Veteran health issues prioritised at DVA peak body forum

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has published the executive summary from the virtual DVA Health Provider Partnership Forum (HPPF) held on 12 March 2021.

The HPPF supports collaboration between DVA and Australia’s health peak bodies, to consider how veteran health services may be improved, including through effective policy and service delivery.

The March meeting covered a range of veteran healthcare topics, including:

• DVA’s Deputy Chief Health Officer presentation on COVID-19 Vaccinations and the BUPA Clinical Adviser Services Contract. 
• Update from DVA’s Wellbeing Policy area on:
  • the extension of COVID-19 telehealth access, 
  • 2020-21 Budget, 
  • Treatment Cycle, 
  • Extension of allied health treatment eligibility in aged care; and 
  • Dental and Orthotist reviews.
• DVA’s Pharmacy Programs section presented on changes to the Veterans’ Affairs Pharmaceutical Advisory Centre (VAPAC). There are no changes to the services offered by VAPAC, or to any of the DVA pharmaceutical arrangements or client entitlements.
• Update from DVA’s Deputy Secretary, Veterans and Families Services on:
  • Claiming
  • Support for homeless veterans
  • Veteran Support Officers
  • The Wellbeing and Support Program; and
  • Increase in Open Arms services

The meeting summary is available on the DVA website, along with summaries of past HPPF meetings. 

To contact the HPPF Secretariat or find out if your peak body is represented at HPPF meetings, please email: providerengagement@dva.gov.au