Safety of Anaesthesia in Australia - Australian and New Zealand ...

State, Territory And National Information continued
Current Developments (2008/2009)
The major current issues for VCCAMM are:
• Legislation involving the Review of the Health Act 1958 has
been passed during 2008. This will alter the provisions for the
Council in that confidentiality will be maintained, but provision
for exceptional disclosure deemed by Council to be in the
public interest will be possible. There is also provision for
mandatory notification of anaesthesia-related mortality and
defined morbidity as well as provision for Council to request
information from a health service provider which is authorised
to provide such information.
• Review of the Coroner’s Act 1985 is also before Parliament
in 2008 with recommendations for improved definitions of
reportable deaths. The category of ‘deaths associated with
anaesthesia’ will no longer exist as a separate entity. Deaths
will be reportable in the setting of a ‘health related procedure’
that will include any medical, surgical or other procedure
including the administration of any anaesthetic, analgesic,
sedative or other drug. Council has strongly supported
such changes.
• In 2007/2008 the Department of Human Services undertook
an Evaluation of the Victorian Consultative Council on
Anaesthetic Mortality and Morbidity to review its performance
against its terms of reference. Recommendations have
been developed to enhance infrastructure support and
communication strategies.
• In 2008, Council has increased its membership with the
appointment of 4 additional specialist anaesthetists from
the hospital sector, with resultant improved geographical
representation and spread of sub speciality expertise.
Council regards all of these issues as supportive of its terms
of reference.
A/Prof Larry McNicol, FANZCA
Chair
Victorian Consultative Council on Anaesthetic Mortality and Morbidity
Western Australia
Overview
During the triennium the Anaesthetic Mortality Committee (AMC)
of Western Australia continued its normal activity under the
provisions of the West Australian Health Act Amendment
Act, 1978.
In June 2005, the Committee received notification of a
discussion paper on the development of a New Public Health
Act by the Department of Health, and was invited to comment.
The Committee’s response included a submission that any
changes to the Health Act should preserve mandatory reporting,
confidentiality, the wide representation, and the other strengths
of the current Health Act in relation to the West Australian
Anaesthetic Mortality Committee and the reporting provisions
in Western Australia.
Composition (2003-2005)
The five permanent members of the Committee are:
• A person nominated by the State Branch of the Australian and
New Zealand College of Anaesthetists who is also Chairman
of the Committee.
• A medical practitioner nominated by the Executive Director
of Public Health.
• A specialist anaesthetist nominated by the Senate of the
University of Western Australia.
• A specialist anaesthetist nominated by the Australian Society
of Anaesthetists.
• A specialist anaesthetist nominated by the Australian
Medical Association.
The seven Provisional members are:
• A specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist nominated by the
State Branch of the Australian Council of the Royal Australian
and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
• Two general practitioners with a special interest in anaesthesia,
nominated by the State Branch of the Royal Australian College
of General Practitioners.
• A specialist surgeon nominated by the State Branch
of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
• A registered midwife nominated by the State Branch
of the Royal Australian Nursing Federation.
• A dental practitioner nominated by the State Branch
of the Australian Dental Association.
• The Professor of Clinical Pharmacology of the University
of Western Australia.
A review of anaesthesia-related mortality reporting in Australia and New Zealand 2003-2005 15