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.
