Current News

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New Protections for the Title of ‘Surgeon’ under the National Law

The title of ‘surgeon’ has been made a protected title under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to restrict the use of the title to certain specialist surgeons only.

Health Legal Report November 2023

In this issue of the Health Legal Report we discuss Reforms to the ‘confidential communications’ (sexual assault counselling and medical records) privilege; Retail Leases Act – Notices on Renewal; ‘Mental health and wellbeing service providers’ now regulated under the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 (Vic) and New Construction Contracts for the Victorian Public Sector.

Happy 20th Anniversary Health Legal!

Health Legal celebrates 20 years this month!

New Confidentiality Requirements for Hospitals and Health Boards in Queensland

The new Hospital and Health Boards Regulation 2023 (Qld) commenced to remake the existing regulations, with significant changes made to the agreements under which disclosure of confidential information is permitted.

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New Duty of Candour Reporting Requirements for Private Hospitals in Victoria

Victorian Parliament has introduced new reporting obligations for private hospitals and day procedure centres in relation to compliance with the duty of candour.

New Staffing Requirements for Residential Aged Care

Federal parliament has introduced new staffing requirements for approved providers of residential care so that a registered nurse must be on duty 24 hours, 7 days a week.

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New Laws for Mental Health Services in Queensland

The Health and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2022 (Qld) recently passed to create new obligations for mental health services regarding the transfers of patients, electroconvulsive therapy and unauthorised disclosure of personal information.

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New Emergency Prescribing Laws in Victoria

The Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Image-Based Prescribing) Regulations 2023 (Vic) commenced to allow the transmission of digital images of prescriptions for Schedule 4, 8 and 9 poisons to a pharmacist in emergencies.

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New Notification Laws for Pathology Services in Victoria

The Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment Regulations 2023 (Vic) recently passed Victorian parliament to introduce new information that is required to be provided by pathology services for certain notifiable conditions.

Health Legal Report June 2023

In this issue of the Health Legal Report we discuss Secure Jobs, Better Pay: New restrictions on the use of fixed term contracts, Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Surgeons) Amendment Bill 2023 (Qld) and Jamsek v ZG Operations Australia Pty Ltd (No 3) [2023] FCAFC 48.