States take more steps on voluntary assisted dying laws There have been significant moves on voluntary assisted dying legislation around the country this month.
WA Health Minister backs urgent calls for telehealth item numbers As suspected coronavirus cases place more demand on GP workflow, the need to expand the MBS item numbers has been called a ‘no brainer’.
Novel coronavirus Experts Professor Paul Effler and Dr David Spiers discuss the novel coronavirus and the current situation in Australia. This episode explores the background of the coronavirus, and theories about how such a virus can start in the human population. It also covers: infectivity, transmissibility and severity what GPs can learn from the SARS and MERS virus, and how this information can help prevention in Australia, including what is being done to avoid a China-like outbreak vaccines what GPs should do if a patient calls with concerns they may be infected masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) what GPs can do to protect themselves and their practices. Information correct as at 4 February 2020.
WA looks set to legalise voluntary assisted dying With voting on the bill’s final amendments this week, bioethicist Courtney Hempton outlines the legislation and likely next steps.
Second WA politician questions GP involvement in assisted dying scheme The MP argued only psychiatrists and geriatricians can determine a patient’s decision-making capacity in relation to voluntary assisted dying.
Comment sought on WA suicide prevention plan The draft plan is described as ‘a blueprint for a government and whole-of-community approach to suicide prevention in Western Australia’.
New trial of GP-delivered urgent care set to launch in WA Western Australian patients thinking about going to emergency will next week have a new option – a GP.
Voluntary assisted dying: The current state of affairs A proposed bill has been backed by WA’s lower house, bringing it one step closer to legalisation. What about the rest of the country?
WA Parliament to vote on voluntary assisted dying The bill includes 102 safeguards and follows the largest community consultation ever undertaken by WA Health.
Further expansion of WA pharmacy vaccinations takes effect Pharmacists in Western Australia can now provide a wider range of vaccinations, but GPs are concerned this situation will compromise standard of care.