Category: Community

I’m Proud Of Our Progress But There’s Still More To Be Done

Posted on | by Team

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As the local Managing Director of a large global healthcare company I have no greater responsibility than to ensure that every patient we serve can live a healthier life.

But I am equally committed to running a successful company because if the business fails we ultimately fail our patients.

So, it was reaffirming to see the most recent Gender Equality at Work [i]report found a common denominator that set apart the high performing companies from the pack that were listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.

The common denominator was women in their leadership. Each business had either a female chair, CEO or CFO or a combination of the three.

It resonated with me because I have always believed that when it comes to advancing women in work, this is not just a fairness equation, it’s fundamentally a business equation.

Advancing women advances our business and allows us to unleash our full potential to not only compete in the healthcare industry of tomorrow, but to help people around the world to live longer, healthier lives today.

It is therefore quite apt that International Women’s Day in 2019 is all about #BalanceforBetter.

Around half the population are women who are equally in need of the best healthcare that technology can provide. So shouldn’t the people creating and delivering these medical technologies also reflect this gender diversity?

Afterall, a balanced, diverse workforce that mirrors a company’s customer base is more likely to be able to meet customer needs and new market opportunities, thus improving both financial and nonfinancial performance.

As leaders we must take responsibility to make it a reality and be intentional in our endeavours to do so.

I am proud that for more than 130 years, my company has been championing women and empowering them to succeed in the workplace and beyond. It’s helped me to achieve a wonderful career with many opportunities to now.

When Johnson & Johnson first opened its doors in 1886, eight of our first 14 employees were women. Today, our Australia and New Zealand workforce is more than 60 per cent female.

In 1908, Johnson & Johnson hired its first female scientist. Today, we are committed to ensure that half of all our STEM2D positions are filled by women.

This is a journey that Johnson & Johnson is on but I am proud of that history and the change we are seeing, not only at J&J but across the industry.

Here in Australia, for example, the members of the MTAA, that include Johnson & Johnson, began the Women in MedTech (WiMT) committee to lead the debate, proactively encourage gender diversity within the industry and support women to unlock their full potential.

It’s interesting to know that at Johnson & Johnson, a group of our female employees launched the Laurel Club back in 1907 to help foster professional development, wellness and community service among women. A group well ahead of its time.

Today, I am the Asia-Pac lead of our modern equivalent called Women’s Leadership & Inclusion (WLI) that has 186 chapters supported by our women and men all around the world.

On international women’s day, the new WLI strategy was launched that I hope will drive change that actively prepares our female workforce to be the leaders of tomorrow and tomorrow.

Its purpose is to foster an inclusive organisational environment that champions the advancement of women with a vision to achieve gender equality across our business globally, to enhance our competitive advantage and fuel the future of human health.

To achieve this we have programs for mentorship and sponsorship, fathers with daughters support so they can be role models and active champions of their child’s passions and dreams, and we are partnering with Universities through programs to engage the women in STEM2D workers of the future.

As an organisation, we represent the market in which we work and operate, in relation to age, gender, race, religion, sexual preference, disability and nationality and we must actively seek inclusion and input from all.

If we all were to do this as leaders then I believe it will deliver more robust dialogue, smarter decisions and ultimately, improved business performance in the short and long term.[/vc_column_text][vc_zigzag][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sue Martin is the Managing Director of Johnson & Johnson Medical devices Companies ANZ and is a Board Member of the MTAA.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

[i] Liveris, C, “Gender Equality at Work 2018: Opportunity, with Qualifications”, March 2018 (Based on ASX market data sourced in January 2018).

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Election Watch – Another Week Another Poll

Posted on | by Team

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

THE POLLS

What Newspoll showed was that there had been no change in the Government’s position, and they continued to trail the ALP by 53 to 47 two party preferred.

For the Government they would have been looking for confirmation that Ipsos was not a ‘once off’ and for the ALP they would have sighed a collective sigh of relief that Newspoll hadn’t tightened on the back of the border security debate.

This does not mean that border security goes away as an issue, it just means in the absence of a new line of attack the media in particular had moved on.

For Labor during the federal campaign proper, they will be hoping that there are literally not any boats on the horizon which would only serve to derail their campaign strategy.  Labor do not want boats as an issue during the federal campaign.

 

Budget 2019-20

The budget will be bought down on 2 April 2019, a month earlier than usual.  This budget is unique in that the Prime Minister will very soon after the budget call the Federal election, most likely for May 18.

This means any of the new budget measures are essentially election commitments and will only be implemented if the Morrison Government is re-elected.

Depending on the budget giveaways, Labor will also have to very quickly decide (depending on what the giveaways might be) whether to support some of them or not.  The most obvious will be potential personal income tax cuts.  Labor has its own plan for personal tax cuts so expect this is to be a potential policy battlefield.

The Morrison Government will be hoping to use the budget as a spring board into the election on its preferred policy ground of superior economic management.  This will be underpinned by the budget being back in surplus sooner than planned and contrasted against Labors $200 billion tax grab and spending commitments.

 

Royal Commission

A Royal Commission into the disability sector will be announced very soon and will run parallel with the Aged Care Royal Commission.

As the Prime Minister himself has said this inquiry will be just as big and revealing as the Banking Royal Commission.

With two of our communities most vulnerable groups aged citizens and those with disabilities subject to a Royal Commission it will really hold up a mirror to Australia as a nation and how we treat some of our most vulnerable citizens.

The major challenge going forward for our policy makers and Governments is following the Royal Commissions and subsequent reports and recommendations, the cost of fixing both will no doubt run into the billions of dollars.

The inevitable question will be who and how will the changes that will no doubt need to be made be paid for.  That is going to be a major challenge for the nation as a whole.[/vc_column_text][vc_zigzag][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”1915″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jody Fassina is the Managing Director of Insight Strategy and has served as a strategic adviser to MedTech and pharmaceutical stakeholders.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Aussie Schoolboy’s Hearing Loss Invention Idea

Posted on | by Team

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Introducing Leon!

Meet Leon, a 9-year-old self-described “Aussie Deaf Kid” from Perth. Leon is the first and only Australian kid to win the annual global invention competition, ‘Ideas for Ears’.

The competition, organised by global hearing loss solutions innovator MED-EL, challenges children aged between 6-12 years old from across the globe to come up with an invention to improve the quality of life for people living with hearing loss.

Competing against kids from 19 other countries, Leon was selected as one of only nine other worldwide winners to travel to Austria to meet the inventors of his cochlear implants.

So what was Leon’s idea?

Leon’s winning entry video described a Bluetooth watch that was able to communicate with hearing implants and chance them to various custom settings, such as reducing wind noise when outdoors. Leon’s invention would also include a “Device Locator” app to help find lost processors easily, and a “Wakey, Wakey” function which is a “vibrating, flashing alarm to wake you up, but also has a setting that turns your cochlear volume up slowly over 5 minutes”.

After learning of the good news, Leon (a little speechless) told MED-EL:

“I am very happy about winning the contest. I was so shocked and surprised that my idea won. I’m so excited about going on a trip to the other side of the world and meeting the people that designed and made the implants I have. It is really amazing that one day my idea might be able to help people with hearing loss like me.”

FOLLOW ALONG

To follow Leon’s journey to Austria in July, check out the ideas4ears Facebook page or search #ideas4ears on social media.

KEY INSIGHT: One in six Aussies currently affected by hearing loss, that number is expected to rise to one in four by 2050.

TAKE A HEARING TEST

MED-EL is providing the opportunity during 2019’s Hearing Awareness Week for people to participate in a briefing hearing test online (www.listen.explore-life.com/en/), following which participants can elect to receive an information package, visit their GP or Audiology clinic to explore their options further.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

$22 Million For Early Stage Research

Posted on | by Team

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Biomedical Translation Bridge grants will support successful applicants to fund and grow health and medical research projects from early stage to proof-of-concept and commercialisation.

The fund will be operated by MTPConnect through partnerships with BioCurate (University of Melbourne and Monash University) and UniQuest (University of Queensland), bringing together a wealth of experience in commercialisation of health and medical research in Australia.

The grants aim to bridge the barrier between new ideas and funding and commercialisation, to ensure that cutting edge new medical technology is available sooner to those who need it most.

Successful applicants will receive between $200,000 and $1 million over a maximum of three years.

For more information on the Biomedical Translation Bridge, visit: www.health.gov.au/MRFF[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Game Changer, Closer to the Artifice Pancreas

Posted on | by Team

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As a disease, diabetes costs the national economy an estimated $14.6 billion annually. Fortunately, Australia is also home to some of the most advanced diabetes technology in the world.

  • Here’s the gist: Research shows that insulin pump therapy can reduce the frequency of severe hypoglycemia as well as improve quality of life. For the first time in Australia, a device has been brought to market which automatically adjusts the delivery of insulin to people living with type 1 diabetes.
  • An artificial pancreas, you say? Called the Medtronic MiniMed, the hybrid closed loop insulin pump system imitates the hard work of a healthy pancreas – monitoring glucose levels and sending data to the pump. Calculating the amount of insulin needed and automatically delivering it, the technology allows the patient to be more present in their daily lives.

Automating the management of blood glucose levels, the device embodies patient-centric innovation. According to Diabetes Australia, choice and access are two key pillars for supporting people living with diabetes and this device provides exactly that.

Requiring minimal input – its another amazing example of how technology can be utilised to take over the task of critical bodily functions.

With type 1 diabetes representing around 10 per cent of all cases, this new device is a game changer according to Professor David O’Neal who was one of the first Australian researchers to trial the device locally. Whilst the disease remains incurable, it’s evident that, in the meantime, innovation can lead patients closer to autonomy over their everyday life.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Edwards Lifesciences Australia Gives a Helping Hand to the next generation

Posted on | by Team

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Smith Family is an Australian, independent non-profit children’s charity whose goal is to create opportunities for disadvantaged children and their families and encourage them to participate more fully in society, using education as a key tool.

The Smith Family Learning Clubs provide a safe and supportive out-of-school learning environment where primary or secondary students can participate in activities that develop their academic skills, such as homework, numeracy and literacy.  

Disadvantaged students can miss out on these kinds of out-of-school programs as they are often too costly for families with limited financial means.

This isn’t the first time Edwards employees have done voluntary work. Last year over 500 hours were volunteered by staff. 

Edwards aspires to have 100% of its employees do at least one charitable activity every year.

Managing Director of Edwards Lifesciences ANZ, Pat Williams said:

“We all know that kids are the future and if we at Edwards Lifesciences can help out even just a little that’s fantastic. Who knows some of these children could be the next nurses, surgeons or biomedical engineers.

“Our commitment to charitable giving is one of the defining elements of our culture and locally we’re proud our employees actively participate.

“We’re fortunate to be able to support many health- and community-focused programs through grants to non-profit organisations around the world from the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation.”

Edwards believes that through their actions they will become trusted partners with customers, colleagues, and patients – creating a community unified in its mission to improve the quality of life around the world.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Let The Games Begin!

Posted on | by Team

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]So, is 2019 the year that Bill Shorten brings the bacon home for Federal Labor?

If the polls are to be believed, then Labor is the front runner to win the election which will most probably be held on 18 May 2019.

With the Federal Budget due to be handed down on 2 April this will see the Federal election called on either the weekend of 6/7 April or the 13/14 April.

Here are some key facts to keep in mind heading into the election:

  • There are 151 seats up for grabs in the election
  • With electoral redistributions and defections to the crossbench, the Government currently hold 72 seats, the ALP 71 and the crossbench has 8
  • Labor need to win a net 5 seats to form Government, on a uniform swing of 1% or 50.6% of the two-party preferred vote
  • The Morrison Government need a swing to them of around 1% or 51.5% of the two-party preferred vote and a net 4 seats to regain majority Government
  • Current polling has Labor leading 53% to 47%

The key issue for the Government is the strength of its primary vote.  It is currently around 36% which is 6 points below where it was in 2016.  Labors primary vote is up 4 points to around 37-38%.

For the Government, they cannot win without a primary vote of around 42-43%.  Labor can win with a vote around 39% or higher.  This is due to Labor traditionally doing better on preferences than the LNP.

The Government will be hoping to use the budget on 2 April as a platform to springboard off and leverage its natural political advantage, that being superior economic management.

With the budget coming back into surplus earlier than anticipated, this budget will be an election manifesto more than a traditional budget.  No doubt the Government will be looking to shower the electorate with some election goodies.

The Government continues to go in hard on Labor’s proposed tax changes to negative gearing, franking credits and capital gains.  This is the prism through which the Government will seek to frame Labor as economic saboteurs and not to be trusted to manage the economy.

For Labor their basic campaign theme is one of fairness with their ‘plan for a fair go’.  Expect Bill Shorten and Labor to use the word ‘fair’ as often as possible between now and the election.

Fairness will be broadly defined, but policies like reinstating weekend penalty rates will be an example of wage fairness, tax cuts for low to middle income earners is about a ‘fair economy’.

Over arching the ‘fair go’ agenda will be the message of unity and stability.  Labor will contrast an Opposition led by Bill Shorten for six years against a divided Government that has had 3 Prime Ministers in 3 years.

Added to the mix will be Labor constantly reminding the electorate that Scott Morrison voted against the Banking Royal Commission 26 times.  Labor will be keen to highlight that only they can be trusted to implement the Royal Commission recommendations in full, whereas Scott Morrison is still a friend of the banks.

As they say, let the games begin!![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_zigzag][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”1915″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jody Fassina is the Managing Director of Insight Strategy and has been an strategic adviser to MedTech and pharmaceutical stakeholders.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Health Minister Challenged

Posted on | by Team

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]You may have heard that former Liberal-turned independent MP Julia Banks confirmed, this week, her intention to challenge Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt for his Mornington Peninsula electorate of Flinders.

  • Here’s what you mightn’t have heard: Former ABC journalist Tracee Hutchinson has flagged her interest in also challenging Minister Hunt for his seat, as the Labor Party’s candidate. The Age has reported that the ALP is sharpening its focus on “snatching a slew of formerly safe Liberal seats from the Morrison Government” at the next election – including Minister Hunt’s seat.

Minister Hunt’s electoral margin has changed from a high of 11 per cent to its current margin of 7 per cent (on a two-party preferred basis) leading into the 2019 election. While still considered a “safe” seat, left-wing activist group GetUp has been mobilising its supporters in a coordinated effort to unseat Minister Hunt and cause a headache for the current government.

  • Son of a Turnbull! It was also revealed in The Australian newspaper that the son of former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull will be involved in helping Ms Banks with her campaign to unseat Minister Hunt. “I’m involved, I’ll leave it at that,” Alex Turnbull told Nine newspapers.

The challenge to Minister Hunt may see the Morrison Government direct valuable resources and funding to protect the seat, that would have otherwise gone to sandbagging more marginal seats in Victoria and Queensland.

KEY INSIGHTS: The Age reported that the Labor Party had held the seat for just three of the past 80 years (2 years in the 1950’s and 1 year in 1983).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS AFib AWAY?

Posted on | by Team

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“It’s a momentous achievement for a wearable device that can provide critical data for doctors and peace of mind for you” – those are Apple’s words.

  • So just how useful is it? Well, it seems Janssen Pharmaceuticals (a Johnson & Johnson member company) thinks Apple could be on to something. The company is collaborating with Apple on a research study to investigate whether a new heart health program using an app from Johnson & Johnson in combination with the Apple Watch’s irregular rhythm notifications and ECG app can accelerate the diagnosis and improve health outcomes for approx. 33 million worldwide living with atrial fibrillation (AFib).
  • What’s AFib? Atrial fibrillation is a type of abnormal rhythm of the heart that can lead to stroke and other potentially devastating complications. AFib impacts more than 400,000 Australians.

The multi-year research program will be launched later in 2019. This large-scale program will occur in the U.S. only, and will be designed as a pragmatic randomised controlled research study for individuals aged 65 years or older.

KEY INSIGHT: The study will measure the outcomes of a heart health engagement program with irregular rhythm notifications on Apple Watch; and Assessing the impact of a medication adherence program using an app from Johnson & Johnson.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

WE NEED A NATIONAL PRIMARY HEALTHCARE DATA SET

Posted on | by Team

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]”The Commonwealth Government and individuals invest considerable sums of money every year in primary healthcare—typically GPs and Aboriginal Medical Services”, says AHHA Chief Executive Alison Verhoeven.

“But, to date, no comprehensive ongoing national data set exists that can give insights into why people use and access primary healthcare services, what occurs in individual consultations, and the outcomes of those services.”

The AHHA has released an Issues Brief today, Call for the establishment of a primary health care national minimum data set, by Maddy Thorpe and Sharon Sweeney (Brisbane South Primary Health Network). The work was undertaken as part of the Jeff Cheverton Memorial Scholarship hosted by the Deeble Institute for Health Policy Research at AHHA.

“What is needed is what is called a National Minimum Dataset (NMDS)—that is, a set of data items, using the same definitions, that every General Practice in every state and territory commits to collecting as a minimum.”

“We think the primary healthcare NMDS needs to include standardised data on:

  • Provider demographics—to help workforce planning
  • Patient demographics
  • Patient health status and health-related behaviours
  • Patient encounters—to understand why people are using GPs and other primary healthcare providers
  • Health outcomes—to evaluate how efficient and effective services are.

“Fortuitously a national mechanism has been recently set up to lead national primary healthcare data development—the National Primary Health Care Data Unit at the independent statutory agency, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

“Accordingly, we call on the Australian Government to capitalise on this initiative and back the AIHW to the greatest extent possible to lead the development of a Primary Health Care National Minimum Data Set.

“In so doing the Institute will need to be crystal clear on why the data are being collected and be mindful of the practicalities associated with collection of the data, the need for workforce development and training, the need to address consumer issues, and the need to assure privacy and security of the data.

“There is also a strong need for alignment with other national data sets in health through a national data governance framework”, Ms Verhoeven said.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]