A series of online panel discussions to facilitate knowledge sharing and mutual learning between healthcare service providers in Australia and New Zealand
2021

Healthcare professionals and others involved in coordinating or implementing the pandemic response in Australia or New Zealand are invited to participate in S23M’s Trans Tasman Knowledge Exchange.
The Trans Tasman Knowledge Exchange adds to a growing repository of shared knowledge about the lessons learned locally (and internationally) about living with SARS-CoV-2, how we can adapt to the globally evolving strains of the virus and potential outbreaks, and preparedness for future pandemics.
Topics include, but are not limited to subjects such as:
- 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.)
- 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
All panel sessions are 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.
New Zealand and Australian healthcare professionals can register interest in the Trans Tasman Knowledge Exchange by using the form below.
2020
Organisations that contributed to the Trans Tasman Knowledge Exchange
Results
- Maintaining pandemic awareness over the coming years and preparing for an incremental resurgence of international travel
➜ synopsis | ➜ video | ➜ full transcript - Establishing effective long-term collaboration patterns with the providers of managed isolation and quarantine services and other non-healthcare organisations
➜ synopsis | ➜ recording | ➜ full transcript - Responsiveness in a highly dynamic context with significant variability in local priorities and practices depending on the latest local pandemic status, with a mix of strategies
➜ synopsis | ➜ video | ➜ full transcript
The discussions touched on the following themes:

➜ overview of the panellists’ perspectives on these themes
Contributors
Alison Verhoeven,
Chief Executive, Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association
Vic Crone,
CEO, Callaghan Innovation & Policy Group Member, ANZ Leadership Forum
Prof Michael Baker,
Public Health & Director, Health Env. Infection Research, University of Otago
Kerri Nuku,
Kaiwhakahaere (CEO), New Zealand Nurses Organisation
Prof Judy McGregor,
Chair, Waitemata DHB
Claire Hewat,
CEO, Allied Health Professions Australia
Bill Bowtell AO,
Adjunct Professor, University of New South Wales
Thijs de Blok,
Senior Advisor, Buurtzorg (Japan / APAC / Netherlands)