Trans-Tasman knowledge exchange on new and evolving regional healthcare delivery ecosystems

A Series of Online Panel Discussions

Up until a few weeks ago some countries such as the US, UK and many countries in Europe were experiencing their highest rates of COVID-19 deaths since the pandemic first broke out. The US has now vaccinated a little over 12% of their population and numbers are beginning to track down. However, new and more infectious strains of the virus are seeping into New Zealand and Australia. Melbourne and Auckland have just had another lockdown. The only sensible response is to take a global overview and trace the strains via genomic sequencing. In other words, we need more, and not less global sharing of data sets and related knowledge.

Following the series of panel discussions on pandemic awareness and collaboration with healthcare sector executives from across Australia and New Zealand in September 2020, we are continuing with a bi-monthly series of panel discussions on new and evolving demands on regional healthcare delivery ecosystems, which now include managed isolation facilities and related services.

Healthcare professionals involved in coordinating or implementing the pandemic response in Australia or New Zealand are invited to participate in the panel discussion(s) on 24 March 2021.

Series A: Wednesday 24 March 2021,
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm (AEST) / 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm (NZST)

We will discuss what has changed since September 2020, to add to the growing repository of shared knowledge between Australia and New Zealand with respect to the lessons learned locally (and internationally) about living with SARS-CoV-2, and how we can adapt to the globally evolving strains of the virus and potential outbreaks. The scope includes:

Considerations for the construction and operations of dedicated managed isolation and quarantine facilities
Logistics and priorities for vaccination (distribution challenges, fairness, etc.)
Tracking and timely sharing of information about vaccine safety, effectiveness, and adverse effects
Education around vaccine safety, to address fears and increase vaccination rates
Other challenges generated by vaccination programmes (maintenance of accurate immunisation registers etc.)

We would also like to invite healthcare professionals to participate in further regular knowledge exchange over the course of 2021:

Series B: Monday 24 May to Friday 28 May 2021,
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm (AEST) / 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm (NZST)

Series C: Monday 19 July to Friday 23 July 2021,
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm (AEST) / 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm (NZST)

Series D: Monday 20 September to Friday 24 September 2021,
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm (AEST) / 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm (NZST)

Series E: Monday 22 November to Friday 26 November 2021,
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm (AEST) / 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm (NZST)

Topics could include, but are not limited to subjects such as:

Continuous global knowledge sharing about the treatment of COVID-19
Following up and supporting patients with post viral syndromes (identification of vulnerable populations)
The political, media and social inertia limiting the speed of adaptation to the scientific response to the virus
Acceptance that the social, economic and clinical impacts of the pandemic will be with us for many years to come
Inter-regional travel in a world of regional lockdown dynamics (Pacific Islands and other vulnerable countries)
The use case for and the limitations of regular mass COVID-19 screening and genomic sequencing
The benefits and lessons from approaches that are adapted to the specific needs of specific regions and local communities
A meta analysis of the aetiology of the pandemic; preparation for future health and socio-politico-economic crises to come
Reducing the threat of future pandemics (flu etc.)
Reducing the threat of antibiotic resistance (animal agriculture etc.)
Sustainable health and technological adaptation to an uncertain future

Depending on the number of panellists that register, we will group panelists based on shared interest and geographic diversity, and we expect to host between one and five panel discussions as part of each series during the designated weeks at the designated time, i.e. 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm (AEST) / 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm (NZST).

The panel sessions will be informed by specific questions submitted by the panellists and members of organisations that are involved in shaping and coordinating public health and the pandemic response in Australia, New Zealand, and globally.