The NSW Court of Appeal (“NSWCA”) recently overturned a decision of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (“the Tribunal”) in relation to two complaints concerning Dr Roger Chatoor (a cardiologist). Dr Chatoor appealed the Tribunal’s findings of unsatisfactory professional conduct on the primary basis that it had failed to correctly apply the relevant statutory test […]
Insights Categories: Health
Jul 20, 2020
INSIGHT: What do I do if there is an accidental breach of my patient’s privacy? Advice for health practitioners and organisations
It is trite advice to Australian health practitioners to say that they must exercise caution when dealing with their patients’ sensitive health information. However, even the most cautious practitioner or organisation can fall victim to an inadvertent breach of patient privacy. Accidents happen, and Meridian Lawyers frequently receives requests for assistance from practitioners or organisations […]
Jun 18, 2020
INSIGHT: Taking action against health practitioners in the “public interest” – two years on, how is the new immediate action power being applied in practice?
One of the most stressful circumstances a registered health practitioner can encounter, is when they receive a notice from their National Board stating that it intends to take immediate action against them under section 156 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (National Law). The proposed immediate action can be very serious, ranging from a […]
Jun 5, 2020
INSIGHT: Private Health Insurer audits – a reminder to exercise caution and to ask for help
The world of private health insurance is becoming increasingly competitive. As the marketplace burgeons with new providers, so too does the number of private health insurance audit requests issued to the health practitioners who service their members. Meridian Lawyers regularly assists practitioners to respond to requests for information from private health insurers (PHIs), which has […]
May 28, 2020
INSIGHT: Coroner’s findings emphasise the potential risks of relying on telehealth without in-patient review
Recently we published an article outlining some of the risks and limitations for medical practitioners using telehealth to provide care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, we discussed the need for practitioners to consider and assess whether a consultation is safe and clinically appropriate to be conducted via telehealth, or whether an in-person […]
May 15, 2020
INSIGHT: A warning to health practitioners: is your professional indemnity insurance in place?
The Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has sent a loud message to all health practitioners to actively check that their professional indemnity insurance (PII) arrangements are in order by suspending a psychologist who failed to do so[1]. The practitioner in question had delegated the task of paying all insurance renewals to a family member, […]
May 4, 2020
INSIGHT: Western Australia: What are the Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Registered Health Practitioners?
In early 2020, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) released revised guidelines for mandatory notifications made to AHPRA by treating practitioners. These guidelines were issued in anticipation of amendments to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as in force in participating states and territories. The amendments came into effect in March 2020. The purpose […]
Apr 30, 2020
INSIGHT: Using the new MBS telehealth item numbers to care for patients from home? Here are some of the risks and limitations for medical practitioners
As part of the national health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Government has rolled out new temporary Medicare Benefit Scheme (MBS) ‘telehealth’ items. The purpose of these item numbers is to enable patients to receive essential health care during the pandemic whilst reducing the community transmission of COVID-19. At this stage, the item […]
Apr 16, 2020
INSIGHT: A reminder on section 130 of the National Law: notify the National Boards of ‘certain events’, or face a possible finding of unprofessional conduct
Most registered health practitioners are aware of the obligation to notify the National Board of certain events should they occur. These requirements are set out in section 130 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009 (the “National Law”). However, we have recently seen an ‘uptick’ in the number of disciplinary decisions which have […]
Apr 15, 2020
INSIGHT: Recent Applications in personal injuries claims impacted by COVID-19
Evidence and Transfer – A summary of recent Decisions of the Supreme Court in Central Queensland Key issues: Plaintiff will undergo medico-legal examination by video conference due to COVID-19 travel restrictions Is the Defendant’s request for medico-legal examination unreasonable or unnecessarily repetitious? Plaintiff’s Application for broad orders to inspect unidentified loaders dismissed Considerations of the […]
Apr 9, 2020
INSIGHT: WA hospital negligent for not recognising sepsis in infant burns patient resulting in irreversible brain damage
Abstract Western Australian hospital unsuccessful in appealing a finding of negligence based on an alleged failure to suspect, recognise and treat an infant patient for sepsis subsequent to a burn injury, leading to cardiac arrest, multi-organ failure, brain damage and cerebral palsy.[1] Damages yet to be agreed or assessed. District Court proceedings[2] Sunday Mabior […]