Legislative Context VAD legislation has been enacted in all Australian States[1] and has been prefaced on stringent preconditions related to eligibility and access. Pursuant to section 35 of the Act, a patient who is ordinarily a resident in Victoria may make a...
Health Blog
Psychology Board of Australia v Dunne [2023] QCAT 242
Background Mr Dunne was first registered as a psychologist in 1992. In June 2015, a notification was made to the Health Ombudsman following an audit of Mr Dunne’s client files and an investigation of the matters raised in the notification was undertaken. Following the...
Federal Court Healius Pathology Decision: A Warning Against Prohibited Benefits in Pathology Leases
The case is a good illustration of the application of the key legislative provisions outlined in the Panetta McGrath factsheet available here It serves as an important warning not only for pathology providers, but also landlords (a common example being owners of...
Better clarity on payroll tax obligations for dental practices in Western Australia
Following on from David McMullen's article Health Practices in WA: At Risk of unexpected payroll tax? This recent article published in the ADAWA Western Articulator will be of interest to all health practices who have practitioners working under an independent...
An overview of the Professional Standard Committee Inquiry Findings into Dr Charles Teo
Introduction Dr Teo has been registered as a medical practitioner in Australia since 1981 and a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons since 1993. He has held various professorships at the University of New South Wales, Duke University Medical Centre...
Inherent Risks and Peer Professional Opinion in the Bariatric Surgery considered in Polsen v Harrison (No.8)
Facts On 22 July 2013, the Plaintiff underwent a surgical procedure performed by the Defendant to manage her morbid obesity. Following the operation, the Plaintiff suffered from a gastric leak, necessitating her return to the operating room for a laparoscopic washout...
Navigating the Complex Landscape of Advertising Regulations in Health Services
Introduction As advertising of medical services is becoming increasingly sophisticated and essential for business growth, understanding the intricate web of laws and regulations governing this area is more vital than ever. From the oversight of general medical...
Top 5 Record Keeping Tips
We regularly assist health practitioners who are experiencing issues not relating to any concerns about competency, but because they are unable to confirm or justify aspects of their management due to inadequate record keeping. The following tips will assist you when...
Is your Business up to date with the recent Fair Work Act changes?
Significant changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) came into effect on 6 June 2023 and 1 July 2023. It is important to be across these changes and ensure that your workplace policies and procedures are up to date. Requests for Flexible Working Arrangements From 6...
Workplace Bullying in Healthcare Practices
What is workplace bullying? Whether your workers fall within the State or Federal System they are able to apply to either the Fair Work Commission (FWC) or the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC) for an order to stop bullying. The Commission...