checking-patients-records 1900 x 500

Health Bulletin 5 October 2021

The latest insights from our Health Law team: 

If you'd like to stay up to date with Russell Kennedy's insights, please sign up here

Launch of the Australian Eating Disorder Research and Translation Strategy 2021–2031

The Australian Eating Disorder Research and Translation Strategy 2021-2031 (Strategy) was launched on 21 September 2021 and will guide critical research and transform how the nearly one million Australians who suffer from bulimia, anorexia and other eating disorders are treated and cared for.

The Strategy, developed under a $4 million federal grant by the InsideOut Institute, identifies the top 10 priority areas in greatest need of additional research. Those priorities include prevention, risk and protective factors, early identification, equity of access, treatment outcomes, individualised medicine, family support, early intervention, positive and negative treatment impacts, stigma and health promotion.

In launching the Strategy the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said eating disorders were serious, complex and life-threatening mental illnesses and that the Strategy provided a clear national approach to ensuring best-practice prevention, early intervention, and treatment now and in the future. Assistant Minister Coleman said “The 2021-22 Budget also provided a further $26.9 million for eating disorder research and support, including $13 million to establish a National Eating Disorder Research Centre.”

To read the associated Media release by the Hon Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care, click here.

Impacts of dementia in Australia

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has published a new report about the impacts of dementia in Australia. Critically, it has found that dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia.

The report provides statistical and demographic information on those who live with dementia. AIHW estimates that of the number people in Australia living with dementia is approximately 386,200; this number is expected to reach 849,300 by 2058. Cultural backgrounds can affect how health services are accessed and used. Indigenous Australians are living with dementia at a rate that is approximately 3–5 times as high as the rate for Australians overall.

There is no known cure for dementia. Most people in the advanced stages of dementia rely on care and support provided by residential aged care services or unpaid care from family and friends. It is estimated that in 2021 up to 337,200 Australians provided constant unpaid care for a person with dementia.

To read the report, click here.

QCAT finds psychiatrist in breach of code of practice and code of ethics

A Queensland psychiatrist has been reprimanded, ordered to undertake a mentoring program and pay a $30,000 fine to the Health Ombudsman.

The disciplinary action follows a finding of professional misconduct by Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) on 19 August 2021.

The practitioner was found to have failed to maintain professional boundaries with his patient, including providing non-therapeutic care (such as assisting the patient to find rental accommodation). The practitioner also failed to avoid a conflict of interest by preparing wills, nominating him as a beneficiary and becoming an attorney for one of his patients, including for financial matters. In addition, QCAT found that he failed to appropriately end his treating relationship with the patient.

In its decision, QCAT noted the practitioner’s previous exemplary record, and considered that his misconduct was allowing his concern for the patient’s personal circumstances to override his professional obligations to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and avoid conflicts of interest. QCAT acknowledged the practitioner’s remorse and insight as to the extent of his failures, noting he has subsequently undertaken education as to the maintenance of professional boundaries.

You can access the judgement here.

Keeping the community safe with new COVID immunity test

A new finger prick test is being developed by leading experts from the Burnet Institute and Doherty Institute. It is being funded through a $500,000 grant as part of the Victorian Government’s $31 million investment into coronavirus research.

The test is intended to:

  • indicate levels of COVID-19 immunity present in individuals;
  • predict a person’s immunity to emerging variants; and
  • determine whether individuals require a booster shot.

According to Professor Dale Godfrey, Theme Leader, Immunology at the Doherty Institute “other rapid tests don’t measure the important ‘neutralising antibodies’ that block virus infection. This is the advantage of the COVID-19 Nab-Test and what makes it a valuable addition to our COVID-19 diagnostic toolkit.”

To read more, click here.

Following the three Vs for a safe return to school

The Victorian Government is providing 51,000 air purification devices to government and low-fee non-government schools to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19 in classrooms. This is part of the government’s plan to protect schools with the Three Vs: Ventilation, Vaccination and Vital COVIDSafe Steps.

The air purification devices will be used in higher-risk areas, including staff rooms, sick bays and music rooms. Schools will also be entitled to a grant of up to $25,000 to purchase shade sails, encouraging outdoor learning.

In addition, all staff in schools and early childhood services will be required to have a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 18 October 2021 or have a booking within one week, with full vaccination required by 29 November 2021 unless a medical exemption applies.

Vital COVIDSafe Steps remain in place, including mandatory masks for secondary students and adults, staggered pick-up and drop-offs, QR code check-ins and the postponement of higher-risk activities such as camps, excursions and assemblies.

For more information, click here.

Russell Kennedy Health Alert: Mandatory Vaccination Provisions for Healthcare Workers in Victoria

COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccinations Directions (No 4) introduces mandatory vaccination for healthcare workers in Victoria to limit the spread of COVID-19. Failure to comply with the directions may result in penalties.

Read the full Alert here.

How we can help

Learn more about Russell Kennedy's expertise in the Health sector here.

If you'd like to stay up to date with Russell Kennedy's Insights, please sign up here.

View related insights

Overseas trained doctors 1900 x 500

Medical Board of Australia issues proposed registration standard for specialist registration of overseas trained doctors

13 Jun 2024

Following discussion amongst COAG (Australian and State and Territory Governments) the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) has now issued proposed new registration standards for specialist overseas docto ...

View
Health Natural Justice Alert 360 x 240

Disciplinary Action by Committees in the Health Sector - The need for "Natural Justice"

11 Jun 2024

If someone had made allegations against you, how would you wish them to deal with you in any proposed disciplinary proceedings? Would you expect to be dealt with fairly?

View
AI and Health 360 x 240

Navigating AI's Role in Healthcare: Legal Implications

9 May 2024

Much has been written on the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into many aspects of our lives, our work and our leisure. Given that so much in medicine is based on the “precautionary ...

View