Pandemic Committee provides greater oversight

Chief Health Officer (CHO), Professor Brett Sutton accompanied by the Department of Health’s Deputy Secretary Public Health Policy Nicole Brady appeared before the Committee. 

'This was an important opportunity for members of our Committee to gain a greater insight into the role of the CHO and discuss the process of declaring pandemic orders,' Committee Chair Suzanna Sheed said.  

The Pandemic Declaration Accountability and Oversight Committee was set up late last year under the new provisions of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act. 

In its February hearing the Committee looked into the public orders made for hospital and care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic and specifically how they have impacted Victorian hospitals.  

'It’s important that we hear from the health services about their experience with implementing the public orders,' said Committee Chair Suzanna Sheed.

'We wanted to know how they implemented the orders and what kind of challenges they’ve created, not just for the health services, but also for patients and staff,' she said. 

The Committee heard from representatives of Alfred Health, Monash Health, Northern Health, The Royal Children’s Hospital, The Royal Women’s Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Central Gippsland Health Service. 

The joint investigatory committee intends to hold further public hearings throughout the year.