Infectious diseases expert to head up Victorian Aged Care Response Centre (VACRC)

The Department of Health has found a replacement for chief Joe Buffone who departed the job yesterday. As we reported here, the former County Fire Authority Chief announced his departure from the role he has held since the VACRC was set up on 27 July two weeks ago to head up the Government’s crisis preparation for the summer bushfire season. Mr Buffone will be replaced by Australian National University infectious diseases Professor Frank Bowden. Professor Bowden – who has already been assisting the VACRC since it was established – has formerly held roles as the Chief Medical Administrator of ACT Health, Director Medical Services at Calvary Public Hospital, and Foundation Professor of Medicine at the ANU Medical School. He is also a board member of the One Disease Foundation, which aims to eliminate crusted scabies as a public health concern in Australia by 2022. The VACRC has recently moved from an “acute” phase to focus on returning residents to their homes, managing existing outbreaks and preventing future outbreaks, which the Professor will now oversee. Despite the slowdown in activities, Department of Health witnesses gave evidence to the Senate enquiry into the Government’s COVID response on Tuesday that the Victorian centre would continue its operations, at least until the end of the year.