What is known about the topic? Cultural and relational safety are critical in supporting marginalised, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse families at risk of statutory systems involvement. What does this paper add? This case study describes an early assessment and referral service for mothers experiencing minority group disadvantage. The service mitigates harms for families that can lead to involvement in child protection systems via a restorative practice approach. What are the implications for practitioners? This service will be of interest to others seeking to improve cultural safety and therapeutic outcomes for diverse and vulnerable families.

What is known about the topic? Much has been reported on the challenges of coronavirus disease 2019 presented to everyone at a global and country level. The pandemic highlighted the often dysfunctional decision making at all levels that impacted on the responses of govenments. What does this paper add? This paper reviews in particular the responses of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCs) and ‘maps’ the interjurisdictional pathways that exist or have been proposed in Australia and outlines the opportunity that the new Government has to ensure a proper process of review of these responses. It also provides some suggestions and priorities for consideration in the planning of an Australian CDC as recently canvassed in the discussion paper released by the Department of Health and Ageing. What are the implications for practitioners? An understanding of the complexities of our health ‘governance’ systems and the opportunity to commence a discussion on how we might transform our systems rather than work around the ‘edges’ to ensure we are better prepared for the next pandemic.

What is known about the topic? The ‘First 2000 Days’ policy is publicly available, it represents an important effort to highlight the importance of the first 5 years of life for a child’s development. This policy and others like it have been broadly adopted around Australia. What does this paper add? This paper is a constructive critique of the policy that suggests greater responsiveness, integration, sustainability and equity. What are the implications for practitioners? This paper helps us understand how best to shape early childhood health services so they can be most effective.

What is known about the topic? Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSCs) relate to conditions or diagnoses that in the paediatric context are frequently mediated by common viral illness. What does this paper add? A reduction in the numbers of presentations and admissions with paediatric ACSCs was seen during the public health measures implemented to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in Victoria, Australia. What are the implications for practitioners? These data can assist development of healthcare policy to allow healthcare resources to be prioritised for patients in whom viral transmission is not relevant.

What is known about this topic? COVID-19 has resulted in significant pressures on critical care beds and tertiary hospital operating space. What does this paper add? Repurposing an elective surgical centre to provide emergency surgical services increased tertiary hospital surge capacity. What are the implications for practitioners? Satellite sites should be included in surge capacity plans in infectious disease epidemics and disasters. This case report details our strategies to reconfigure our elective surgical centre to an emergency service.

What is known about the topic? Clinician and patient experiences of telehealth use have already been documented in contexts where both clinician and patient have opted-in to that process. What does this paper add? The paper adds data on clinician experience across a range of specialities, from a context (pandemic public-heath measures) where the choice element was reduced for both patient and clinician. What are the implications for practitioners? The data speak to the generalisability of existing evidence, but also provide practical considerations in planning for the inclusion of telehealth for specialist health services in the Australian context.

What is known about the topic? The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on healthcare usage and access. What does this paper add? This paper identifies the impact of access to health care during the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable subgroups within middle-aged and older Australians, including those with chronic and mental health issues. Telehealth is an acceptable way to facilitate access to services for these groups. What are the implications for practitioners? Practitioners are strategically positioned to provide alternatives to face-to-face visits during times of limited access and identify those who are in most need of additional care by way of telehealth intervention.

What is known about topic? People with cancer are a COVID-19 vaccine priority group, as they are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality from this disease. There is currently a dearth of information regarding COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, acceptance, or informational needs for this population. What does this paper add? This paper has shown that although vaccine refusal rates were low in this population, feelings of hesitancy remained. Women, those in younger age categories, those with previous vaccine hesitancy and those who felt they had not received adequate information had stronger vaccine hesitancy and higher refusal rates. What are the implications for practitioners? There is a need for tailored information and open communication regarding COVID-19 vaccines and people with cancer. There is an opportunity to build upon established relationships of trust between cancer patients and their clinicians.

What is known about the topic? The real-world effectiveness of coronavirus vaccination program in preventing COVID-19 hospitalisation is 43–86% but this does not include regional programs and health services. What does this paper add? Individual absolute risk reduction for vaccinated local people was modest, but the overall local program effectiveness was substantial in preventing hospitalisations after removal of border quarantine. What are the implications for practitioners? Maintaining coronavirus vaccination programs in rural and regional areas is highly effective in preventing hospitalisations from COVID-19 after quarantine-based public health measures are removed.

What is known about the topic? Many cross-sectional studies report poor psychosocial wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. What does this paper add? Here we provide evidence about the long-term and declining general and psychological health status of Australian allied health practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic. What are the implications for practitioners? The psychological wellbeing of allied health practitioners has declined as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. There is an urgent need for initiatives targeting allied health practitioners that support their wellbeing and ongoing ability to provide high quality patient care.