National Congenital Anomaly Advisory Group

Background

The National Congenital Anomaly Advisory Group (NCAAG) provides expert clinical advice on re-establishing a national congenital anomalies data collection. 

Terms of reference

The NCAAG:

• Provide expert advice and guidance on current and emerging congenital anomaly issues of relevance to the project.
• Provide expert advice regarding the national congenital anomaly data collection and the development of data set specifications (DSS) for the National Congenital Anomalies Data Collection (NCADC).
• Provide expert advice to identify the relevant issues and appropriate methods for national congenital anomaly reporting.
• Provide expert advice around establishment of a new national congenital anomalies collection, including guidance around ensuring a future data collection can provide data and evidence to inform policy, driving improvements in safety and quality in healthcare.
• Facilitate communication with professional bodies and other stakeholders where applicable to assist the Secretariat in progressing consultation on relevant items.
• Review draft reporting templates and draft reports and suggest revisions where appropriate.
• Provide expert advice identifying national congenital anomaly issues that should be considered for reporting and the means by which such data can be accessed.
• Provide expert advice regarding possible ways by which feedback can be given to:
  • state and territory congenital anomaly collections, however named
  • state and territory health departments.
• Receive and review ad-hoc out-of- session papers, updates and reports from AIHW and provide relevant feedback.
• The Committee will report through the Chair:
  • to the overarching National Maternity Data Development Project Advisory Group for policy and strategic matters.
  • to the Group Head, Data Strategies and Discovery Group, AIHW (or delegate) for functional matters.

Membership

The NCAAG comprises of a representative from each State or Territory, clinical experts, consumer representatives and the AIHW.

Other observers and temporary members may be invited on a transitory basis as their expertise is required.

The NCAAG is currently chaired by Professor Jeremy Oats, who is the Perinatal Advisor to the AIHW.

Organisation name	Name of representative
Chair of the NCAAG and NMDDPAG	Prof Jeremy Oats
Chair of the NMPMCEG Perinatal advisor to the AIHW	Prof Michael Humphrey
AIHW	Dr Fleur De Crespigny
AIHW	Ms Bernice Cropper
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute	Ms Lisa Hui
Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital	Assoc Prof Tim Donovan
NSW Department of Health	Mr Tim Harrold
Qld Department of Health	Dr Trisha Johnston
SA Department of Health	Dr Catherine Gibson
SA Department of Health	Ms Heather Scott
Vic Department of Health	Dr Shirin Anil
Women's and Children's Hospital	Prof Yee Khong
Western Australian Register of Developmental Anomalies (WARDA)	Dr Gareth Baynam
Tas Dept of Health	Mr Peter Mansfield
ACT Health	Dr Farah Sethna
NT Dept of Health	Ms Leanne O’Neil
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute	Dr George McGillivray
Vic Dept of Health	Ms Joanna Gaston
ACT Health	Ms Rosalind Sexton
Commonwealth Department of Health	Ms Daniela Gagliardi
Rare Voices Australia	Ms Nicole Millis
Syndromes without a name	Ms Heather Renton

Secretariat

Secretariat support is provided by the AIHW Maternal and Perinatal Health Unit.

Contact details for the Secretariat are: