Communiqué 1: National Sepsis Program Oversight Group – March 2024
This Communiqué provides an update on the first meeting of the National Sepsis Oversight Group (Oversight Group). It may be used by members to update their nominating organisations and other key stakeholders about the National Sepsis Program Extension (Program Extension).
Background
In June 2020, the Australian Government provided $1.5 million to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (Commission) to establish the first National Sepsis Program in partnership with the George Institute for Global Health (TGI). Eight discrete projects were delivered across the 2020-21 and 2021-22 financial years.
In 2022-23, the Australian Government provided a further $2.1 million for activities aimed at early detection and better treatment of sepsis, informed by outcomes from the first program of work. In June 2023, the Commission was appointed by the Department to lead the Program Extension in collaboration with Sepsis Australia (via TGI).
Program objectives
The Program Extension will deliver five projects:
- A targeted national public awareness campaign
- Education and training resources for health professionals and undergraduate health programs
- Coordinated sepsis care and post sepsis support for sepsis survivors and families, including those bereaved by sepsis
- Data collection tools for quality improvement
- Improving sepsis recognition in First Nations peoples.
National Sepsis Oversight Group
The Commission has established an Oversight Group to provide strategic advice and guidance to inform program and project implementation. Members include people with lived experience of sepsis, as well as adult and paediatric clinical experts from around Australia.
The Oversight Group is chaired by Conjoint Associate Professor Carolyn Hullick, Chief Medical Officer at the Commission. The first meeting was held on 20 March 2024.
Members discussed the various elements of the program, and in particular noted the need to elevate the consumer voice and have a stronger focus of the needs of First Nations communities. Additionally, members discussed systemic issues and education and communication activities that could enhance the early recognition of sepsis, including in the patients who are deteriorating.
Enquiries
If you would like to be added to the distribution list for this Communiqué, please email your details to sepsis@safetyandquality.gov.au.
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