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Mylo Norman published Access to gender-affirming care for young people in Australia – February 2025 in News 2025-02-10 10:24:24 +1100
Access to gender-affirming care for young people in Australia – February 2025
Recent announcements at both the state and federal levels have raised questions about access to gender-affirming care for young people in Australia. This resource outlines what these changes mean and what to expect moving forward.
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Mylo Norman published Joint Statement: LGBTIQ+ community groups and health experts cautiously welcome treatment review for trans and gender diverse young people in Media Releases 2025-01-31 15:53:08 +1100
Joint Statement: LGBTIQ+ community groups and health experts cautiously welcome treatment review for trans and gender diverse young people
Medical experts, health bodies and LGBTIQ+ groups have cautiously welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement it will review the treatment guidelines for trans and gender diverse young people.
But they said the process must be led by the experts, remain free of political interference and not block continued care across the country.
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Mylo Norman published Qld decision on gender-affirming care puts lives at risk, research shows in Media Releases 2025-01-30 10:53:48 +1100
Qld decision on gender-affirming care puts lives at risk, research shows
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) calls for the Queensland Government to immediately reverse its decision to stop the provision of medical gender-affirming care for trans and gender diverse young people.
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Mylo Norman published Policy Submission: PHN Business Model Review and Mental Health Flexible Funding Stream Review in News 2025-01-29 09:08:33 +1100
Policy Submission: PHN Business Model Review and Mental Health Flexible Funding Stream Review
The Department of Health and Aged Care recently held a consultation as part of its review of the Primary Health Network (PHN) Business Model and Mental Health Flexible Funding Stream. The consultation aimed to explore opportunities, in collaboration with stakeholders, to improve equity, access, and outcomes in primary healthcare across Australia.
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Mylo Norman published Policy Submission: Automated Decision-Making Reform in News 2025-01-28 10:00:28 +1100
Policy Submission: Automated Decision-Making Reform
The Australian Government is exploring legislative reform to establish a consistent framework for the use of automated decision-making (ADM) across government services. This consultation aims to ensure ADM systems are transparent, fair, and adhere to principles of administrative law. It also seeks to address recommendations from the Robodebt Royal Commission, including safeguards for ADM implementation and accountability mechanisms.
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Mylo Norman published National Lung Cancer Screening Program Guidelines Public Consultation in News 2025-01-28 09:38:39 +1100
Policy Submission: National Lung Cancer Screening Program Guidelines Public Consultation
The Department of Health and Aged Care invited feedback on draft guidelines for a National Lung Cancer Screening Program, which aims to improve early detection and health outcomes for populations disproportionately impacted by lung cancer. The guidelines include a focus on priority populations, including LGBTIQA+ people, to ensure equitable access and culturally safe care.
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Silver Pride Advocacy Network
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) is setting up the Silver Pride Advocacy Network (the Network). This national network aims to amplify the voices of LGBTI older people, in discussions about ageing and the aged care system in Australia. LHA aims to help LGBTI older people influence policies, programs and decision-making.
The Network includes LGBTI older people, including those from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. LHA aims to support participation by older people who might not otherwise be heard. This includes LGBTI older people receiving care, sick or living with medical conditions, and from regional and rural Australia.
The objectives of the project are:
- to establish a national network which represents the full range of diverse views and experiences of older LGBTI people. This includes a large group of contacts who are loosely engaged, a smaller group who are actively engaged and a core leadership group at the centre
- to provide a mechanism for advice, feedback, advocacy and guidance in response to national issues impacting older LGBTI people
- to provide a mechanism for advice, feedback and guidance in response to internal LHA projects and programs
- to build the capacity for LGBTI older people to influence policy, programs and decision making which impacts their lives.
The Network is comprised of three parts:
- the Silver Pride Advocacy Network Advisory Committee.
- a Living Experience Advocacy Panel (LEAP).
- a newsletter aimed at LGBTI older people (and their allies).
Committee
The Silver Pride Advocacy Network Advisory Committee members provide advice about the ways to design and operate the Network.
Members are:
Trish Bock
Community MemberJulia Geljon
Community MemberChris Howard
Queensland Council for LGBTI HealthChris Hunt
Community MemberKedy Kristal
GRAI – GLBTI Rights in AgeingAleyshia Manakahae
Community memberAndrew Rogers
Val’s LGBTI Ageing & Aged CareRicki Spencer
Community MemberBlake Utomo
Your Side AustraliaGarry White
Community memberNewsletter
The Silver Pride Advocacy Network e-newsletter is aimed at LGBTI older people (and their allies). Each newsletter edition includes an invitation to contribute ideas about LGBTI ageing and aged care. It also features initiatives that enhance the lives of LGBTI older people.
View Edition 1: November 2024 (PDF)
View Edition 2: December 2024 (PDF)Living Experience Advocacy Panel
As part of the project, LHA has established a Living Experience Advocacy Panel (LEAP) which is currently comprised of five members. LEAP members provide advice, feedback, advocacy and guidance in response to national issues impacting older LGBTI people, particularly about aged care.
LEAP members participate in external consultations about ageing and aged care to inform policy and program development. They also provide advice to LHA on its own projects aimed at LGBTI older people. LEAP members may:
- participate in consultations and focus groups
- provide feedback on services and resources
- participate in advisory groups and committees
- share their story in publications and videos
- write articles for newsletters and other publications.
You can express interest in joining the LEAP until Tuesday 25 February. More info here.
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Mylo Norman published Expressions of Interest: Silver Pride Advocacy Network - Living Experience Advisory Panel in News 2025-01-24 13:48:21 +1100
Expressions of Interest: Silver Pride Advocacy Network - Living Experience Advisory Panel
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) is seeking expressions of interest from LGBTI older people to participate on LHA’s Silver Pride Advocacy Network, Living Experience Advocacy Panel (LEAP).
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Mylo Norman published Resources to support you in Share your story to improve access to gender-affirming care 2025-01-22 16:09:04 +1100
Resources to support you
Get help writing your submission
We’ve created resources to make writing your submission quick and easy:
- Submission Templates: Choose one of three template approaches that fits your style (.docx download).
- FAQs: Answers to common questions about MSAC Application 1754.
Need more advice?
Contact us via email for assistance.
Submission form - Provide your input online
Further reading
- MSAC 1754 webpage
- Application summary (PDF)
- Framework for questions (PICO set) (PDF)
- Summary of criteria (PICO confirmation) (PDF)
- Survey compilation (Word Doc)
- Submission form - Provide your input online
FAQs
What is MSAC?
The Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) is an independent body that advises the Australian Government on whether medical services, treatments, or technologies should be publicly funded under Medicare.
What is this consultation about?
This consultation is about MSAC Application 1754, which focuses on public funding for gender-affirming surgeries. MSAC is seeking input to help it understand how this decision could impact trans and gender-diverse people, their families, and healthcare providers.
Why is public funding for gender-affirming surgeries important?
Public funding ensures that gender-affirming surgeries are accessible to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances. These surgeries are essential healthcare that can significantly improve mental health, reduce distress, and enhance quality of life for trans and gender-diverse people.
Who can provide input to MSAC?
Anyone can provide input to MSAC. This includes:
- People who have the health condition this application addresses.
- Carers, family members, and partners.
- Health professionals or academics working in the area.
- Organisations representing consumers or health professionals.
- Interested individuals who want to share their thoughts.
How can I share my story with MSAC?
You can share your story by submitting your input through the MSAC consultation process. LHA and AusPATH have developed templates and guidance to make this as easy as possible. Visit our resources page to get started.
What happens after I provide my input?
MSAC will review all submissions and consider them alongside clinical and economic evidence. This information helps it decide whether to recommend public funding for the service or technology.
How long does the MSAC decision process take?
The process can take several months. After MSAC reviews the evidence and submissions, they make a recommendation to the Minister for Health, who makes the final decision.
Can organisations submit on behalf of their members?
Yes, organisations can provide input if they are authorised to represent their members’ views. Make sure to select the appropriate option when submitting.
What if I’m not sure how to write my submission?
You don’t need to be an expert! Choose one of three template approaches to help you share your story or provide input effectively.
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Mylo Norman published Policy Submission: Modernising My Health Record—Sharing by Default in News 2025-01-28 09:28:30 +1100
Policy Submission: Modernising My Health Record—Sharing by Default
Health Legislation Amendment (Modernising My Health Record—Sharing by Default) Bill 2024 [Provisions]
The Australian Government is proposing legislative changes through the Health Legislation Amendment (Modernising My Health Record – Sharing by Default) Bill 2024.
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Mylo Norman published Experimental LGBTI Population Estimates a Step Forward Ahead of 2026 Census in Media Releases 2024-12-19 12:04:29 +1100
Experimental LGBTI Population Estimates a Step Forward Ahead of 2026 Census
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today released experimental estimates on LGBTI+ populations in Australia, derived from four recent population-based surveys.
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