Commonwealth Numbered Regulations - Explanatory Statements

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NATIONAL HEALTH AMENDMENT REGULATIONS 1999 (NO. 1) 1999 NO. 18

STATUTORY RULES 1999 No. 18

Issued by authority of the Minister for Health and Aged Care

National Health Act 1953

National Health Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 1)

Section 140 of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act) provides that the Governor-General may make Regulations for the purposes of the Act.

Subsection 140(2) of the Act makes provision to preclude or modify, by National Health Regulations, a specified provision of the Act relating to an applicable benefits arrangement, for a specified registered health benefits organisation. This provision has been used to permit pilot or demonstration schemes which could lead to an enhancement of the health insurance industry.

The Act was originally amended by the National Health Regulations (Amendment) with effect from 1 March 1997, to allow the St Francis Xavier Cabrini Private Hospital, Melbourne to operate a Domiciliary Palliative Care program (the Program) for a 12 month period, and to prescribe the registered health benefits organisations involved in the Program. The Program was designed to provide a palliative care service responsive to patient expectations for an improved quality of life during a most difficult and traumatic period.

The Program was extended for a further 12 months with effect from 1 March 1998, The 12 month period ceases on 28 February 1999,

The Regulations further extend the Program until the end of 31 August 1999. The extension of the Program is required to allow further work- on evaluation instruments. This work is important, not just in the context of this specific program, but for future evaluation of similar early discharge and 'hospital in the home' programs currently underway.

The Regulations commenced on gazettal.