 November 2022, individuals and organisations wishing to make a late submission should contact the Secretariat by email at health.reps@aph.gov.au as soon as possible. Further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference and published submissions are available on the Committee’s website. Public hearing details Date: Monday, 5 December 2022 Time: 9.00am (AEDT) to 4.40pm (AEDT) Location: Liverpool Hospital Education and Research Centre, Hospital Eastern Campus Program: 9.00am–9.50am: Nepean Hospital 9.50am–10.40am: Westmead Hospital 10.40am–11.00am: Break 11.00am–11.50am: The Children’s Hospital at Westmead 11.50am–12.40pm: Liverpool Hospital 12.40pm–1.30pm: Break 1.30pm–2.20pm: Campbelltown Hospital 2.20pm–3.00pm: Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research 3.00pm–3.20pm: Break 3.20pm–4.00pm: Dr Kenneth McCroary, Macarthur General Practice 4.00pm–4.40pm: Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation 4.40pm: Close Audio of the hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Dr Mike Freelander MP Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport Mike.Freelander.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4620 0293 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4145 Health.Reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site you can read published submissions and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The House of Representatives Health Committee will hold the first public hearing on Wednesday 12 October 2022 for its inquiry into long COVID and repeated COVID infections.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 12 October 2022

The House of Representatives Health Committee will hold the first public hearing on Wednesday 12 October 2022 for its inquiry into long COVID and repeated COVID infections. The Chair of the Committee, Dr Mike Freelander MP, said: ‘The hearing will be an opportunity for the Committee to hear from hospitals about their experience supporting patients with long COVID and/or repeated COVID infections, and the impact of long COVID and/or repeated COVID infections on Australia’s overall health system.’ ‘The Committee is also looking forward to hearing from research organisations about research into long COVID and repeated COVID infections, including around the prevalence of these conditions, potential causes, and groups that may be particularly at-risk.’ The Committee intends to hold more public hearings in due course and interested parties are encouraged to make a submission to this inquiry by 18 November 2022. Further information about the inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on how to lodge a submission are available at the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Dr Mike Freelander MP Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport Mike.Freelander.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 4620 0293 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4145 Health.Reps@aph.gov.au

The health, social, educational, and economic impacts of long COVID and repeated COVID infections will be the focus of a new inquiry by the House Health Committee.

Media release issue date: Monday, 5 September 2022

The health, social, educational, and economic impacts of long COVID and repeated COVID infections will be the focus of a new inquiry by the House Health Committee. The Chair of the Committee, Dr Mike Freelander MP, said: ‘The Committee recognises that both long COVID and repeated COVID infections are emerging as significant health challenges for Australia. Currently we have a limited understanding of these issues, and it is hoped that this inquiry will build a picture of the health, social, educational, and economic impacts long COVID and repeated COVID infections are having on individuals, their families and the broader community, which can be used to inform public policy recommendations.’  ‘The Committee wants to draw upon the experience and insights of healthcare service providers supporting patients with long COVID and/or repeated COVID infections, to better understand the impacts on Australia’s overall health system’ he said. The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP, stated: ‘The Committee is also particularly looking forward to hearing from individuals or loved ones of people with long COVID and/or who have had repeated COVID infections, particularly about their experience seeking diagnosis and treatment.’ ‘The Committee hopes to engage with researchers, peak bodies, members of the public, mental health organisations, the Australian Government, and state and territory governments, about the potential and unknown effects, causes, risk factors, prevalence, management and treatment of long COVID and/or repeated COVID infections’ she said.  The Committee will also consider how long COVID and/or repeated COVID infections may be impacting groups that face a greater risk of illness due to factors such as age, existing health conditions, disability and background.  Submissions from interested individuals and organisations are invited by 18 November 2022. The preferred method of receiving submissions is by electronic format lodged online using a My Parliament account.  Further information about the Committee’s inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on how to lodge a submission are available at the Committee’s website.  Media inquiries Dr Mike Freelander MP  Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport Mike.Freelander.MP@aph.gov.au  (02) 4620 0293 Mrs Melissa McIntosh MP Deputy Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport Melissa.McIntosh.MP@aph.gov.au  (02) 4722 0600 For background information Committee Secretariat  02 6277 4145 Health.Reps@aph.gov.au