Palaszczuk Government announces new sexual health advisory committee

Published Wednesday, 21 December, 2016 at 11:56 AM

Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services
The Honourable Cameron Dick

The Palaszczuk Government has today announced it will establish a new Sexual Health Ministerial Advisory Committee to support the implementation of Queensland’s new Sexual Health Strategy.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said the new advisory committee will provide the expert advice required to achieve delivery of the comprehensive sexual health and reproductive health strategies now in place across Queensland.

“Earlier this month I announced $62 million to support delivery of Queensland’s and Australia’s first Sexual Health Strategy, including $35 million for the community sector and additional funding of $5.27 million over four years,” the Minister said.

“The Strategy is an important element in improving the health and wellbeing of all Queenslanders by addressing a broad range of sexual and reproductive health issues including health promotion, prevention, clinical service provision and community education.

“Importantly, the Strategy tackles some of the key sexual health challenges we face in Queensland, such as reproductive health issues, rising rates of sexually transmissible infections, increasing numbers of people living with HIV, and the discrimination and stigmatisation that is often associated with sexual health issues.”

Minister Dick said the new advisory committee will provide important policy advice to the Government on a range of current and emerging sexual health issues.

“In addition to advice on the implementation of the Sexual Health Strategy and its associated action plans, the role of the new committee will also encompass HIV policy advice, which is currently provided by the HIV Foundation Queensland,” Mr Dick said.

“The Sexual Health Strategy anticipates a diverse, community-led and community-based model for the delivery of sexual and reproductive health services.

“In line with the Strategy, the procurement of services by the HIV Foundation Queensland (HIVFQ) will be transferred to the Department of Health, which will procure services directly from the community sector.

“Consequently, the service agreement between the Department and HIVFQ will not be renewed when it concludes on 30 June 2017.

“Funding currently for the sector and sexual health generally will not be reduced and will continue to be used for the delivery of sexual health services, including research, into the future.”

Mr Dick said the Department of Health will work closely with the HIVFQ to address any transitional issues arising from the change, as the HIVFQ continues its work in the health sector like all other foundations established under the Hospital Foundations Act 1982.

The new advisory committee will commence in early 2017.

The full Queensland Sexual Health Strategy 2016–2021 can be found at www.health.qld.gov.au

ENDS

Media contact: Michelle Wellington 0437 323 834