The Albanese Government has responded to the recommendations made by a parliamentary committee into Long COVID, recognising the chronic nature of Long COVID and the need for multidisciplinary team-based healthcare.
The recommendations from the House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport's Inquiry into Long COVID and Repeated COVID Infections focused on strengthening primary healthcare services, improving COVID-19 vaccination communications, educational support for healthcare providers, and a national research program.
The Government's initial response to the committee's report, which was tabled in Parliament on 19 April 2023, included a $50 million investment from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) for research into Long COVID. A further $50 million was committed from the MRFF to drive innovation in primary care, including in multidisciplinary team-based healthcare.
Of the committee's nine recommendations, the Government has noted two and accepted seven in full or in principle.
These recommendations were informed by almost 600 submissions from individuals, community groups, health experts, public health organisations and state and territory health departments.
The Government has also developed a national plan to provide a framework for the health response to Long COVID, known in the medical literature as post-acute sequelae of COVID‑19.
The national plan has been informed by the recommendations of the Inquiry. It highlights three strategic priorities to ensure people with Long COVID, and their families and carers, can access treatment and support to receive the best possible health outcomes:
- improve primary care support for people with Long COVID,
- increase awareness within the community and health sector, and
- provide support for Long COVID research.
The Department of Health and Aged Care has also commenced a review and update of the National Strategic Framework for Chronic Conditions, which enables all levels of government, as well as health professionals, to deliver a more effective and coordinated national response to chronic conditions.
The update will consider common issues in the management and treatment of chronic conditions to guide sustainable, evidence-based and person-centred multidisciplinary support for Australians living with such conditions. An open public consultation will begin this month.
The plan builds on existing Albanese Government investments to strengthen Medicare, including $6.1 billion committed in the 2023-2024 Budget, a new Medicare rebate for GP consultations longer than 60 minutes, and the largest investment in bulk billing in Medicare history.
The Government is committed to supporting initiatives that reduce the incidence, severity and longer-term impacts of COVID-19. The best way to prevent Long COVID is to protect yourself from infection, including by staying up to date with your vaccinations to help protect against severe illness.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"The Australian Government recognises the long-term impacts of COVID-19, including for those who experience prolonged symptoms following an acute COVID‑19 infection.
"Long COVID is an emerging health issue, both in Australia and internationally. The Albanese Government is investing $50 million for research into Long COVID.
"The Albanese Government is strengthening Medicare for all Australians, but particularly to provide the kind of multidisciplinary team-based healthcare for people with chronic and complex conditions like Long COVID."
