- Findings of independent review of WA's COVID-19
management and response recognises WA's successful handling of the pandemic
- WA Government welcomes and supports the 35
recommendations which provide a blueprint to ensure the State is prepared to
manage future pandemics
- New State-wide campaign to promote vaccination, tackle
false vaccine misinformation
- WA is the first Australian jurisdiction to
complete a whole of government review and is taking immediate action to prepare
for future challenges
The
independent review of the Western Australian Government's handling of COVID-19
has recognised the State's successful management and response to the pandemic.
Esteemed
expert independent reviewers Hon John Day, Emiterus Professor Margaret Sears AO
and Dr Michael Schaper examined WA's economic, social and health outcomes,
reaffirming the WA Government's approach to managing COVID-19.
WA
is the first Australian jurisdiction to complete a whole of Government review,
which was commissioned by the State Government.
The
Review found the success of the State's management and response reflected the
efforts of the WA Government and tireless work of the healthcare professionals
and the wider public sector to protect the WA community.
The
reviewers also acknowledged the determination and resilience of the entire WA
community to respond to the challenges, including those who faced adversity.
Shaped
by extensive stakeholder consultation and consideration of almost 900 public
submissions, and given the increasing risk of pandemics in the future, the
Review makes 35 recommendations aimed at ensuring an effective, coordinated and
strong response to future threats.
The
recommendations are a mix of actions taken during COVID-19 that are to be
replicated or improved, as well as new actions to be undertaken.
These
include strengthening pandemic planning and scenario testing, reviewing current
legislation, removing barriers to public sector workforce mobility and
continuing to provide free and equitable access to Government programs such as
vaccination and testing.
Investigating
ways to strengthen support to community organisations, peak bodies, health
experts and the arts and businesses during the pandemic, as well as better
leveraging the expertise of the business, community and health sector in future
responses were also recommended.
In
addition, the review recommends a new State-wide campaign is developed to
tackle vaccine misinformation and disinformation to ensure the community is
safe and prepared for future threats to public health.
The
WA Government will now undertake to develop the campaign to educate and inform
the public of the importance of vaccines and counter the misinformation causing
confusion and distrust. This also led to the corresponding decline in the rate
of some vaccinations in the community – most concerningly regarding childhood
vaccinations.
In
accepting all the recommendations, the WA Government has taken immediate action
and will develop the campaign to educate and inform the public of the
importance of vaccines to counter an increasing amount of inaccurate and false
information circulating in the community.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"I'm
proud of what Western Australia achieved together through the pandemic.
"Our
world-leading response has provided a blueprint on how to handle future
pandemics.
"But
of course, not every pandemic will be the same, but this Review provides the
key principles and tools which future governments will need to tackle future
challenges.
"The
independent review confirms WA delivered some of the best economic, health and
social outcomes in Australia.
"WA
was nearly COVID-zero during the first two years of the pandemic and our
COVID-19 fatality rate of 0.074 per cent was the lowest of all the States and Territories.
"I'd
like to thank the independent reviewers the Hon John Day, Emeritus Professor
Margaret Seares AO and Dr Michael Schaper for their thorough work as well all
those who took the time to share their insights and experiences to help inform
the Review."
Comments attributed to Health Minister
Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"Western Australia
performed extraordinarily well during the pandemic thanks to the State
Government's response, the hard work of our healthcare workers and the co-operation
of the WA public.
"Over the pandemic
WA Health had more than 1,900 COVID vaccination clinics, including community,
pop-up, in-reach and school clinics, delivering a total of 2.6 million
vaccination doses.
"WA stood up COVID
testing clinics across the State, and at the height of our response, we had 220
contact tracers working around the clock.
"We are incredibly grateful
for the enormous contributions everyone made during the pandemic.
"These important
safeguards helped ensure Western Australia had one of the best responses to
COVID-19 in the world."
