On 13 August 2019 the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2019 (WA) was read for the second time in Parliament. So how will it work? The Bill proposes that to be eligible to access voluntary assisted dying, a person must: have reached 18 years of age and have decision...
Gemma McGrath
Continued Suspension not in public interest
In April 2019 Julia Wilcock reported on the Tribunal's decision to stay the suspension of the anaesthetist pending his appeal in the matter. Click here to read Julia's post and the background to the case. Last week, the Tribunal delivered its decision on the...
Peer Professional Opinion Defence Rejected Again
Mr Frangie (the Deceased) suffered a heart attack at home. He was taken to Liverpool Hospital where, following investigations, it was found he had suffered a ST elevation myocardial infarct (STEMI). As it was likely that the Deceased had been suffering the heart...
Royal Commission Terms of Reference released
As expected, the Terms of Reference are broad and they can be reviewed here. Of note, the Terms outline the scope of the quality and safety matters that the Commission will look at which include, but are not limited to: dignity choice and control nutrition medication...
Report of the Joint Select Committee on End of Life Choices
The report recommends the introduction of a bill for voluntary assisted dying, which should be drafted in consultation with a panel of experts, including health and legal professionals and health consumers. The framework proposed by the report differs from the...
Nanny-cams and Home Care Services
Laws relating to surveillance cameras and devices operate at the state and federal level. In WA the applicable Acts are the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Surveillance Devices Act 1998 (WA), as well as statutory obligations arising under occupational health &...
Doctor denied procedural fairness by Tribunal
Proceedings had been commenced in the Tribunal by the Medical Board alleging a breach of professional boundaries, sexual misconduct, misleading entries in clinical notes and making false statements to AHPRA and the Board. Following conferral between the parties, a...
No obligation on Tribunal to make all or any combination of protective orders available
Following the making of findings of professional misconduct against a registered nurse who had commenced a sexual relationship with a patient under his care in a psychiatric facility, the nurse consented to a package of orders which included (1) cancellation, (2)...
Services and places in aged care & Government spending on aged care
GEN Services and places in aged care reports on the services providing aged care and the number of places provided. The data have been updated through to 30 June 2017. GEN Government spending on aged care reports on government spending on aged care services. The data...
Federal Court dismisses bid to charge Asset Replacement Fee
Regis had commenced the proceedings seeking a declaration from the Court that the Asset Replacement Charge (ARC) may be lawfully imposed without contravening the Aged Care Act or its associated regulatory instruments. All individuals entering Regis’ facilities from 1...