According to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: ‘Worker screening is a way to help check that the people who are working, or wish to work, with NDIS participants don't present an unacceptable risk to people with disability. Worker screening is an important...
In May 2014, the plaintiff, Mrs Jodie Lee (a litigation pseudonym) consulted the defendant, Dr Dhupar, an obstetrician and gynaecologist with a view to having an elective tubal ligation to prevent future pregnancies. Mrs Lee and her husband already had three children...
The key issue What is the appropriate disciplinary sanction for practitioners engaging in romantic (but non-sexual) relations with patients? The background The respondent was 27 years old at the time of meeting the 17-year-old detainee in 2018. After resigning...
The key issue What is the appropriate disciplinary sanction for practitioners found to have significantly breached patient trust? The background The case relates to an enrolled nurse (the respondent) who used a nurses-only key to access a patient’s wallet from...
The key issue What is the appropriate disciplinary sanction for inappropriate prescribing of Schedule 8 medicines over an extended period of time? The background An investigation was triggered by the daughter of Patient A who contacted the HCCC and reported that she...
These are some of the figures that have been noted in Ahpra’s annual report, published recently. No further action was taken for the same percentage of notifications in 2019/20 as it was in 2018/19. No further action was taken in 86% of paramedicine matters, followed...
The question of who can sign and how they can validly sign depends on the document, and the identity of the parties. In the modern age (particularly in light of COVID-19), electronic signing has a growing role to play. A temporary legislative response enabling...
In his recent article, David McMullen provides insights on common features of preferred provider schemes and criticisms from the health care sector. David also addresses the effect private health funds have on competition. Please click on the below image to read the...
Legislative changes in August 2018 included the introduction of the Public Interest Ground to compliment the existing grounds of when immediate action may be taken - because of a practitioner’s ‘conduct, performance or health’ they pose a serious risk to persons and...
The background In February 2017, Mr Hamlyn was diagnosed with Gleason Grade 7 prostate cancer. He was advised by his urologist, Dr Stanton, that he required active treatment. Relevantly, Dr Stanton discussed with Mr Hamlyn the merits of both surgery and radiation...