Health Care and the Law

The book "Health Care and the Law" by Janine McIlwraith and Bill Madden is a comprehensive legal resource focused on the intersection of healthcare and the law in Australia. Here is a detailed overview of the book:

Key Themes

1. Legal Processes in Healthcare:

   • The book provides a detailed examination of legal processes as they relate to healthcare professionals across all Australian jurisdictions.

2. Patient Treatment and Consent:

   • It covers the legal aspects of patient treatment, including consent, which is a critical theme in healthcare law.

3. Medical Liability:

   • The book delves into the legal liabilities of healthcare professionals, including negligence and malpractice.

4. Patient Information and Property:

   • It discusses the legal handling of patient information and property, including privacy principles and confidentiality.

5. Health Professionals:

   • The text explores the legal responsibilities and obligations of various healthcare professionals, such as doctors and nurses.

6. Public Health:

   • It covers the legal frameworks governing public health, including infectious disease control and vaccination policies.

7. Crime, Discrimination, and Rights:

   • The book addresses the intersection of healthcare with crime, discrimination, and human rights, including child abuse, domestic violence, and discrimination in healthcare settings.

Plot Summary

The book is structured into seven parts, each focusing on a different aspect of healthcare law:

1. The Law, Courts, and Legal Processes:

   • This section introduces the foundational legal concepts and processes relevant to healthcare.

2. Patients’ Treatment and Consent:

   • It delves into the legal aspects of patient treatment, including informed consent and refusal of treatment.

3. Medical Liability:

   • This part examines the legal liabilities of healthcare professionals, including negligence and malpractice.

4. Patient Information and Property:

   • It discusses the legal handling of patient information and property, including privacy principles and confidentiality.

5. The Health Professional:

   • This section explores the legal responsibilities and obligations of various healthcare professionals.

6. Public Health:

   • It covers the legal frameworks governing public health, including infectious disease control and vaccination policies.

7. Crime, Discrimination, and Rights:

   • The final part addresses the intersection of healthcare with crime, discrimination, and human rights.

Critical Reception

While specific critical reviews are not provided in the sources, the book is described as an essential resource for healthcare professionals, teachers, lecturers, students, practitioners, and health administrators due to its detailed tables of contents, summarized case law, procedural checklists, and guidelines. The sixth edition has been restructured to make it more accessible and updated to reflect the rapid pace of change in healthcare law.

Editions and Publication

• Sixth Edition: Published in 2014 by Lawbook Co., Pyrmont, NSW.
• Fifth Edition: Published in 2010 by Thomson Reuters (Professional).

The book is widely recognized as a comprehensive guide to healthcare law in Australia, making it a valuable resource for those involved in the healthcare sector.