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The Medevac bill has been in the news ever since February, when its passage marked the Morrison government’s first major defeat in the House of Representatives.
But to understand what it means for us as future medical professionals, it helps to understand how a person in offshore detention gets urgent medical treatment in the first place

Before Medevac, people in offshore detention who fell ill had to seek government approval to be brought to Australia temporarily for treatment But it could take days to have their case heard, and the decision was ultimately in the hands of politicians who often have no medical training.

There are cases of people who have died because they were refused evacuation, or who have deteriorated while waiting for a verdict.

The Medevac bill is an attempt to streamline the process and put the decision back in the hands of medical specialists. Under the new law, a person can be recommended for transfer to Australia based on the orders of two doctors, who may make a medical assessment either remotely or in person.

Then, the Minister for Home Affairs has 72 hours to either approve or deny the request.
The current government is poised to try and reverse the bill in November. But for now, Medevac gives doctors more capacity than ever to make medical decisions and look after people in our care.

Source: Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA)

By AMSA Crossing Borders 2019
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