JUDGMENTS

Tasmania. Health Practitioners Tribunal

The Tasmanian Board of the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia v Angela Shone (Ref No. 1/2012) [2012] TASHPT 2 (24 April 2012)

The Tasmanian Board of the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia (applicant) and Angela Shone, a nurse (respondent), sought orders by the Health Practitioners Tribunal that gave effect to the terms agreed to by the parties following mediation.

Whilst working at St Ann's Compton Downs aged facility one day, the respondent failed to administer prescription medication to some patients, did not make records to that effect, but instead recorded that the medication had been administered. She did not inform any staff member of this. The next day, she documented that the medication was not administered. The entries should have been made the day before.

The Tribunal stated its primary role was ensuring public safety and maintaining professional standards. It therefore formed its own opinion as to the conduct complained and sanction suggested.

It noted that the respondent acknowledged her wrongdoing, was under a great deal of stress and had told her employer of the unrealistic work demands. There was no significant risk she would do it again and interim sanctions and employment termination had affected her.

The Tribunal found there was unprofessional conduct and deemed the orders submitted by the parties appropriate. The Respondent was reprimanded under section 196(2)(a) of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Tasmania) Act 2010 (Tas). She was to receive a period of supervised practice and attend weekly meetings with a Supervisor to reflect on medication and ethical issues. Supervisors would report each month and once three reports were satisfactory, the respondent could stop attending meetings.

LEGISLATION

Commonwealth

Health Insurance Amendment (Professional Services Review) Bill 2012 C2012B00070 - Representatives 9/5/2012 Introduced and read a first time

National Health (Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Amendment Instrument 2012 (No. 4) (No. PB 33 of 2012) - F2012L01005 " PB 33 of 2012 as made

National Health Act 1953 - Amendment determination under paragraph 98C(1)(b) -conditions (No. PB 34 of 2012) - F2012L01004 " PB 34 of 2012 as made

Private Health Insurance (Complying Product) Amendment Rules 2012 (No. 3) - F2012L01003 " as made

New South Wales

Health Legislation Amendment Bill - Legislative Assembly 9/5/2012 Moved second reading, debate adjourned

REPORTS

Australia. Department of Health & Ageing

Media releases

Budget Media Releases:

Asbestos: A guide for householders and the general public - May 2012

Private Health Insurance Circulars

Ageing

Medical Benefits Scheme rebates and financial incentives are available for a range of specialist video consultations. - More Information

Telehealth changes announced in the 2012-2013 Budget

Changes to the Extended Medicare Safety Net - 1 November 2012 - This fact sheet has been updated to reflect the 2012-13 Budget decision that Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN) benefit caps will be introduced for additional items from 1 November 2012.

Australia. National Health & Medical Research Council

10 May 2012 - Guideline Developers Network Meeting - The Monash University School of Primary Health Care and NHMRC are co-hosting the Guideline Developers Network Meeting in Melbourne on 24 May 2012. We invite anyone involved in the planning, development or implementation of guidelines to attend. For more information about the Network and the meeting contact clinicalguidelines@nhmrc.gov.au.

8 May 2012 - CEO Update: Outcomes of the 2012-13 Budget for NHMRC

Research Tracker – 4 May 2012 edition

Australia. Private Health Insurance Ombudsman

9 May 2012 - Quarterly Bulletin 62: 1 January 2012 to 31 March 2012 - The latest Bulletin is now online.... Read More

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (and the Boards)

  • 9 May 2012 - The Chinese Medicine Board of Australia releases its latest Communiqué. | Read Article
  • 9 May 2012 - Chinese Medicine Board New Codes and Guidelines released | Read Article
  • 8 May 2012 - The Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia releases its Communiqué on English Language Skills. | Read Article
  • 7 May 2012 - Quarterly registered health practitioner data released today. | Read Article
  • 7 May 2012 - The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia releases its latest Communiqué. | Read Article
  • 4 May 2012 - The Dental Board of Australia releases its latest Communiqué. | Read Article
  • 4 May 2012 - The Board recognises a special day for midwives in communities across the nation. | Read Article
  • 4 May 2012 - The Podiatry Board of Australia announces forum to be held in Western Australia. | Read Article
  • 4 May 2012 - Medical Radiation Practice Board has released an FAQ on registration | Read Article
  • 4 May 2012 - The Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia releases its latest Communiqué. | Read Article
  • 2 May 2012 - Medical Radiation Practice Board - The "Registering with the National Board" FAQ has been updated. | Read Article

Australian Bureau of Statistics

Australians drinking less (Media Release) 2010-11 (cat no. 4307.0.55.001)

Australian National Council on Drugs

4 May 2012 - Second Australian Needle and Syringe Program Return on Investment Study (media release)

Australia. Therapeutic Goods Administration

ANZTPA Update email list - Email subscription service notifying of news and updates related to the Australia New Zealand Therapeutic Products Authority or its business to business projects.

10 May 2012 - Improved search facilities from the eBS website - The Therapeutic Goods Administration has launched an improved interface for the publicly accessible eBusiness Services (eBS) website.

9 May 2012 - Draft compositional guideline: Magnesium citrate - dibasic tetrahydrate - Closing date: 22 June 2012.

8 May 2012 - Australian Public Assessment Reports for prescription medicines (AusPARs).

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare

Structured Microbiology Requests and Reports for eSurveillance of Healthcare Associated Infections - Call for expressions of interest to pilot.

New South Wales. Department of Health

Media releases

Information bulletins

Policy directives

Northern Territory. Department of Health

Media releases

Queensland. Department of Health

South Australia. Department of Health

Media releases

Tasmania. Department of Health & Human Services

Media release

Victoria. Department of Health

Media releases

Western Australia. Department of Health

Media releases

Western Australia. Department of Health

WA Health Performance Report – January to March 2012 Quarter (PDF 1.3MB)

New Zealand. Ministry of Health

9 May 2012 - Resource and Capability Framework for Adult Palliative Care Services in New Zealand - The Resource and Capability Framework (the Framework) is intended to inform the completion of the final specialist palliative care service specifications. Read more

Draft Bill to modernise adult care and support in England included in Queen's Speech - The Queen's Speech included a draft bill to modernise adult care and support in England, setting out what support people could expect from government. Read more

->- Draft Bill to modernise adult care and support in England included in Queen's Speech

Statement on decision to veto the disclosure of the Transition Risk Register - The Secretary of State has today made a statement to Parliament explaining his decision to veto the disclosure of the Transition Risk Register. Read more ->– Statement on decision to veto the disclosure of the Transition Risk Register

Risk Register will not be published - The Department of Health's Transition Risk Register from November 2010, which was a statement of potential risks of National Health Service (NHS) changes, will not be published, following Cabinet agreement.Read more ->– Risk Register will not be published

Sir Alasdair Breckenridge appointed Chair of Emerging Science and Bioethics Advisory Committee - Sir Alasdair Breckenridge has been confirmed as Chair of the newly established Emerging Science and Bioethics Advisory Committee. He will take up post immediately. Read more ->– Sir Alasdair Breckenridge appointed Chair of Emerging Science and Bioethics Advisory Committee

Coughing could be a sign of lung cancer - A new campaign to raise awareness of the symptoms of lung cancer urges people to go and see their GP if they have had a cough. Read more ->– Coughing could be a sign of lung cancer

Save lives: Clean your hands - New cases of MRSA bloodstream infection have dropped by 41 % and C. difficile by 30% across the NHS in England since 2009/10. Read more ->– Save lives: Clean your hands

Canada. Health Canada

8 May 2012 - Harper Government Welcomes Mental Health Strategy - A call to action for all Canadians

Australian Medical Association

9 May 2012 - Cuts to Practice Incentive Payments (PIP) penalise GPs and pose public health risks - AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that last night's Budget cuts to PIPs to GPs will have a double negative impact on the health system by penalising GPs for not meeting new higher targets for cervical cancer screening and specialised diabetes care and removing incentives for immunisation. Dr Hambleton said these measures, along with changes to the e-health PIP, have the potential to pose serious public health risks and undermine successful preventive health programs that are providing health benefits to many Australians. Read more

8 May 2012 - Health budget reflects the economic times - AMA President, Dr Steven Hambleton said tonight that the government had done the right thing by sparing health from broad funding cuts to provide a budget for tough economic times and to fund a budget surplus. "Health has generally been sheltered from the budget cuts," Dr Hambleton said.

British Medical Association

The alcohol emergency - When Lisa Smyth spent a night on an emergency department, she witnessed first-hand how alcohol misuse is stretching health services to breaking point.

BMA calls for action on aid worker safety - Death of Red Cross worker prompts drive for protection.

Canadian Medical Association

8 May 2012 - Resident training: How many hours are too many?

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