In the media
Booster shot for severely immunocompromised
Australians
From next week Australians who are severely
immunocompromised will be offered the option to receive a third
COVID-19 vaccine dose to boost their protection against COVID-19 to
the highest level (08 October 2021). More...
New project to combat concussion and brain injury in
sport
The Morrison Government will boost funding to improve
research and prevention of brain injuries and concussion for
Australians playing sport. The Australian Institute of Sport will
use an additional $340,000 in funding for the Concussion and Brain
Health Project, a comprehensive study that will draw on the
expertise of medical professionals and researchers (08 October
2021). More...
Vaccination status - when your medical information is
private and when it's not
Vaccinations and medical exemptions are recorded on the
Australian Immunisation Register operated by the federal
government. It's understandable to think our health information
should be secret - kept between us and our doctor. But the law -
principally the Australian Privacy Act and health records laws in
many states - allows it to be collected by other people if certain
conditions are met (05 October 2021). More...
Pharmaceutical industry backs workplace
vaccinations
Medicines Australia has released a position statement on
workplace vaccinations, with the biopharmaceutical industry
strongly recommending immunisations for the "health and safety
and protection of all employees (05 October 2021). More...
Practice and Regulation
Queensland
New health direction allows practitioner access to
restricted aged care facilities
A Queensland Health direction published 29 September 2021
will allow fully vaccinated lawyers to attend clients in restricted
aged care facilities for essential legal tasks. The new Residential Aged Care Direction
(No.8) includes "fully vaccinated legal
practitioners" among those people permitted to access an aged
care facility which is subject to COVID-19 restrictions.
AMA Qld: QScript
QScript is Queensland's read-only, real-time
prescription monitoring system that alerts and notifies health
practitioners to review a patient's monitored medicine
prescription history at the point of care and has now
commenced. Penalties for non-compliance in using QScript are
planned to start on 1 October, however AMA Queensland is advocating
for a 12-month grace period to allow practitioners time to adapt to
this new system. More...
This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.
