ADF Health April 2001 - Volume 2 Number 1

Behind the scenes

The DHS-DVA Medical Advisory Panel

The Advisory Panel meeting on 26 May 2000. Front row (l-r): Colonel Robert Millar; Dr Graeme Killer, AO; Major General John Pearn, Surgeon General ADF; Mr Geoffrey Stonehouse, Head, Division of Healthcare, Department of Veterans' Affairs.

SINCE FEDERATION, IT has been the policy of the Australian nation to provide health care for service men and women who have been on operational deployments both during and after their period of service. Health care for service personnel is supplied by the Defence Health Service; after their return to civilian life, veterans are cared for by the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

The Defence Health Service-Department of Veterans' Affairs Medical Advisory Panel meets twice a year. Chaired by the Surgeon General, ADF, the Advisory Panel brings together the senior decision makers and advisors from the Defence Health Service, the health care and services branch of the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the National Repatriation Medical Authority. The Authority is an independent statutory authority established by the Commonwealth Government to advise on health matters relating to Australia's past military deployments.

The objectives of the Advisory Panel's work are to facilitate a seamless transition of health care from uniformed service to post-service civilian life and to maximise the health of veterans. The Advisory Panel considers operational-specific diseases and disorders, and works towards the care of future veterans by providing proactive advice in relation to current operational deployments.