JUDGMENTS
Western Australia. State Administrative Tribunal
Medical Board of Australia and Wild [2012] WASAT 37 (27 February 2012)
The Medical Board of Australia brought an application in the State Administrative Tribunal of Western Australia (Tribunal) against Dr Felicity Wild, alleging that she acted improperly by having an inappropriate personal relationship with a patient and that she acted carelessly by leaving the patient while he was suffering from an overdose of morphine without seeking or providing medical assistance.
Dr Wild agreed that conditions should be imposed on her registration and the parties prepared Minutes of Orders prior to the hearing. These outlined a number of conditions to be placed on Dr Wild's registration, including (amongst others) only providing treatment at her practice during specific hours (unless in emergencies), only maintaining one set of clinical notes for each patient and holding these notes only at her practice, and certain supervision requirements.
The Tribunal found that Dr Wild acted improperly and carelessly and ordered that the conditions (as agreed) should be placed on Dr Wild's registration. The Tribunal also ordered that Dr Wild's registration be suspended for a period of three months. The Tribunal outlined that the purpose of the suspension was not to protect the public from an incompetent practitioner, but to assure the public and members of the medical profession that such conduct will not be tolerated.
LEGISLATION
Commonwealth
National Health (IVF/GIFT Program) Special Arrangement Amendment Instrument 2012 (No. PB 9 of 2012) - F2012L00438 " PB 9 of 2012 as made
National Health (Growth Hormone Program) Special Arrangement Amendment Instrument 2012 (No. 1) (No. PB 8 of 2012) - F2012L00437 " PB 8 of 2012 as made
Health Insurance (Review of GP Mental Health Treatment Plan) Revocation Determination 2012 - F2012L00436 " as made
Australian Capital Territory
Transplantation and Anatomy Amendment Act 2012 (ACT) - Assent: 29 February 2012
Victoria
Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Supply by Midwives) Bill 2012 - Legislative Assembly 28 February 2012: Introduced and read a first time
REPORTS
Australia. Department of Health & Ageing
Media releases
- 1 March 2012 - Convenient access to birth control pills and high cholesterol medication - The passing of the National Health (Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement) Bill 2011 means that patients whose prescriptions have run out will be able to obtain birth control pills and highcholesterol medication from a pharmacy if they're unable to see a doctor in time for a renewal.
- 1 March 2012 - King warns against internet medicine purchases - Australians have been warned of the hazards of using the internet to source their medicines and therapeutic products.
- 1 March 2012 - Thousands more Australians talking about organ and tissue donation - Following the most successful DonateLife Week to date, thousands more Australians around the country have been encouraged to discuss their organ and tissue donation intentions with their loved ones.
- 29 February 2012 - Continued assistance for homeless older people - Nearly 4,000 disadvantaged older Australians a year will continue to receive valuable assistance to help them secure or maintain stable housing and care in the community of their choice.
- 28 February 2012 - Private health insurance premium increases at four-year low - The annual increase in private health insurance premiums will this year be the lowest in four years.
- 27 February 2012 - Final report of National Advisory Council on Dental Health - Health Minister, Tanya Plibersek has welcomed the final report of the National Advisory Council on Dental Health.
- 26 February 2012 - Praise for Melbourne Heart's big heart - Melbourne Heart Football Club has been praised for its part in campaigning for organ and tissue donation.
- 24 February 2012 - Gillard Government's cancer services commitment on show - The Federal Government's commitment to improved cancer services across the nation was plain for all to see when Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, Catherine King visited the site of the Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre.
- 24 February 2012 - Headspace Hobart officially open for business - Australia's newest headspace has been officially opened in Hobart by the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler.
- 24 February 2012 - Healthy and positive ageing on show in Tassie - Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler and Federal MP for Franklin, Julie Collins have visited the Queen Victoria Home in Lindisfarne, Tasmania to meet residents receiving support to age well through the Day Therapy Centre program.
- 24 February 2012 - New affordable housing for Glenorchy residents - A new $5.3 million social housing development, consisting of 18 two-bedroom apartments for seniors, has been opened in Glenorchy. These new homes have been fully funded by the Federal Government through the Social Housing Initiative.
Private Health Insurance Circulars
- PHI 11/12 Extension to Feedback from Stakeholders on the Prostheses List Advisory Committee (PLAC) Evidence Paper
- PHI 10/12 New (day-only) Hospital Information
- Final Report of National Advisory Council on Dental Health
Australia. Private Health Insurance Administration Council
2 March 2012 - Industry Consultation Opportunity - Proposed Outsourcing Standard for Private Health Insurers - Current Edition - 12/04
Australian Institute of Health & Welfare
2 March 2012 - National Bowel Cancer Screening Program monitoring report: phase 2, July 2008-June 2011 (media release)
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC)
Capped fees for after-hours medical care in ACT to continue - The ACCC has authorised CALMS Ltd, the after-hours locum medical service which operates in the ACT.
Australia. Therapeutic Goods Administration
2 March 2012 - Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) breast implants - TGA update - Updated information on safety concerns with PIP breast implants.
2 March 2012 - Update to testing results of PIP breast implants - The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has increased the number of samples of PIP breast implants tested for shell integrity by measuring the tensile elongation of a further seven samples to the original eight samples that were tested in 201.0
2 March 2012 - Documents released under Section 11C of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) - Added FOI 142-1112 documents.
1 March 2012 - King warns against internet medicine purchases - The Hon Catherine King MP.
1 March 2012 - Update to herbal ingredient names - A notice to sponsors on updating the names of ingredients that are currently included in medicines on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
29 February 2012 - Conformity assessment procedures for immunohaematology reagents - This guideline addresses some specific requirements in the regulation of immunohaematology reagents that manufacturers and sponsors need to consider when applying conformity assessment procedures or making applications for inclusion in the ARTG.
29 February 2012 - Information about weight loss product - The TGA will be making a final decision on the weight loss product, the SUPPREXXA Hunger Buster kit, after consideration of material provided by the sponsor, Chika Health Pty Ltd, in support of the claims made about the kit.
Australian National Health & Medical Research Council
27 February 2012 - Australia/Singapore to host leaders in emerging infectious diseases - The brightest minds in emerging infectious diseases research and current technologies have gathered in Singapore for a scientific symposium to discuss the health challenges facing the Asia Pacific. A joint initiative between the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Singapore-based Agency for Science, Technology and Research, the symposium will focus on tuberculosis, influenza and how to combat them.
Australian Capital Territory. Department of Health
Media release
- 24 February 2012 - Promotion of organ and tissue donation recognised-Katy Gallagher, MLA.
1 March 2012 - Emergency Services News Alerts - For the latest local information about the impact of the wet weather, please visit the ACT Emergency Services website.
27 February 2012 - Improve your health with BEAT IT! - Join the new BEAT IT: Physical Activity and Lifestyle Program, which kicks off on Wednesday 7 March in Bruce.
New South Wales. Ministry of Health
Media releases
- 1 March 2012 - Upgrade for Goulburn Hospital and new beds for Chisholm Ross
- 29 February 2012 - $10,000 scholarships to attract more nurses
Rural Surgery Futures Report 2011-2021
Information bulletin
- Nurses' Association Annual Conference and Professional Day 2012-IB2012_005-03/02/2012
Northern Territory. Department of Health
Media release
- Kon Vatskalis - Minister tours $18.6 Million Medi-Hotel with New Doctors - Royal Darwin Hospital's new 100-bed short term patient accommodation facility - dubbed the "Medi-Hotel" - is progressing rapidly, with work now moving to its walls and roof.
South Australia. Department of Health
Media releases
- 26 February 2012 - Glenside site clean-up costs increase
- 25 February 2012 - Nominations invited for smoke-free air awards
- 25 February 2012 - Kilojoule labelling on menu boards by 2013
Tasmania. Department of Health & Human Services
Media releases
- 1 March 2012 - Improving cancer treatment for Tasmanians - Minister for Health
- 27 February 2012 - New smoke-free areas creating a healthier Tasmania - Minister for Health
- 1 March 2012 - Governing council members for Tasmanian health organisations
- 28 February 2012 - More support for grandparents raising grandchildren
- 27 February 2012 - Request for tender - Marketing and Sale of Housing Tasmania Properties
- 24 February 2012 - Paramedic retires after 46-year career
- 23 February 2012 - Air quality
Victoria. Department of Health
2 March 2012 - Environmental sustainability and climate adaptation in healthcare - The Department of Health has adopted an overarching set of Sustainability Principles that commits it to respond to the challenges of a changing climate and embed sustainability within its core business.
1 March 2012 - Box Hill breakthrough for leukaemia patients - When Adam Bregu was diagnosed with cancer during the final stages of his VCE, he was determined to get through it – by being treated like a child.
Western Australia. Department of Health
Media releases
- 29 February 2012 - Minister for Mental Health: WA agencies pledge to prevent suicide
- 29 February 2012 - Minister for Mental Health: WA implements cultural mental health services
- 28 February 2012 - Ministers for Health and Regional Development: Junior doctor increase for WA rural areas
- 27 February 2012 - Minister for Health: Hundreds apply to join health governing councils
New Zealand. Ministry of Health
29 February 2012 - New Zealand Maternity Clinical Indicators 2009 - The New Zealand Maternity Clinical Indicators are an integral part of the Ministry of Health's Maternity Quality Initiative. These indicators are evidence-based and cover a range of procedures and outcomes for mothers and their babies. This benchmarked data will be used to support the local clinical review of maternity services.
28 February 2012 - The Environmental Case Management of Lead-Exposed Persons - These guidelines help public health units to determine the risk of a lead hazards and gives appropriate advice on managing the risk, including risk communication. These revised guidelines build on the 1998 and 2007 editions.
28 February 2012 - A Focus on Maori nutrition - This report presents key findings for Maori from the 2008/09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey, including energy and nutrient intake, dietary supplement use, eating patterns, food security and nutritionrelated health (eg body size, blood pressure and diabetes).
28 February 2012 - A Focus on Pacific Nutrition - This report presents key findings for Pacific peoples from the 2008/09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey, including energy and nutrient intake, dietary supplement use, eating patterns, food security and nutritionrelated health (eg body size, blood pressure and diabetes).
28 February 2012 - Guidance on Surveillance for People at Increased Risk of Colorectal Cancer - This guideline provides evidence-based surveillance recommendations for people at increased risk of colorectal cancer. It updates the 2004 publication Surveillance and Management of Groups at Increased Risk of Colorectal Cancer. It is intended for primary and secondary care providers.
28 February 2012 - Bowel cancer: information for people at increased risk of bowel cancer - Bowel cancer is the second-most common cancer in both men and women in New Zealand.
United Kingdom. Department of Health
Over £100 million given to support groundbreaking clinical research - Over £100m will be invested in NHS clinical research facilities to develop new treatments to benefit thousands of patients. The money, provided by the National Institute for Health Research, will be ... Read more – Over £100 million given to support groundbreaking clinical research
£22 million for ground-breaking children's mental health programme - Up to £22m will be pumped into a pioneering programme to give children with mental health problems access to the best available services in a wider range of places. The ... Read more – £22 million for ground-breaking children's mental health programme
New site to take you inside government - A new test version of a single website for government was made live today. "Inside government" is the corporate platform that will be for specialists seeking a "behind the scenes"... Read more – New site to take you inside government
UK Plan for rare diseases consultation launched - Earlier diagnosis of a rare condition and better coordinated care will help improve the quality of life for people with rare diseases and their families, according to the first ever ... Read more – UK Plan for rare diseases consultation launched
Paul Burstow to take part in Gransnet webchat - Minister for Care Services, Paul Burstow will be taking part in a live webchat on Gransnet, the social networking site for grandparents. The chat with the Minister and the Townswomen's ... Read more – Paul Burstow to take part in Gransnet webchat
Latest topics referred to NICE: January 2012 - Department of Health ministers agreed to refer the following topics to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in January, to begin the process of developing guidance for ... Read more – Latest topics referred to NICE: January 2012
Webchat on autism - On Wednesday 7 March at 2pm, David Behan, Director General for Social Care, Local Government and Care Partnerships will host a webchat with Mark Lever, Chief Executive of the National Autistic Society on issues ... Read more – Webchat on autism
Acting FAST can save hundreds of lives - A campaign set to save the lives of stroke victims from across the country launches today. These hard hitting adverts, which will run until 25 March, aim to get people ... Read more – Acting FAST can save hundreds of lives
Government response to report on public expenditure - Today, the Government published its response to the Health Select Committee report on public expenditure. The Committee's report followed an inquiry into the implications for health and social care services ... Read more – Government response to report on public expenditure
United States of America. Department of Health & Human Services
1 March 2012 - Statement from Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Women's History Month - Women's History Month is an important time of reflection and celebration for all Americans. We recognise the extraordinary accomplishments of women throughout history, and we celebrate the power of their vital contributions to shape our Nation's future.
29 February 2012 - HHS Statement on Cigarette Health Warning Ruling - This Administration is determined to do everything we can to warn young people about the dangers of smoking, which remains the leading cause of preventable death in America.
28 February 2012 - HHS Secretary Sebelius announces environmental justice strategy - Health & Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, along with other federal agencies, today released the Department's 2012 Environmental Justice Strategy and Implementation Plan, outlining steps that will be taken to protect communities facing greater health and environmental risks.
24 February 2012 - Secretary Sebelius announces next stage for providers adopting electronic health records - Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius today announced the next steps for providers who are using electronic health record technology and receiving incentive payments from Medicare and Medicaid.
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