Health Law in Australia

The book "Health Law in Australia" by Ben White, Fiona McDonald, and Lindy Willmott is a comprehensive text that covers the diverse and complex field of health law in Australia. Here is a detailed overview of the book:

Key Themes

1. Comprehensive National Approach:

   • The book is the first to deal with health law on a comprehensive national basis, providing a structured and logical approach to understanding the breadth of health law across all Australian jurisdictions.

2. Health System Regulation:

   • It situates health law in its wider context, including chapters on medical ethics, human rights, and how the health system as a whole is regulated.

3. General Principles of Health Law:

   • The book explores general principles of health law, including negligence, children and consent to medical treatment, and privacy and confidentiality in healthcare.

4. Beginning-of-Life and End-of-Life Issues:

   • It considers beginning-of-life and end-of-life issues, which are critical in the field of health law.

5. Emerging Areas in Health Law:

   • The book concludes with chapters on emerging areas in health law, such as medical research, genetic technologies, and biotechnology.

Plot Summary

The book is structured to enhance the understanding of health law as a whole. It begins by situating health law in its broader context, covering topics like medical ethics and human rights. It then delves into the general principles of health law, including negligence, children's consent to medical treatment, and privacy and confidentiality in healthcare. The book also addresses beginning-of-life and end-of-life issues before concluding with chapters on emerging areas in health law, such as medical research and genetic technologies.

Critical Reception

While specific critical reviews are not provided in the sources, the book is widely recognized as Australia's leading text in health law. It is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers, scholars in law, health, and medicine, as well as health and legal practitioners, private health providers, and government departments and bodies in the health area.

Editions

The book has been published in multiple editions, with the latest edition being the fourth. The fourth edition is available for purchase and is considered a critical resource for understanding health law in Australia.

Publication Details

• Publication Date: The latest edition, the fourth edition, was published in 2023.
• Authors: Ben White, Fiona McDonald, and Lindy Willmott.
• Call Number: KN 185.5 K1 CORN (2023 edition).
• Publisher: Thomson Reuters (Fourth Edition).

In summary, "Health Law in Australia" by Ben White, Fiona McDonald, and Lindy Willmott is a seminal text that provides a comprehensive overview of health law in Australia, addressing both foundational principles and emerging issues in the field. Its structured approach and coverage of all major areas make it an essential resource for legal and health professionals, students, and scholars alike.