Health alert (Australia) - 16 November 2015

DLA Piper 1 16 NOVEMBER 2015 Judgments....................................................................................................................................2 Commonwealth. Federal Court..................................................................................................2 New South Wales.......................................................................................................................2 Commonwealth. Fair Work Commission ...................................................................................3 Queensland................................................................................................................................3 Victoria .......................................................................................................................................4 Western Australia.......................................................................................................................4 Legislation....................................................................................................................................4 Commonwealth ..........................................................................................................................4 Queensland................................................................................................................................4 Victoria .......................................................................................................................................4 Western Australia.......................................................................................................................4 Reports .........................................................................................................................................5 Australia. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) ...................................5 Australia. Department of Health.................................................................................................5 Australia. Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the boards (AHPRA).............................5 Australia. National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA).......................................................6 Australia. National Blood Authority ............................................................................................6 Australia. National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) ...........................................6 Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW) ........................................................................7 Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care ..................................................7 Australian National Health Performance Authority (NHPA).......................................................7 Australia. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) ...................................................................7 Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Health Directorate...............................................................7 New South Wales (NSW). Ministry of Health.............................................................................7 New South Wales (NSW). Health Care Complaints Commission .............................................7 Northern Territory (NT). Department of Health ..........................................................................8 Queensland (QLD). Department of Health ................................................................................8 Queensland (QLD). Office of the Health Ombudsman ..............................................................8 South Australia (SA). Department for Health & Ageing .............................................................8 Tasmania (TAS). Department of Health & Human Services .....................................................9 DLA Piper 2 Victoria (VIC). Department of Health .........................................................................................9 Western Australia (WA). Department of Health .......................................................................10 New Zealand (NZ). Ministry of Health......................................................................................10 United Kingdom (UK). Department of Health...........................................................................10 United States of America (USA). Department of Health & Human Services...........................11 Australian Medical Association (AuMA)...................................................................................11 British Medical Association (BMA)...........................................................................................11 About us .....................................................................................................................................11 More information .......................................................................................................................12 JUDGMENTS Commonwealth. Federal Court 11 November 2015 - Ramsay Health Care Australia Pty Ltd v Compton [2015] FCA 1207 The Federal Court of Australia has dismissed an interim application by Adrian John Compton (the respondent) seeking that the Court exercise its discretion to "go behind" a Supreme Court judgement which was entered against the respondent to the tune of 10 million dollars . The primary proceeding before the Court concerns a Creditor's Petition filed by Ramsay Health Care Australia Pty Ltd (RHCA) which maintains that the respondent owes RHCA the amount awarded by the Supreme Court. The respondent, a director of a company in liquidation that distributed medical products to hospitals, opposes the Creditor's Petition on the basis that no debt "is or was really owed". In addition to filing a notice of opposition, the respondent filed an interim application seeking (inter alia) that the court "go behind" the Supreme Court judgment to investigate any actual indebtedness. In support of his application, the respondent relied on a "reconciliation" document which showed that his actual indebtedness was less than the amount entered by the Supreme Court judgement. Although RHCA accepted that the respondent's indebtedness was less than the judgment amount, RHCA argued that the circumstances did not enliven the Court's discretion to "go behind" the Supreme Court judgment. Finding in favour of RHCA, the Court held that the discretion cannot be enlivened in the current circumstances given the respondent was represented by Counsel, the evidence on quantum was available, and the respondent made a forensic decision not to put the quantum of indebtedness in issue before the Supreme Court. New South Wales 11 November 2015 - AIN v Medical Council of New South Wales [2015] NSWCATAP 241 The Appeal Panel of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal has partially allowed an appeal by a medical practitioner (the applicant), ordering that the Medical Council of NSW (the respondent) provide the applicant with access to certain information requested under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW). The Appeal Panel set aside the Tribunal's decision upholding the respondent's claim that the information requested was subject to legal professional privilege (LPP), concluding that the Tribunal had made errors of law in its findings. The Appeal Panel chose to substitute the Tribunal's decision with its own findings. The Appeal Panel specified instances where no evidence supported the facts upon which privilege was inferred, affirming that it is an error of law for the Tribunal to make a finding of fact when there is no evidence in support of that finding. The Appeal Panel particularly noted that the respondent's key employee, who held the "greatest knowledge" of the facts, was unavailable during the hearing. It emphasised that the onus of establishing LPP rests with the party claiming the privilege. DLA Piper 3 After considering each document in light of the available evidence, the Appeal Panel found that the respondent had not discharged its onus in respect of numerous documents for which it claimed privilege. However, the Appeal Panel maintained that certain sections of the requested information were indeed subject to LPP and should not be provided to the applicant. The Appeal Panel therefore ordered that respondent provide access to the applicant but made specific exceptions. 9 November 2015 - Bahramy v Medical Council of NSW (No 2) [2015] NSWCATOD 125 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (NSW) – Costs. Where order made that unsuccessful applicant pay respondent’s costs as agreed or failing agreement as determined by the Tribunal. Where parties cannot agree on quantum of costs. Tribunal determines a fair and reasonable sum to be paid by way of costs and disbursements. 13 November 2015 - Kirbach v Health Care Complaints Commission (No. 2) [2015] NSWCATAD 234 HEALTH CARE COMPLAINTS – social worker – code of conduct – risk to public health or safety – prohibition order –public statement – deterrence – publicity -- statement varied in light of the interests of the applicant’s children. 11 November 2015 - Health Care Complaints Commission v Chowdhury (No 2) [2015] NSWCATOD 127 PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE – Medical Profession – Non-compliance with conditions of registration – Finding of Professional Misconduct – Appropriate Order. 10 November 2015 - Health Care Complaints Commission v Contractor [2015] NSWCATOD 126 Pharmacist, Unsatisfactory Professional Conduct, Professional Misconduct, Dispensing Private Prescriptions as PBS Prescriptions, Stealing money from employer, Dispensing Schedule 8 drugs without valid prescriptions, dispensing Schedule 8 drugs without checking prescriptions and authenticity. Commonwealth. Fair Work Commission 10 November 2015 - Sirdesai v Eastern Health [2015] FWC 7705 Unfair dismissal - permission to use legal representation - permission for notice to produce documents 11 November 2015 - Mainak Majumdar v Peninsula Health T/A Frankston Hospital [2015] FWCFB 7679 Appeal against decision [2015] FWC 5667 of Commissioner Wilson at Melbourne on 24 August 2015 in matter number U2015/760 – Permission to appeal – Whether grounds of appeal attract public interest – Permission to appeal not granted – Fair Work Act 2009 – ss. 394, 400 and 604 10 November 2015 - Department of Health and Human Services East Division v Health Services Union [2015] FWCFB 7095 Appeal against decision [[2015] FWC 2463] of Commissioner Bissett at Melbourne on 15 April 2015 in matter number C2015/145 Queensland 11 November 2015 - Integrated Medical Technology Pty Ltd and Anor v Gilbert and Ors (No 3) [2015] QSC 133 PROCEDURE – COSTS – DEPARTING FROM THE GENERAL RULE – OTHER CASES – where the plaintiffs applied for an order that the defendants pay the costs of an application for further disclosure of material – where the defendant applied for an order that costs be awarded on the basis of success on issues on the application – whether the court should order costs on the basis of either parties’ arguments DLA Piper 4 Victoria 9 November 2015 - Kadac Proprietary Limited v Complete Health Products Pty Ltd & Ors [2015] VSC 613 PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE — Jurisdiction — Application by defendants to transfer proceedings to the Supreme Court of Queensland pursuant to Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ss 1337H and 1337L — Events and conduct occurred in Queensland — Issues concern conduct of defendants — Defendants based in Queensland — Company conducts business in Queensland — Proceeding transferred — Resource Equities Ltd v Carr [2007] WASC 246 and BHP Billiton Ltd v Schultz [2004] HCA 61 followed. Western Australia 6 November 2015 - Medical Board Of Australia v Veettill [2015] WASAT 124 Medical practitioner - National Law - Sexual conduct - Professional misconduct - Improper access to patient's records - Unsatisfactory professional performance 6 November 2015 - Kezic v St John of God Health Care Inc [2015] WASCA 220 Practice and procedure - Whether grounds of appeal have any reasonable prospect of succeeding - Application for leave to appeal - Whether costs can be awarded against an unsuccessful worker on appeal under s 267 of the Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981 (WA) LEGISLATION Commonwealth 13 November 2015 - Australian Immunisation Register Act 2015 - C2015A00138 - Act No. 138 of 2015 as made - Registered 13 November 2015 - Australian Immunisation Register (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2015 - C2015A00139 - Act No. 139 of 2015 as made - Registered 11 November 2015 - National Health Act 1953 - C2015C00564 - Act No. 95 of 1953 as amended Act compilation - registered 11/11/2015 6 November 2015 - Medical Research Future Fund Act 2015 - C2015C00563 - Act No. 116 of 2015 as amended 13 November 2015 - Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices) Amendment (In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices) Regulation 2015 - F2015L01791 - SLI 2015 No. 188 as made 13 November 2015 - Private Health Insurance (Complaints Levy) Amendment Rules 2015 - F2015L01789 - as made 13 November 2015 - Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code 2015 - F2015L01787 - as made 6 November 2015 - Private Health Insurance (Prostheses) Amendment Rules 2015 (No. 3) - F2015L01764 - as made Queensland 12 November 2015 - Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 - Introduced 10 November 2015 - Tobacco and Other Smoking Products (Smoke-free Places) Amendment Bill 2015 - Introduced Victoria 10 November 2015 - Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment Bill 2015 - Introduced Western Australia 10 November 2015 - Public Health (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2014 - Legislative Assembly Consideration in Detail 2 November 2015 - Liquor Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 - Assented DLA Piper 5 REPORTS Australia. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) 9 November 2015 - ACCC will review Sonic Healthcare’s proposed acquisition of Adelaide Pathology Partners - The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will conduct a public merger review of the proposed acquisition of Adelaide Pathology Partners (APP) by Sonic Healthcare Limited and its subsidiary, Clinpath Laboratories Pty Ltd, (together, Sonic). Australia. Department of Health Media releases 13 November 2015 - 20,000+ Australians voice their views on private health - More than 20,000 Australians have voiced their views on how to make private health insurance better value for consumers just five days after it was launched. 13 November 2015 - Australia delivers new national diabetes strategy on World Day The Australian Government has released a new national strategy to tackle diabetes, which is emerging as a major chronic illness for patients – and threat to the health of the economy – in Australia. 12 November 2015 - Ebola Screening Measures Downgraded - The Australian Government will begin downscaling domestic border screening measures for Ebola at airports and seaports to reflect the decreased risk to Australia. 9 November 2015 - $630 million for over 800 innovative research projects The Australian Government will invest more than $600 million to support Australia’s world-leading researchers to find the next prevention of disease or cure as it continues to drive innovation in Australia. 8 November 2015 - Half-a-million Australians downgrade private health cover - Australians dumped or downgraded half-a-million "all-inclusive" private health insurance policies last year as record numbers flocked to cheaper cover with exclusions and excesses, official figures show. 8 November 2015 - Healthy Food Partnership to tackle obesity and encourage healthy eating - Rural Health Minister Fiona Nash has announced a new partnership of preventative health groups, food industry bodies and government to cooperatively tackle obesity and encourage healthy eating. Private Health insurance Circulars 10th November- PHI 75/15 Amendments To August 2015 Prostheses List Consultations 2006 Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand - A Review of Nutrient Reference Values for Fluoride, Iodine and Sodium - Online Consultation - The Department of Health in collaboration with the New Zealand Ministry of Health are undertaking a review of three nutrient reference values (fluoride, iodine and sodium) from the 2006 Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand. The consultation closes on the 11 December 2015. Australia. Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the boards (AHPRA) 13 November 2015 - Call for applications for appointment to the AHPRA Community Reference Group - Applications are now sought to fill vacancies on the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) Community Reference Group. 13 November 2015 - Call for expressions of interest – Tasmanian Board of the Medical Board of Australia. 12 November 2015 - Tribunal cancels pharmacist’s registration, finds professional misconduct - The State Administrative Tribunal of Western Australia has reprimanded pharmacist Mr David Brewster, cancelled his registration and disqualified him from reapplying for registration for one year. 12 November 2015 - Communiqué from the Board - The Chiropractic Board of Australia releases its October communiqué. DLA Piper 6 12 November 2015 - Newsletter from the Board - The Podiatry Board of Australia releases its latest newsletter. 11 November 2015 - Call for applications - Appointment to the Queensland Board of the Medical Board of Australia. 11 November 2015 - Call for applications - Appointment to the Queensland Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. 10 November 2015 - Communiqué from the Board - The Psychology Board of Australia has released the October 2015 meeting communiqué. 9 November 2015 - Revised supervision guidelines for International Medical Graduates - New International Medical Graduate (IMG) supervision requirements will come into effect in January 2016. 9 November 2015 - Communiqué from the Board - The Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia releases its latest communiqué. 06 November 2015 - Call for applications - Call for applications for appointment to the list of approved persons for appointment to panels for the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, and the National Registration and Notifications Committee. Australia. National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA) 9 November 2015 - Putting the eHealth record system into business - Putting the eHealth record system into business is a useful resource for Responsible Officers (ROs) and Organisation Maintenance Officers (OMOs) and their responsibilities in managing their organisations for the Healthcare Identifiers (HI) Service, NASH PKI Certificate for Organisations and the eHealth record system. 9 November 2015 - NEHTA's Annual Report 2014-15 is now available and can be downloaded from NEHTA ANNUAL REPORT 14-15 PDF (2.76 MB). Australia. National Blood Authority 11 November 2015 - Public consultation on the Guidelines for the management of haemophilia in Australia now open - The Australian Haemophilia Centre Directors’ Organisation (AHCDO) in collaboration with the National Blood Authority (NBA) has developed a guideline for the management of patients with haemophilia. Australia. National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) 6 November 2015 - $630 million for almost 900 innovative research projects - The Turnbull Government will invest more than $600 million to support Australia’s world-leading researchers to find the next prevention of disease or cure as it continues to drive innovation in Australia, Minister for Health Sussan Ley announced today. Ms Ley said over 2,000 researchers would share in the $630 million for projects including: obesity prevention; cancer genomics and hereditary diseases; a new medication to help treat severe ice addiction; new treatment for drug-resistant depression; different treatments for PTSD and the impact shift working has on pregnancy outcomes. 6 November 2015 - New China partnership to support diabetes research - In the first collaboration between Australia’s and China’s peak health and medical research agencies, more than $4 million has been awarded to find new ways to prevent, predict and treat type 2 diabetes. A joint call by Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) was announced in January this year, and the recipients were announced today by Australia’s Minister for Health, Sussan Ley 13 November 2015 - NHMRC Research Tracker DLA Piper 7 Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW) 11 November 2015 - Radiotherapy in Australia: report on a pilot data collection 2013–14 11 November 2015 - Media release: Patients requiring urgent radiotherapy usually treated within a day, others wait less than two weeks 10 November 2015 - Hearing health outreach services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in the Northern Territory: 2012–13 to 2014–15 Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care 9 November 2015 - On the Radar - Issue 248 (PDF 424KB) (Word 355KB) 30 October 2015 - Vital Signs 2015: The state of safety and quality in Australian Health Care Australian National Health Performance Authority (NHPA) Performance and Accountability Framework indicator review - The National Health Performance Authority is reviewing the Performance and Accountability Framework indicators and would like to hear from you. Submissions close 11 December 2015. Australia. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) 13 November 2015 - Drug Utilisation Sub Committee (DUSC) Outcome Statement - The Outcome Statement for the October 2015 Drug Utilisation Sub Committee (DUSC) Meeting is now available. Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Health Directorate 10 November 2015 - Services plan the next step toward integrated lymphoedema support - The ACT Lymphoedema Services Plan 2015-2018 provides for more than $1.85 million in additional funding towards lymphoedema services in the next three years. 11 November 2015 - ACT achieves nation-leading outcomes in radiotherapy services - The latest report card on the provision and timeliness of radiotherapy services shows the ACT leading the nation in several areas. New South Wales (NSW). Ministry of Health Media Releases 10 November 2015 - IPTAAS funding boost for stays in Not-for-profit accommodation - The NSW Government will significantly boost funding for more patients who need to travel long distances to access specialist medical treatment. Policy Directives & Guidelines Information Bulletins 9 November 2015 - Christmas Closedown 2015/2016 IB2015_061 New South Wales (NSW). Health Care Complaints Commission 12 November 2015 - Updated media release - Dr Swapan Chowdhury - Stage 2 – Registration cancelled - The Health Care Complaints Commission prosecuted Dr Swapan Chowdhury, a general practitioner, before the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The complaint alleged unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct concerning Dr Chowdhury not complying with conditions imposed on his practice by the Medical Tribunal (as it was then known) in 2010. The complaint alleged that Dr Chowdhury did not undertake 10 observer sessions with an experienced general practitioner, and subsequently made false statements to the Medical Council about his alleged compliance with the conditions. 2 November 2015 - Mr Nicholas Orr - registration cancelled - prohibited from providing health services The Health Care Complaints Commission prosecuted Mr Nicholas Orr, a former pharmacist, before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). Mr Orr did not participate at the hearing. DLA Piper 8 The Commission alleged that in 2013 Mr Orr, while employed as a pharmacist in Charlestown, dishonestly misappropriated drugs including OxyContin and Endone from the pharmacy for his own use. The Commission alleged that Mr Orr also made false and incorrect entries in the pharmacy’s drug register many corresponding to the drugs he misappropriated. Finally, the Commission alleged that Mr Orr is impaired in that he suffers from polysubstance abuse and dependence, and mental health conditions. Northern Territory (NT). Department of Health 9 November 2015 - Remote morgues roll out across the Territory - 16 bush communities have now been earmarked for upgraded Morgue facilities. They are Ali Curung (Alekerange), Alpurrurulam, Alyangula, Borroloola, Elliott, Gunbalanya, Jabiru, Kalkarindji, Kintore, Lajamanu, Ngukurr, Numbulwar, Nyirrpi, Papunya, Wadeye and Yuendumu. This is the next step in progressing the Northern Territory and Australian government’s announcement earlier in the year to spend almost $5 million over three years building and upgrading morgues in remote communities. Queensland (QLD). Department of Health 12 November 2015 - Mandatory food labelling for healthier choices - The Palaszczuk Government is delivering on another election commitment by introducing new legislation today to ensure fast-food chains across Queensland display the kilojoule content of their food and drinks. 12 November 2015 - Premier congratulates Florey Medal winner - Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today congratulated The University of Queensland’s Professor Perry Bartlett on being awarded the prestigious CSL Florey Medal for his breakthrough discoveries in neuroscience, in particular, his work on dementia. 12 November 2015 - Townsville maternity team receives third accreditation - Townsville Hospital has received its third Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) accreditation thanks to its continued efforts in encouraging and supporting women with their breastfeeding journey. BFHI is a world-recognised initiative implemented by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF to create a healthcare environment that protects, promotes, supports and values breastfeeding. 11 November 2015 - "Think I can’t, think again!" for Spinal Cord Injuries Awareness Week - Queenslanders are being challenged to think about what it could mean to have a spinal cord injury this week during Spinal Cord Injuries Awareness Week, to promote inclusion and help prevention. 11 November 2015 - Recruitment underway for Queensland health boards - The Queensland Government is calling on people with a passion for their community’s healthcare to apply for positions on 15 of its 16 hospital and health boards. 11 November 2015 - Queensland to protect people catastrophically injured in traffic crashes - The Queensland Government is considering options to implement the National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS) to provide reasonable and necessary care and support for people catastrophically injured in road traffic crashes, irrespective of fault. 10 November 2015 - Drought stricken farmers to receive mental health support - Senior clinicians will be placed in nine rural health services throughout Queensland as the central part of the Palaszczuk Government’s efforts to support the mental health of farmers struggling with the drought. Queensland (QLD). Office of the Health Ombudsman 13 November 2015 - October performance data – Office of the Health Ombudsman - Figures released for October show the Office of the Health Ombudsman (OHO) has continued to receive consistently high numbers of complaints, with almost three-quarters of these coming from health consumers. South Australia (SA). Department for Health & Ageing 9 November 2015 - Shining the spotlight on food safety - As Salmonella cases continue to increase across the state, SA Health is reminding all South Australians to think about the way they handle, cook and store food this Food Safety Week (November 8 to 15). DLA Piper 9 Tasmania (TAS). Department of Health & Human Services 12 November 2015 - Grassroots Mental Health Support for Neighbourhood Houses - The Long Term Plan for Mental Health in Tasmania recognises that it is time for a new approach to deliver a seamless and integrated mental health system that provides end-to-end care, that offers support in the right place, at the right time, and with clear signposts about where and how to get help. Speaking at the launch of the Grassroots Mental Health Support Project, Minister for Health Michael Ferguson said the initiative would support Tasmania’s 34 neighbourhood houses to build a better and more effective response for people experiencing mental health issues. 10 November 2015 - Redesign, not Labor politics needed to fix Tasmania’s child protection system - Rebecca White is wrong – again. Her lack of understanding of the seriousness and complexity of child protection and her simplistic answers show once again she has failed to do her homework on this important issue. 9 November 2015 - Nearly $4 million in health capital works brought forward - The Hodgman Liberal Government is rebuilding the Tasmanian economy and fixing our broken health system. Since coming to office we have already seen 7,200 new jobs created and Tasmania’s unemployment rate is now level with the national average. In this year’s Budget we spent $230 million more on Health and Human Services than in the last Labor-Green budget and we made a record $100m investment in frontline services. The Budget included a $1.8 billion infrastructure package and today I can confirm $3.76 million, which was originally due to be spent next financial year, will now be brought forward and spent this year on refurbishments including at the Hobart Repatriation hospital, St Mary’s Health Centre, St Johns Park and Beaconsfield Hospital. Victoria (VIC). Department of Health Media Releases 12 November 2015 - Ice education program rolls out for Victorian families - Victorian families affected by ice can now access a new, specialised education program as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s $45.5 million Ice Action Plan. Breakthrough: ice education for families will help Victorians to recognise when a family member has a problem with ice, encourage the affected person to get treatment and support them through their recovery. Turning Point, Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC) and the Bouverie Centre developed the program and will deliver it to more than 1000 Victorians. 10 November 2015 - New deal to fight diseases and cancers - The leadership and excellence of Melbourne's medical research institutions has helped to secure major investment for world leading discovery into life-saving breakthroughs for rare diseases and cancers. The Australian Genomics Health Alliance, led by researchers from The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, has been awarded $25 million by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to promote the integration of genomic medicine in healthcare across Australia, and has leveraged this grant to more than $125 million through Victorian and interstate partnerships. The grant, the second largest in NHMRC history, will support the work of the Australian Genomics Health Alliance, a national network of 47 partner organisations, led by Professors Kathryn North and Andrew Sinclair of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. Events 13 November 2015 - Quality Improvement: Measurable and Immeasurable, challenges for the Generalist seminar - This seminar is designed to address the challenges involved in evaluating and improving the quality of care that we provide for complex, often elderly, medical patients. 16 November 2015 - 18 November 2015 - Improving Healthcare International Convention - Join Australia’s largest international quality improvement in healthcare Convention, hosted by the Improvement Foundation. 19 November 2015 - Optimising exercise programs for older people to improve balance and prevent falls - Practical tools and information on how to engage and sustain older people's participation in falls prevention exercise programs DLA Piper 10 19 November 2015 - 20 November 2015 - SMART Recovery Training Course - Melb, 19-20 Nov - Learn the SMART Recovery behavioural change and addiction treatment program and how to facilitate a group meeting (Two-day course). 27 November 2015 - 28 November 2015 - Where the Mind meets the Mouth: Oral health conference - In innovative oral health conference covering a wide range of subjects including mindfulness, mental health, family violence, drug and alcohol, GBLITQ health, innovative and integrated oral health programs and clinical updates. Western Australia (WA). Department of Health Media Releases 12 November 2015 - Stay cool when enjoying the sun this weekend - With a number of events planned in Perth over this weekend, WA Health is reminding Western Australians to take care in the sun. 10 November 2015 - Amoebic meningitis warning - As the weather warms up all Western Australians are encouraged to take simple precautions to avoid the potentially fatal disease amoebic meningitis from waterborne Naegleria fowleri. 10 November 2015 - Was it the last thing you ate that made you sick? – busting the food safety myths - Consumers in Western Australia are urged not to become one of the estimated 4.1 million people who get food poisoning in Australia each year. 9 November 2015 - New breastscreen clinic in Wanneroo - The new BreastScreen WA (BSWA) clinic at the Wanneroo ECU Health Centre is now open. 9 November 2015 - Minister for Health: Review into maternity services complete - Health Minister Kim Hames today released the Report on Review of Maternity Services in metropolitan non-tertiary public hospitals. 7 November 2015 - Minister for Health: Paramedics a step closer - Health Minister Kim Hames today welcomed a resolution by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Health Council to move towards a national registration of paramedics under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme. Operational Directives 12 November 2015 - OD 0631/15 - Local and District Emergency Management Committee Representation - This policy outlines the requirements of hospitals and health services to provide representation to local and/or district emergency management committees. 12 November 2015 - IC 0234/15 - Annual Leave Travel Concession: Registered Nurses, Midwives and Enrolled Mental Health Nurses – Australian Nursing Federation – WA Health Industrial Agreement 2013 - Advice of updated annual leave travel concession rates for Registered Nurses, Midwives and Enrolled Mental Health Nurses – Australian Nursing Federation – WA Health Industrial Agreement 2013 12 November 2015 - IC 0233/15 - Annual Leave Travel Concession: WA Health - Health Services Union – PACTS – Industrial Agreement 2014 - Advice of updated Annual Leave Travel Concession rates for WA Health – Health Services Union – PACTS – Industrial Agreement 2014. Reports 10 November 2015 - WA Health Performance Reports New Zealand (NZ). Ministry of Health 13 November 2015 - Mortality and Demographic Data 2012 - This annual statistical publication collates and analyses information on the underlying causes of all deaths registered in New Zealand. 10 November 2015 - Extra help with daily activities in advanced age: Findings from LiLACS NZ - This short report presents findings from the Life and Living in Advanced Age Cohort Study (LiLACS NZ) about extra help received with daily activities by Māori (aged 80-90 years) and non-Māori (aged 85 years). United Kingdom (UK). Department of Health 12 November 2015 - NHS Bursary Scheme rules 2015 - Guidance DLA Piper 11 12 November 2015 - Services for children aged 0 to 5: transfer to local authorities - Guidance 10 November 2015 - Widening the availability of Naloxone - Guidance 10 November 2015 - Strengthening rights and choices for people to live in the community - Consultation outcome 10 November 2015 - Pharmaceutical buying groups in the NHS - Guidance 9 November 2015 - NHSPRB remit letter: 2016 to 2017 pay round - Correspondence 9 November 2015 - DDRB remit letter: 2016 to 2017 pay round - Correspondence 9 November 2015 - Giving adults voice, choice and control in social care - Guidance United States of America (USA). Department of Health & Human Services 12 November 2015 - HHS to procure two inhalational anthrax treatments for national supply - To better protect public health in an anthrax attack, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) will add two types of anthrax antitoxin drugs for the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) as options to treat inhalational anthrax. Australian Medical Association (AuMA) 12 November 2015 - Walk more, sit less - A simple prescription for good health - The AuMA encouraged individuals and workplaces to participate in Walk to Work Day. 11 November 2015 - AuMA welcomes majority of medical intern review recommendations - The AuMA has cautiously welcomed many of the recommendations from the Medical Intern Review, which was conducted by the COAG Health Council. British Medical Association (BMA) 12 November 2015 - Juniors' contract: industrial action dates set - Junior doctors in England will take industrial action on three dates in December - subject to the outcome of the ballot, which closes on 18 November. 11 November 2015 - Bid to secure slavery-free supplies - New anti-slavery rules should be used as a lever to ensure NHS supply contracts protect human rights. 11 November 2015 - GP practices need "cost-effective" model - A "cost-effective" model is needed to protect Welsh general practice, the BMA has said, as it published a map of closed and at-risk practices. 9 November 2015 - Praise for doctors' bravery during Ebola crisis - Doctors, health officials and volunteers have been praised for their bravery and dedication in halting the 18-month Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone. ABOUT US Mark Williams Mark is a partner in the Litigation and Regulatory team at DLA Piper. Mark's focus is on public liability and professional indemnity insurance and associated litigation. He has particular experience with medical negligence claims and the complex insurance and indemnity arrangements prevalent in the resources, mining, building and construction industries. Mark also acts for the regulators of the medical and other health professions. 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