Welcome to this week's edition of Health Alert. The Health Alert is transmitted on Monday of each week (unless there is a public holiday on Monday).
Health Alert is a summary of the critical judgments, legislation, press releases and news items which have come to our attention each week. Many of the summaries will contain a hyperlink.
If an item is of special interest, we may insert commentary into the body of Health Alert. However in general, Health Alert is a quick and effective means of ensuring that you are aware of significant recent changes with little or no commentary from ourselves.
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Nigel Preston and the DLA Phillips Fox Health Team
JUDGMENTS
New South Wales. Medical Tribunal
18/06/10: Rao, Balaji
18/06/10: Balafas, John
South Australia
H Ltd v J & anor [2010] SASC 176
The plaintiff in this case owns and operates aged care facilities. The first defendant is a resident in one of the aged care facilities.
The first defendant suffers from post polio syndrome and Type 1 diabetes. She has no use of the right side of her body, is confined to a wheelchair and has no prospect of any improvement.
On 19 January 2010 the first defendant informed the plaintiff that she intended to end her life by ceasing to take food, water and insulin. On 4 March 2010, the first defendant made an anticipatory direction pursuant to the Consent to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act 1995 (SA), which instructs her medical practitioners not to provide nutrition and to provide only palliative care even if it shortens her life. On 7 May 2010, the first defendant executed an Enduring Power of Guardian, instructing her guardians that if she becomes mentally incapacitated she is not to be provided with any nutrition, hydration or insulin except for palliative purposes.
The proceedings in this case were brought by the plaintiff to obtain a declaration which would allow it to determine whether it could legally comply with the first defendant's proposed direction.
The first question the Court addressed was whether there was a 'matter' before the Court. The Court found that the action brought by the plaintiff is a 'matter', as the proceedings have been brought to settle the controversy and uncertainty regarding whether the rights of the defendant to self determination must be followed and respected by the plaintiff.
The second question the Court addressed was whether it was appropriate to make a declaration. The Court referred to various cases which are authority for the principle that in exceptional circumstances, declarations may be made regarding conduct that could be the subject of criminal charges. The Court decided that it would make declarations as to the proper construction of the legislation and its operation on a direction like the direction proposed by the defendant.
The Court considered whether the first defendant's proposed actions constituted suicide. The Court contended that it would be contrary to the provisions of the Consent to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act (SA) to hold that the refusal of substance and medicine is suicide. The Court found that the refusal of substance and medicine is not suicide.
The Court made a declaration that the plaintiff is under no duty and has no legal justification to feed or provide nutrition, hydration or insulin to the first defendant if there are likely to be consequences to her life or health.
The Court considered whether complying with the proposed direction would infringe the provisions of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA) (CLCA). In regards to the CLCA, the Court made declarations to the following effect:
- By acting in accordance with the direction, the plaintiff does not enter into a suicide pact and does not aid and abet the suicide of the first defendant within the meaning of s13A of the CLCA;
- The plaintiff is not under a duty to protect the first defendant from the consequences of compliance with the direction for the purposes of s14 CLCA;
- The plaintiff will not, by complying with the first defendants direction, cause any harm to the first defendant for the purposes of s29 of the CLCA;
- The plaintiff has a lawful excuse for any omission to provide nutrition, hydration and insulin for the purposes of s29 of the CLCA; and
- The plaintiff is not 'liable to provide necessary food' within the meaning of that expression in s30 of the CLCA'.
Further, the Court considered whether complying with the proposed direction would infringe the provisions of the Aged Care Act 1997 (Cth). In regards to the Aged Care Act the Court made a declaration that the plaintiff does not have a responsibility to provide nutrition under the relevant sections of the Quality of Care Principles made pursuant to this Act other than in accordance with the direction.
New Zealand. Health & Disability Commissioner
09HDC01190 DHB - Diagnosis and management of paediatric fever.04 Jun 2010
09HDC01081 Dentist - Standard of dental treatment; informed consent.
LEGISLATION
Commonwealth
National Health and Hospitals Network Bill 2010 - C2010B00140 - Health - A Bill for an Act relating to the National Health and Hospitals Network, and for other purposes
Health Insurance (Duplex Scanning for Erectile Dysfunction) Determination 2010 (No. 1) - F2010L01659 - Health - This Determination revokes and remakes the Health Insurance Determination HS/5/1997 to reflect contemporary drafting practice and preserve the special conditions of service for the identified medical practitioner.
Aged Care (Amount of Flexible Care Subsidy - Innovative Care Services) Determination 2010 (No. 1) - F2010L01650 - Health - This Determination revokes the Aged Care (Amount of flexible care subsidy - Innovative Care Services) Determination 2009 (No. 1) and specifies the amount of flexible care subsidy payable in respect of different types of innovative care, including consumer directed care.
Aged Care (Residential Care Subsidy - Amount of Enteral Feeding Supplement) Determination 2010 (No. 1) - F2010L01293 - Health - This Determination revokes the Aged Care (Residential Care Subsidy - Amount of Enteral Feeding Supplement) Determination 2009 (No. 1) and sets the daily rate for bolus and non bolus feeding with effect from 1 July 2010 and also outlines a method for calculating the amount of enteral feeding supplement to be paid where the actual cost to the approved provider of administering enteral feeding to the care recipient is equal to or more than 125% of the daily rate.
Flexible Care Subsidy Amendment Principles 2010 (No. 1) - F2010L01652 - Health - These Principles amend the Flexible Care Subsidy Principles 1997 to extend their operation to a new kind of care for which flexible care may be payable and makes a minor technical amendment to update the definition of "Aged Care Assessment Team".
Health Insurance (Indium-labelled Octreotide Study) Determination 2010 - F2010L01654 - Health - This Determination revokes the Health Insurance (Indium-labelled Octreotide Study) Determination HS/09/2006 and adds the service specified in the Determination to the Diagnostic Imaging Services Table from 1 July 2010.
Health Insurance (Leukoscan) Determination 2010 - F2010L01653 - Health - This Determination revokes the Health Insurance (Leukoscan) Determination HS/08/2006 to add the service specified in the Determination to the Diagnostic Imaging Services Table.
National Health (Indigenous Chronic Disease - PBS Co-payment Measure) Special Arrangements Instrument 2010 (No. PB 66 of 2010) - F2010L01724 - Health - This instrument makes special arrangments to assist eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients to access PBS medicines with reduced patient co-payments under the PBS Co-payment Measure.
Private Health Insurance (Data Provision) Rules 2010 - F2010L01753 - Health - These Rules revoke the Private Health Insurance (Data Provision) Rules 2009 and specify the kinds of information relating to the treatment of insured persons that private health insurers are to give to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Ageing.
Private Health Insurance (Health Insurance Business) Rules 2010 - F2010L01740 - Health - These Rules revoke and replace the Private Health Insurance (Health Insurance Business) Rules 2009 and provide for private health insurers to expand hospital products to cover a broader range of services that substitute for or prevent hospitalisation, and categorise privately insured services as being hospital or general treatment.
Quality of Care Amendment Principles 2010 (No. 1) - F2010L01651 - Health - These Principles amend the Quality of Care Principles 1997 to reduce regulatory burden on the aged care industry by abolishing the annual fire safety declaration for those aged care homes that have met state, territory and local government authority fire standards.
Aged Care (Amount of Flexible Care Subsidy - Extended Aged Care at Home - Dementia) Determination 2010 (No. 1) - F2010L01530 - Health - This Determination revokes the Aged Care (Amount of flexible care subsidy - Extended Aged Care at Home - Dementia) Determination 2009 (No. 1) and specifies the method for working out the daily amount of flexible care subsidy payable in respect of an EACHD care recipient with rates effective from 1 July 2010.
Aged Care (Amount of Flexible Care Subsidy - Extended Aged Care at Home) Determination 2010 (No. 1) - F2010L01529 - Health - This Determination revokes the Aged Care (Amount of flexible care subsidy - Extended Aged Care at Home) Determination 2009 (No. 1) and specifies the method for working out the amount of flexible care subsidy for a day in respect of an EACH care recipient, with rates effective from 1 July 2010.
Aged Care (Amount of Flexible Care Subsidy - Innovative Care Service - Congress Community Development and Education Unit Ltd) Determination 2010 (No. 1) - F2010L01532 - Health - This Determination extends the provision of flexible care subsidy in respect of the places allocated to Congress Community Development and Education Unit Ltd through the Aged Care Innovative Pool 2010-11 until 6 July 2011.
Aged Care (Amount of Flexible Care Subsidy - Multi-Purpose Services) Determination 2010 (No. 1) - F2010L01531 - Health - This Determination revokes the Aged Care (Amount of flexible care subsidy - multi-purpose services) Determination 2009 (No. 2) and specifies the method of flexible care subsidy payable for a day to an MPS, with rates effective from 1 July 2010.
Aged Care (Amount of Flexible Care Subsidy - Transition Care Services) Determination 2010 (No. 1) - F2010L01535 - Health - This Determination revokes the Aged Care (Amount of flexible care subsidy - Transition Care Services) Determination 2009 (No. 1) and sets the amount of flexible care subsidy that is payable for flexible care in the form of transition care for each day that an approved provider's flexible care place is occupied by a care recipient who is approved to receive and is provided with, transition care on that day with rates effective 1 July 2010.
Aged Care (Community Care Subsidy Amount) Determination 2010 (No. 1) - F2010L01528 - Health - This Determination revokes the Aged Care (Community Care Subsidy Amount) Determination 2009 (No. 1) and specifies the method for working out the amount of community care subsidy payable for a day in respect of a community care recipient, with rates effective from 1 July 2010.
ged Care (Residential Care Subsidy - Adjusted Subsidy Reduction) Determination 2010 (No. 1) - F2010L01295 - Health - This Determination revokes the Aged Care (Residential Care Subsidy - Adjusted Subsidy Reduction) Determination 2009 (No. 1) and sets the adjusted subsidy reduction amount with effect from 1 July 2010.
Aged Care (Residential Care Subsidy - Amount of Oxygen Supplement) Determination 2010 (No. 1) - F2010L01294 - Health - This Determination revokes the Aged Care (Residential Care Subsidy - Amount of Oxygen Supplement) Determination 2009 (No. 1) and sets the oxygen supplement rate with effect from 1 July 2010 and outlines a method for caluclating the amount of oxygen supplement to be paid where the actual cost to the approved provider of administering oxygen to the care recipient is equal to or more than 125% of the daily rate.
Aged Care (Residential Care Subsidy - Amount of Viability Supplement) Determination 2010 (No. 1) - F2010L01512 - Health - This Determination revokes the Aged Care (Residential care subsidy - amount of viability supplement) Determination 2009 (No. 2) and sets the amount of the viability supplement payable under the 1997, 2001 and 2005 schemes with rates effective 1 July 2010.
Aged Care (Residential Care Subsidy - Basic Subsidy Amount) Determination 2010 (No. 1) - F2010L01480 - Health - This Determination revokes the Aged Care (Residential Care Subsidy - Basic Subsidy Amount) Determination 2009 (No. 1) and specifies the indexed rates of basic subsidy to apply from 1 July 2010.
Health Insurance (Positron Emission Tomography) Facilities Determination 2010 - F2010L01605 - Health - This instrument revokes and replaces the Health Insurance (Positron Emission Tomography) Facilities Determination 2009 (No. 2) to make technical amendments to clarify the interpretation of several Medicare benefit items and also allows the continued eligibility of Medicare benefits for positron emission tomography services.
National Health Act 1953 - Amendment declaration under subsections 85(2) and 85(2AA) - Amendment determination under subsection 85(2A) - drugs and medicinal preparations (No. PB 54 of 2010) - F2010L01623 - Health - This Declaration amends the National Health Act 1953 - Declaration under subsections 85(2) and 85(2AA) - Determination under subsection 85(2A) - drugs and medicinal preparations (No. PB 14 of 2010) to declare changes to the list of drugs and medicinal preparations available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
National Health Act 1953 - Amendment determination under paragraph 98C(1)(b) - conditions (No. PB 58 of 2010) - F2010L01622 - Health - This Determination amends the National Health Act 1953 - Determination under paragraph 98C(1)(b) - conditions (No. PB 119 of 2008) to provide for conditions for payments in respect of supply of pharmaceutical benefits by approved pharmacists and medical practitioners.
National Health Act 1953 - Amendment determination under section 84AF - responsible persons (No. PB 56 of 2010) - F2010L01631 - Health - This Determination amends the National Health Act 1953 - Determination under section 84AF - responsible persons (No. PB 16 of 2010) to determine responsible persons for a brand of a pharmaceutical item in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
National Health Act 1953 - Amendment determination under section 85B - price determinations and special patient contributions (No. PB 57 of 2010) - F2010L01635 - Health - This Determination amends the National Health Act 1953 - Determination under section 85B - Price determinations and special patient contributions (No. PB 18 of 2010) to give effect to the circumstances in which the Commonwealth is to pay the special contribution for the brand of pharmaceutical item.
National Health Act 1953 - Amendment determinations under sections 85, 85A and 88 - pharmaceutical benefits (No. PB 55 of 2010) - F2010L01637 - Health - This Determination amends the National Health Act 1953 - Determinations under sections 85, 85A and 88 - Pharmaceutical benefits (No. PB 15 of 2010) to provide name, dosage and method of administration of drugs in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
National Health Act 1953 - Amendment special arrangements under subsection 100(1) - Chemotherapy Pharmaceuticals Access Program (No. PB 60 of 2010) - F2010L01644 - Health - These Arrangements amend the National Health Act 1953 - Special Arrangements under subsection 100(1) - Chemotherapy Pharmaceuticals Access Program (No. PB 55 of 2009) to delete a form of chemotherapy pharmaceutical available at public hospitals to non-admitted patients, day-admitted patients or patients on discharge.
National Health (Remote Aboriginal Health Services Program) Special Arrangements Instrument 2010 (No. PB 65 of 2010) - F2010L01537 - Health - These Arrangements revoke National Health Act 1953 - Special Arrangement Made Under Paragraph 100(1)(a) - Remote Aboriginal Health Services Program (No. PB 57 of 2009) and improve access to essential medicines for clients of remote Aboriginal Health Services by addressing geographic, financial and cultural barriers by removing the need for a PBS co-payment and script.
Private Health Insurance (Benefit Requirements) Amendment Rules 2010 (No. 3) - F2010L01646 - Health - These Rules amend the Private Health Insurance (Benefit Requirements) Rules 2010 to vary schedules 1, 2, 3 and 4 to provide the minimum benefit levels, reflecting the increase of 2.9% in the CPI in the year from March 2009 to March 2010.
Private Health Insurance (Complying Product) Amendment Rules 2010 (No. 2) - F2010L01647 - Health - These Rules amend the Private Health Insurance (Complying Product) Rules 2010 to make minor changes to the amount for the Nursing-Home Type Patient contributions at public hospitals in the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
REPORTS
Australia. Department of Health & Ageing
Media releases
- 24 June 2010- Australian Government Acts on Victorian Nursing Home-The Australian Government has imposed sanctions on Islamic Society of Melbourne Eastern Regions Inc, the approved provider of Isomer Retirement Home in Victoria.
- 24 June 2010- Healthcare Identifiers: Passed by Parliament-Legislation to set up the Healthcare Identifiers Service has been passed by Parliament.
- 23 June 2010- Australia's Health 2010-The 2010 edition of Australia's Health has been released by Australian Institue of Health and Welfare.
- 23 June 2010- Boost for GPs to Train the Next Generation-Boosting GP services forms part of the Australian Government's agenda to build a better health and better hospital system for Australian families.
- 21 June 2010- Comprehensive Support for Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Just a Phone Call Away-The Australian Government is providing more support for Australian women and their families with a new expanded national 24 hour Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Helpline commencing on 1 July 2010.
- 21 June 2010- Thousands More Receive Their Elective Surgery Under Australian Government Reforms-More than 35,000 extra people received elective surgery in 2009, compared with the same period in 2007.
Private Health Insurance Circular
Improving Aged Care for Forgotten Australians - The Australian Government has announced new initiatives aimed at meeting the service and support needs of Forgotten Australians. 16 June 2010
Australia. Osteopathy Board of Australia
New Continuing Professional Development Guidelines for osteopaths - The Osteopathy Board of Australia has published Guidelines on continuing professional development. A Fact Sheet explaining the new obligations for osteopaths is also available.
Australia. Pharmacy Board of Australia
Codes and Guidelines to take effect on 1 July 2010 - The Pharmacy Board of Australia has published its Guidelines on continuing professional development which will take effect on 1 July 2010.
New national Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) registration standard for pharmacists - The Pharmacy Board of Australia has published its Approved PII Registration standard which will take effect on 1 July 2010.
Australia. Therapeutic Goods Administration
Summary of fees and charges at 1 July 2010 (new)
Notes accompanying summary of fees and charges at 1 July 2010 (new)
TGA fees and charges explanatory note (new)
Low value turnover exemptions
- Guidance on applying for low value turnover exemption from annual charges (added 2010-2011 information)
- Low value turnover application (added 2010-2011 forms)
Human papillomavirus vaccine (GARDASIL) (updated)
For consultation - Proposed changes to Product Information (PI) (new)
RFT 14/0910: Membership nominations for the TGA Therapeutic Products Assessment Panel (added information session details)
Amendments to the regulations (updated)
RFT 14/0910: Membership nominations for the TGA Therapeutic Products Assessment Panel (amendment to closing date)
Medical device recall: Survival Saline solution (15 ml) (new)
Questions & answers on the code of good manufacturing practice (updated answers to questions 1, 9 & 25)
Australian Public Assessment Report (AusPAR) for prescription medicines (added Adefovir dipivoxil, Agalsidase alfa ghu & Risperidone)
Counterfeit Viagra (sildenafil) 100mg tablets (new)
Therapeutic Goods Committee (TGC) (updated)
Advisory Committee on Non-prescription Medicines (ACNM), 2010 meeting dates (updated)
Australian Institute of Health & Welfare
Australia's health 2010 - Australia's health 2010 is the 12th biennial health report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It's the nation's premier source of statistics and informed commentary on: determinants of ... Published 23 June 2010.
Australia's health 2010-in brief - All in all, Australia is a healthy nation. We do face challenges, however, and there is certainly scope for improvement. Australia's health 2010 - in brief presents key points and ...Published 23 June 2010.
Australian Commission on Safety & Quality in Health Care
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission
ACCC proposes to allow Vision Group clinics to agree on fees - The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission proposes to grant authorisation to Vision Grou... - Issued: 9th June 2010 Release # NR 120/10
Australian Capital Territory. Department of Health
Media releases
- New Strategy to continue reduction of harmful impacts of drug use Katy Gallagher, MLA June 24 2010
- Stamp duty and payroll tax changes Katy Gallagher, MLA June 22 2010
- Government tables response to Assembly inquiry into Primary Health Care Katy Gallagher, MLA June 22 2010
- Increased disclosure of executive remuneration for Territory-Owned Corporations Katy Gallagher, MLA June 22 2010
Alcohol, Tobacco And Other Drug Strategy 2010 - 2014 - The ACT Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Strategy 2010-2014 outlines a series of actions aimed at reducing the harms associated with the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in the ACT community. The Strategy reports in detail on the following areas, outlining a current assessment of the situation and challenges, identifying target populations and areas for further intervention, and where appropriate, describing drug availability: " tobacco " alcohol " other drugs " comorbidity " consumer participation " education, and " workforce development ACT Health-Wide PolicyCED10-013 Alcohol, Tobacco And Other Drug Strategy 2010 - 2014 (PDF File 879k) - Alcohol, Tobacco And Other Drug Strategy - Summary
Public Health lunchtime talks (21 June 2010) - These talks are open to anyone in the Public and Private sectors with an interest in public health issues.
New South Wales. Department of Health
Media release
- NSW Suicide Prevention Strategy released for public consultation [23 June 2010]
- New Beds For Kids Hospitals [18 June 2010]
Policy directives & guidelines
- Influenza - Guidelines for the Intensive Care Unit 2010 GL2010_007 24/06/2010
- Maternity - Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring PD2010_040 23/06/2010
- Internal Audit PD2010_039 23/06/2010
- Influenza - Minimising Transmission of Influenza in Healthcare Facilities: 2010 Influenza Season GL2010_006 22/06/2010
- Accommodation - Health Owned - Consideration of Rental/Market Rental Assistance Grant PD2010_038 18/06/2010
Northern Territory. Department of Health & Families
Turning point for recruitment following Child Protection Inquiry
Drug Action Week - Volatile Substances
Media releases
- Dr Chris Burns - New Bellamack Seniors Village to start construction - Construction will begin on 40 new public housing units as part of the new Bellamack Seniors Village next month.
- Kon Vatskalis - Dental Blitz Means Healthier Teeth For Territorians - The waiting time for routine dental care in the NT has been slashed in half since the start of the NT Dental Wait List Blitz seven months ago.
Queensland. Department of Health
Media releases
- 22/06/2010 New register to combat Rheumatic Heart Disease
- 20/06/2010 ELECTIVE SURGERY LISTS TAKES A HIT
- 18/06/2010 QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO CLOSING THE GAP
Metro South Mental Health - Service Expansion website
South Australia. Department of Health
Media releases
- Patient safety report - Thursday, 24 June 2010 - A report has been tabled in Parliament by the Health Minister John Hill detailing serious events in public hospitals from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009. Minister Hill said. "Hospitals are busy places where people are working incredibly hard and often under intense pressure," he said. Read more...
- Making men better - Monday, 21 June 2010 - Too many South Australian men still drink too much, smoke too much, ignore symptoms of poor health and put off seeing their doctor, according to a new report released by SA Health. Health Minister John Hill said the report gives a really valuable insight into men's health issues and the ways they use health services – including why they sometimes don't. Read more...
Tasmania. Department of Health & Human Services
Media releases
- Ambulance Tasmania Scores 98 per cent Rating Minister for Health 23 June 2010
- Streamlining Patient Administration Minister for Health 22 June 2010
- National Health Reform: Tasmanian implementation - 24 Jun 2010
- Tasmanian Budget 2010-11 - 21 Jun 2010
Victoria. Department of Human Services
Media releases
- SOUTH WEST AIR AMBULANCE CELEBRATES 1ST ANNIVERSARY Published : - 25/06/2010
- Further details of south west cancer review announced Published : - 24/06/2010
- NEW $5 MILLION AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN COBURG Published : - 23/06/2010
- REGIONAL HOSPITALS TO SHARE IN WINTER BEDS BOOST Published : - 22/06/2010
- Extra hospital beds to meet winter demand 22.6.10 Published : - 22/06/2010
- Box Hill Hospital redevelopment work commences- 18 June 2010 - Works have commenced on the $407.5 million redevelopment of the Box Hill Hospital.
- Praise and honour for Victoria's healthcare volunteers - 18 June 2010 - Dedicated health volunteers in hospitals and communities across Victoria have been honoured at the 2010 Ministers for Health Volunteer Awards.
Western Australia. Department of Health
Media releases
- 22 Jun 2010 Hames New funds will help build WA's new children's hospital
- 22 Jun 2010 Hames Obstetrician to start work at Nickol Bay Hospital
New Zealand. Ministry of Health
24 Jun: Close-contact infectious diseases in New Zealand: Trends in ethnic inequalities in hospitalisations, 1989 to 2008 - This report describes the epidemiology of infectious diseases and close-contact infectious diseases (CCIDs) for the 20-year period from 1989 to 2008, with a specific focus on ethnic inequalities, with a focus on Maori.
United Kingdom. Department of Health
DH business expenses Quarter 3, October to December 2009
Breastfeeding and introducing solid foods: consumer insight summary
Letter from Sir David Nicholson: Revision to the NHS Operating Framework for 2010/11
Mobile Working Readiness Assessment Framework
The Influenza Immunisation Programme 2010/11
Widening participation in pre-registration nursing programmes
NHS Injury Cost Recovery scheme - latest monthly table of sums recovered
FOI release: McKinsey report on the fiscal future of the NHS
Palliative Care Australia
Residential Aged Care Palliative Approach Network : Newsletter : July 2010
EoL - Vol 2 No 1 - Winter 2010 - lang="EN-AU">What is required to deliver a health system that is patient focused, driven by information and organised for safety and quality? - Download EoL Winter 2010
PCA e-bulletin - June 2010 - lang="EN-AU">The June 2010 edition of the PCA e-bulletin is now available. Read about National Palliative Care Week and the government's health reform agenda. - Read the June 2010 PCA e-bulletin
Minister for Health launches NPCW 2010 - Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon. Nicola Roxon MP officially launched National Palliative Care Week 2010 at the PCA Breakfast at Parliament House. Listen to Minister Roxon's speech
Australian Medical Association
AMA supports call for greater organ donation awareness 24 June 2010 - 3:20pm - The AMA today backed calls from the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer for people, especially young people, to ensure that family and loved ones are aware of their wishes to donate their organs after death. Read more
Supporting family doctors - AMA listening tour 24 June 2010 - 1:30pm - The Federal AMA has commenced a series of grassroots meetings with GPs around the country to hear first hand how the current reforms of the health system are affecting general practices and family doctors at the local level. Last night, Federal AMA Vice President, Dr Steve Hambleton, and AMA Queensland President, Dr Gino Pecoraro, hosted a meeting of local doctors - AMA members and non-members, local graduates and international graduates - in suburban Brisbane. "General practice works. Build it up." Read more
Time to put focus on links between alcohol and cancer 24 June 2010 - 9:55am - AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said today that more needs to be done to stop young people from taking up drinking at an early age, including banning alcohol advertising and promotions that are targeted at teenagers and adolescents. Dr Pesce said that excess alcohol consumption is known to be a contributor to cancer rates in Australia. Read more
GPs get support to train new GPs 23 June 2010 - 5:55pm - The AMA welcomes today's announcement that the Federal Government has increased funding for GP supervisors who are teaching and training the next generation of GPs. AMA Vice President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said the 20 per cent increase in the supervision allowance acknowledges the dedication of GP supervisors to preserve and promote the vital role of general practice in the Australian health system. Read more
Support Family Doctors 23 June 2010 - 10:37am - AMA has produced a suite of brochures that GP's can give out to patients to help explain the importance of the family doctor. If you would like to order these brochures please see the attachments and email memberservices@ama.com.au with your order request.
The message is clear: More research is needed into the risks of alcohol intake during pregnancy 20 June 2010 - 12:00pm - MJA media release - Inconsistent guidelines for low alcohol intake or abstinence during pregnancy are confusing for pregnant women and have little effect on women's alcohol intake during pregnancy, according to research published in the Medical Journal of Australia. Read more
Male reproductive health linked to chronic diseases 20 June 2010 - 12:00pm - MJA media release - Male reproductive health problems may coexist with, or represent a marker for, other common conditions including heart disease and diabetes, according to an article published in the Medical Journal of Australia. Dr Carol Holden (PhD), of Andrology Australia, Monash University, VIC and co-authors Dr Carolyn Allan and Dr Robert McLachlan of Andrology Australia and Prince Henry's Institute, Melbourne, VIC, analysed research linking diabetes and cardiovascular disease to erectile dysfunction (ED). Read more
Family history neglected in medical records of acutely ill patients 20 June 2010 - 12:00pm - MJA media release - Medical staff rarely consider family history when caring for acutely ill patients in hospital, according to research published in the Medical Journal of Australia. Dr Andrew Langlands, from the Royal Perth Hospital, and co-authors conducted an audit of the medical records of 300 randomly selected patients who were admitted to the hospital's short-stay medical unit between July and December 2007. Their study showed that 73.7 per cent of patient records had no family history documented, and just 16 per cent contained a family history with specific details about the presence or absence of a medical condition in at least one relative. Read more
Medicines Australia
Pharmaceutical industry makes commitment to submit clinical trial results for publication - 22 June 2010 - Medicines Australia fully supports a new commitment by the global research-based pharmaceutical industry to submit for scientific journal publication the results of all its Phase III clinical trials. more
American Psychiatric Association. DSM-5 Development
A Consumer-Friendly Version of Frequently Asked Questions about DSM-5 Field Trials is Now Available
A Description of DSM-5 Field Trials is Now Available
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