Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections Standing Committee (BBVSS)

Role

The Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections Standing Committee (BBVSS) is a key advisory body on social issues, programs and policies related to:

bloodborne viruses (BBV), such as HIV, hepatitis B and C
sexually transmissible infections (STI), such as syphilis.

The BBVSS forms part of a coordinated response across:

Australian Government
state and territory governments
key organisations
peak bodies
national research centres.

Terms of reference

See the BBVSS terms of reference.

Members

Representatives from the following organisations are members of BBVSS.

Queensland – Queensland Health
New South Wales – Ministry of Health
ACT – ACT Health
Victoria – Department of Health
Western Australia – Department of Health
Northern Territory – Department of Health
South Australia – SA Health
Tasmania – Department of Health and Human Services
Australian Government – Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
New Zealand – Ministry of Health
Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis & Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM)
Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association (AIDA)
Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL)
Hepatitis Australia
National Association of People With HIV Australia (NAPWHA)
Scarlet Alliance, Australian Sex Workers Association
Health Equity Matters
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)

Meetings

There are 25 scheduled BBVSS meeting hours per year with regular themed meetings. BBVSS may hold an annual full day face-to-face meeting focussed on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues.

In addition to regular BBVSS meetings, the committee may convene extraordinary or emergency teleconferences or workshops, as required, to discuss BBV and STI health protection matters of national significance as they arise.