National Blood Agreement
Under the National Blood Agreement, interested parties can make proposals for changes to products or services funded under the national blood supply. Schedule 4 of the National Blood Agreement sets out the arrangements for decisions to be made on any proposed changes.
As the blood sector is jointly funded by the Australian Government and states/territories any decision to fund a new product or service is a joint decision of all governments. The Jurisdictional Blood Committee (JBC) is responsible for considering national blood supply change proposals, obtaining appropriate evaluation, information and advice, making decisions on proposals in certain circumstances, or providing advice and recommendations on proposals to the Standing Council on Health (SCOH) (formerly the Australian Health Ministers' Conference). The Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) framework (see www.nba.gov.au) was developed to assess change proposals to inform decisions by all governments.
The Australian Government provided funding through the 2010-11 Budget for the development and implementation of a more formal HTA process for assessing proposals to fund new blood products to inform the Australian Government's position. The Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) has been approved to undertake an assessment on behalf of the Australian Government. The results of the MSAC assessment are expected to be shared with States and Territories to inform a joint decision by all governments under the National Blood Agreement.
All proposals for changes or additions to products or services funded under the national blood supply should be submitted to:
National Blood Supply Change Proposal Officer
National Blood Authority
Locked Bag 8430
Canberra ACT 2601
Further information regarding a detailed process map, submission guidelines for applicants in the new framework and other supporting information will be available to stakeholders once finalised.
Contact details
Department of Health and AgeingBlood and Organ Financing Section
Blood, Organ and Regulatory Policy Branch
PO Box 9848
Canberra ACT 2601
(02) 6289 3619
Page currency, Latest update: 20 December, 2011
