Hope Alexander MPH

Posts Tagged ‘law’

Hope attended the inaugural annual Conference of the Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law [AABHL] in Adelaide in July 2010 and has become a member. The AABHL will replace the Australasian Bioethics Association and Australasian and New Zealand Institute of Health Law and Ethics which have traditionally held joint meetings.

Several of the delegates had studied for a degree in philosophy and then undertaken a law degree. There was a mix of attendees: philosophers, health law people, bioethicists, public health people and GPs, nurses and allied health practitioners.

There were two smaller groups, those advocating for euthanasia, and some like myself, opting for the Advance Health Directive such as the one passed into law in Western Australia in February 2010.

Cancer in the News

Tobacco: Flouters of smoke ban ‘will be pursued’

The Health Department says people who ignore WA’s new smoking bans on patrolled beaches and in cars with children will be pursued, despite previous claims the laws could be hard to enforce.

Director-general of Health, Kim Snowball, said while some people might initially be given warnings rather than $1000 fines, there would be no period of grace for the laws, which start on September 22.

The department will launch an advertising campaign today to warn people they risk prosecution if the smoke in banned areas. These include between flags at beaches, in cars carrying children under the age of 17, within 10 metres of playground equipment and in some outdoor eating areas. The display of tobacco products in shops will also be banned.

West Australian 8/9/2010 p.10.

Sophie West | Website and Publications Coordinator

Cancer Council Australia

Hope has been invited to participate in the inaugural annual Conference of the Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law [AABHL] in July 2010. The AABHL will replace the Australasian Bioethics Association and Australasian and New Zealand Institute of Health Law and Ethics which have traditionally held joint meetings.

Hope’s abstract submission will discuss “Bioethics and health law – a consumer perspective”.

The Conference will be held at the University of Adelaide North Terrace campus, South Australia, commencing Thursday evening and concluding Sunday.

Choice… do we have any?

Who chooses what is ethical? Who should choose? What shapes choice?

Researchers, practitioners, politicians, lawyers and commercial interests have an impact on matters that the community might consider to be their choice. How do we ensure the public is informed about and engaged with the work of bioethics? The 2010 AABHL Conference will explore questions of choice across many settings from:

· The theoretical to the practical

· Research to application

· Law to policy and practice

The Conference will bring together representatives from around Australia, the Pacific and Asia for a series of plenary lectures and contributed papers that will ensure a vibrant and exciting program.

Western Australians will be able to make important decisions regarding their future medical treatment and lifestyle choices, under new legislation which takes effect today.

Ministerial Media Statement from Kim Hames, Deputy Premier; Health; Indigenous Affairs can be viewed here:

http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Results.aspx?ItemId=133128

Government of Western Australia Department of Health Advance Health Directives information and forms can be viewed here:

http://www.health.wa.gov.au/advancehealthdirective/home/