RSL Calls for Robust Participant Consent Mechanism After Program Disbanded.
MEDIA RELEASE
The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) has called for the establishment of a robust participant consent mechanism to be included in any new program following the cessation of the Veterans’ MATES medical research program.
The RSL says that a replacement program must have a robust mechanism to ensure informed consent and to protect participants’ privacy.
RSL Australia President Greg Melick said the recently disbanded Veterans’ MATES program conducted by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and the University of South Australia (UniSA), had worked positively for many veterans and the community.
“The program benefitted thousands of veterans and we had been assured that it was being operating with the approval of the Defence and Veterans’ Human Research and Ethics Committee,” Greg Melick said.
“This approval had been subsequently withdrawn and the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Keogh, had then ended the program. DVA has since provided an assurance, that there had been no unauthorised access to veteran data and all information was securely transferred and stored.
“It is of concern that a single veteran’s opt-out request was inadvertently not acted on, and that veteran subsequently received compensation.
“The RSL notes the positive contribution of the MATES program over many years, not only in improving the health of veterans, but also the significant additional benefits that it has delivered to the broader Australian community through special medical education packages developed for general practitioners and community pharmacists.
“However, it has become apparent with the continual evolution of privacy laws, that the consent mechanism was not sufficiently robust which has caused a loss of confidence in the program.
“A robust and informed ‘opt in’ consent mechanism would address this in a replacement program.
“Veterans and their families make a significant social and economic contribution to our communities and our nation. Investing in their health and wellbeing is a sound investment for all Australians,” Greg Melick said.
