UPFRONT

Just as Insight went to print, BIENCO, a national consortium of clinical, scientific and governance experts, including the NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service, was launched by NSW Minister for Health and Medical Research Mr Brad Hazzard. The group will develop bioengineered eye tissue for corneal blindness, and involves two leading Australian corneal specialists: Professor Gerard Sutton, also co-medical director for the NSW Tissue Bank, and Professor Mark Daniell, who is also a researcher at The University of Melbourne and Centre for Eye Research Australia. The project is being funded through the Medical Research Future Fund 2021 Frontier Health and Medical Research Initiative. IN OTHER NEWS, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency reported fewer complaints about the conduct of Australian optometrists in 2021, with a higher proportion of cases also resulting in no further action. The latest ‘notifications’ data showed there were 38 notifications lodged against 44 optometrists. This compares with 41 complaints against 55 optometrists in 2019/20. In terms of the 50 cases that were closed in 2020/21, 74% resulted in no further action, up from 61% the year before. FINALLY, Optometry Victoria South Australia (OV/SA) appointed Ms Ilsa Hampton as its new CEO, following the departure of Mr Pete Haydon to the Australian College of Optometry. Hampton is an experienced health sector leader, holding senior executive and leadership roles in aged care and social and community services. She was most recently CEO at membership organisation Meaningful Ageing Australia, where she grew the organisation significantly, undertook advocacy with government and key stakeholders, and delivered education and evidence-based practical resources for members. Hampton takes up the permanent CEO role this month.

n WEIRD

Researchers have developed a high-tech sleeping bag that could solve spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS). Astronauts place their lower body in the vacuum-equipped sleeping bag, which pulls down body fluids that naturally float into the head and can reshape the back of the eye.

n WONDERFUL

Inspirational speaker and author Julie Woods, who is legally blind, climbed the world's steepest street in Dunedin to highlight Blind Low Vision Week. With her guide, she reached the top of Baldwin St in 12 minutes, as she aims to walk every street in the southern New Zealand city.

n WACKY

Smartglasses to be released by Apple in 2022 will reportedly operate on the company’s proprietary M1 chips. Rather than being physically or wirelessly connected to a cellphone, this will allow the glasses to run independently, on par with its computers.

QUOTE

INDEPENDENT SUCCESS

"For independent optometry to continue to flourish, practice owners need to commercialise their special interests" – departed ProVision CEO Mr Steven Johnston. Full report page 62.

WHAT’S ON

THIS MONTH RANZCO CONGRESS

25 FEBRUARY – 1 MARCH

The 52nd congress is taking place later this month. A preview of exhibitors and speakers is on pages 21-30. ranzco@thinkbusinessevents.com.au

Complete calendar page 61.

NEXT MONTH ASO EXPO 2022

18 – 20 MARCH

The Australian Society of Ophthalmologists’ annual event is being held at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne. info@asoeye.org insightnews.com.au

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ADVISORY BOARD TO GOVERN NEW BODY

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where optical dispensers and opticalaffiliated employees are seeking industrybased opportunities to further grow their existing skills, network with other likeminded professionals or get work-based support,” she said.

“Subsequently, the trend has led to increasing unrest within the profession regarding the limited availability of options to fulfill these demands. ODA has been founded to cater for these needs that have also been recognised from afar by the IOA. Prior to launching, the IOA offered ODA its unwavering support and encouragement.”

Petrusma said careful consideration was given to ODA’s governance structure. Instead of being “membercontrolled”, it will be “membermanaged”, with an eight-strong advisory board appointed to “make the best decisions for our members without any conflict of interest fuelled by political standing”. Paid staff will also run the organisation, overcoming organisational issues sometimes found in time-poor, volunteer-run organisations.

“The advisory board is made up of professionals with a variety of expertise and backgrounds – ranging from ex-president of the IOA Paul Clarke to freshly qualified, practising optical dispensers,” Petrusma said.

Outlining the key functions of the body, Petrusma said ODA would have an advocacy role to ensure any future policy changes are for the benefit of the industry as well as individuals.

Members will also be able to network via an online forum, career portal, yearly conference and continuing professional development (CPD) events. Its website will act as a hub, featuring a job listings section with targeted industry-specific roles across Australia, as well as easy access to dispensing calculators and health fund guides. ODA’s founders are particularly focused on upskilling the industry through CPD, with the organisation saying it will offer Australia’s newest and most comprehensive, postqualification CPD initiative for dispensers.

“By engaging our members in a CPD program presented by current industry professionals, we are ensuring they gain the most up-to-date knowledge and are regularly enhancing their dispensing and practice skills,” Petrusma said.

“The monthly webinars offered by ODA will be available to anyone for a fee of $55 or complimentary for Qualified Optical Dispenser members. Members will receive one CPD point per webinar with additional opportunities to gain CPD points from supplementary events throughout the year. A currency certificate will be distributed to those that have completed 10 CPD points each calendar year. On top of the educational benefits of the program, the currency certificate is a great addition to present to a future or current employer to show relevancy and up-to-date knowledge in the industry.”

Employment matters and advice will also form a part of ODA’s service.

“We’re very passionate about workplace conditions and promoting optical dispensing as a favourable career choice,” Petrusma added. “Our robust HR and Career portal offers support for both employers and employees alike when seeking assistance or advice on workplace matters like hiring new employees, contracts, and awards. ODA also offers a job vacancy board, resume tips and free templates to help jobseekers, interview advice, links to further education, a career counselling service and job networking opportunities."

In a statement, the IOA said it was excited to partner with ODA and welcome its qualified members into the international organisation.

“We really look forward to strengthening our bond and supporting each other and more importantly supporting our members,” IOA president Ms Fiona Anderson said. n

“THE CURRENCY CERTIFICATE IS A GREAT ADDITION TO PRESENT TO A FUTURE OR CURRENT EMPLOYER TO SHOW RELEVANCY AND UP-TO-DATE KNOWLEDGE"

APRIL PETRUSMA, OPTICAL DISPENSERS AUSTRALIA

PHIs DELIVER LOWEST PREMIUM INCREASE IN 21 YEARS

continued from page 3

were missed due to COVID restrictions and are not expected to materialise later when calculating their deferred claims liability.

However, for the purpose of fulfilling their broader commitments in 2020 to not financially benefit from the pandemic, the ACCC expected insurers to include the value of these claims when calculating their policyholder relief.

“We expect insurers to return all benefits from procedures that were not performed and are not expected to be performed later. This may be particularly applicable to extras treatment and geographic areas that were subject to extended lockdowns,” Rickard said.

“We will continue to monitor the actions of insurers to return all profits made due to COVID-19 to policy holders as they promised and report on it in our next annual report on the private health insurance industry.”

The report also noted the proportion of Australians with health insurance has increased for the first time since 2015, attributed to increased community focus on health due to COVID-19.

In June 2021, nearly 14 million Australians, or 54% of the population, had some form of PHI, an increase of 1.4% since June 2020. People holding hospital policies increased across most age groups, but the rate of increase was fastest among those aged 75 and older. The 2020-21 reporting period is the first year in which people in their mid to late

ACCC: ‘Deferred claims liability’ isn't the only measure. 70s holding hospital cover outnumbered people in their mid to late 20s.

This year’s PHI average premium increase was the lowest since 2001 at 2.7%. Cumulative premium increases over the past five years to June 2021 continue to outpace wage growth, with average increases more than double inflation during the same period.

Private Healthcare Australia CEO Dr Rachel David said “in an ideal world health funds would not increase premiums by a single dollar". "[In 2021] funds have proposed the lowest possible rise necessary to ensure they remain financially viable and can continue to provide members with access to quality and timely healthcare, which is critical as we move out of the pandemic.” n