LAWS5013

Health Law

10 Units 5000 Level Course

Not available in 2014

Previously offered in 2007, 2005, 2004

LAWS courses are only available to students enrolled in Bachelor of Laws (LAWS) degree programs.

Introduces students to a range of laws governing health issues and policy issues as well as possible new laws which will need to be addressed as scientific knowledge advances. Topics to be considered in detail include consent to treatment, negligence, guardianship, mental health legislation, legal regulation of reproduction, legal regulation of medical research and euthanasia.

Objectives The objectives of this course are to promote and develop a critical understanding of:

1. The diverse body of law which regulates both the health industry and individual relationships between health professionals and their clients.
2. The reasons for the many gaps and uncertainties in the law which governs clinical practice.
3. The distinction between the law as written and the realities of everyday clinical practice.
4. The competing policy considerations which must be evaluated and balanced when seeking to reform contentious areas of health law.
Content The topics covered in this course are:

1. Consent to treatment
2. Negligent advice and treatment
3. Legal regulation of medically assisted death
4. Confidentiality, privacy and access to medical records
5. Legal regulation of abortion
6. Legal regulation of health services for children
7. Guardianship, mental health and other substantiated decision-making laws
8. Legal regulation of human gene technology
9. Legal responses to people with infectious diseases
10. Legal regulation of organ and tissue transplants
11. Legal regulation of reproduction
Replacing Course(s) NA
Transition NA
Industrial Experience 0
Assumed Knowledge LAWS1001A, LAWS1001B, LAWS1002A, LAWS1002B, LAWS2003A, LAWS2003B, LAWS3004A, LAWS3004B, LAWS3005.
Modes of Delivery Internal Mode
Teaching Methods Problem Based Learning
Lecture
Assessment Items
Essays / Written Assignments An assignment
Examination: Formal 3 hour open book examination
Contact Hours Lecture: for 3 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Compulsory Components
Requisite by Enrolment This course is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws and associated combined degree programs.