This third edition continues that tradition and has new topics drawn from advice we received from Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and users of the National Guide. Our user survey resulted in 554 responses from general practitioners (GPs) and other healthcare providers across Australia. With this feedback, we were able to commission authors with expertise on topics such as child health and wellbeing and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, as well as on other topics important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All the revised chapters were sent to external experts and relevant peak bodies across Australia. The support we have received in developing this National Guide has been phenomenal.

These guidelines provide recommendations that outline the critical aspects of infection prevention and control. The recommendations were developed using the best available evidence and consensus methods by the Infection Control Steering Committee. They have been prioritised as key areas to prevent and control infection in a healthcare facility. It is recognised that the level of risk may differ according to the different types of facility and therefore some recommendations should be justified by risk assessment. When implementing these recommendations all healthcare facilities need to consider the risk of transmission of infection and implement according to their specific setting and circumstances.

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) methods are increasingly widely used to bridge the gaps between the evidence base for best clinical practice, what actually happens in practice, and the achievement of better population health outcomes. Among a range of quality improvement strategies, CQI methods are characterised by iterative and ongoing use of specific processes to identify quality problems, develop solutions, and implement and evaluate changes. The application of CQI processes in health is evolving and evidence of their success continues to emerge. There is, however, a need to enhance understanding of how best to implement, scale-up and evaluate CQI programs for the purpose of improving quality of care and population health outcomes in different contexts. This research topic aims to attract articles that add to knowledge of useful approaches to tailoring CQI methods for different contexts or purposes, and for implementation, scale-up and evaluation of CQI interventions/programs.

Presents a National Aboriginal and Mental Health Policy and Plan developed in consultation with Indigenous Australians and relevant groups and organisations; provides information on, and makes recommendations about priority actions relating to the mental health needs and mental health problems of Aboriginal people; mental health services; relationship of mental health and well-being to physical health.