Government information, plans & resources | Chapter 1: Governance and Decision Making

Review of Australia’s Health Sector Response to Pandemic (H1N1) 2009: Lessons Identified

Chapter 1: Governance and Decision Making

Table of contents

Australia was in a good position to respond rapidly to the emerging threat from pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza.
There was strong commitment from all public health officials to support teamwork across governments.
The pandemic advisory committee structures should be reviewed.
The fundamental purpose of the Australian pandemic phases and the actions they drive needs further consideration.
A decision support document to identify possible public health actions during a pandemic and their risks and benefits could enhance decision making.
A streamlined process to facilitate availability of research outcomes to guide the real-time public health response should be developed.

Text box 1: Governance and decision making guidance from AHMPPI 2008

Objective

Operational objective 1: Communicate the best available information to decision makers, health professionals and the public.
Operational objective 4: Work in partnership across government.

Purpose

Ensure that decision making is effective, timely and transparent.
Ensure that accurate health advice is provided and that interdependencies are identified and addressed.

Governance

A number of decisions made in a pandemic are the responsibility of health sector decision makers.
Health decision makers provide advice to whole of government on some matters where health imperatives are weighed against broader concerns such as the social and economic implications.

This information is current for 17 May, 2012
This information was issued on October, 2011

Level of Pandemic Threat
ALERT Phase