The Sleep Health Foundation and the Australasian Sleep Association were delighted yesterday to learn that the national parliamentary Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport has commenced an Inquiry into Sleep Health Awareness in Australia.
The Committee is inviting submissions to its inquiry relating to the Terms of Reference and details are being widely advertised by email to our membership and friends nationwide.
We are more than delighted with this news and are reaching out to individuals and organisations to support our efforts.
The terms of reference are to inquire into and report on sleep health awareness in Australia, in particular:
- The potential and known causes, impacts and costs (economic and social) of inadequate sleep and sleep disorders on the community;
- Access to, support and treatment available for individuals experiencing inadequate sleep and sleep disorders, including those who are: children and adolescents, from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, living in rural, regional and remote areas, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander;
- Education, training and professional development available to healthcare workers in the diagnosis, treatment and management of individuals experiencing inadequate sleep and sleep disorders;
- Workplace awareness, practices and assistance available to those who may be impacted by inadequate sleep or sleep disorders, with a focus on: rostering practices for shift workers, heavy-work requirements, and the transport industry as compared to international best practice; and
- Current national research and investment into sleep health and sleeping disorders.
It is important now that submissions are made into the inquiry. While the Sleep Health Foundation and the Australasian Sleep Association will be making separate submissions we would ask every one of you and your members to consider making a submission, and to send this email on to colleagues who may be interested in doing so.
The timeline is short (deadline for submissions is 18 October 2018), but the process is relatively easy.