New issue of Sparkebeat launched!
02-April-2025| 
Merryn has worked for many years across brand, marketing and communications. She spent 18 years based in London working for various legal and accounting firms, before returning to Australia in 2008 to continue her career in professional services.
Welcome to the thirteenth issue of the Health Update—Sparkebeat, where Sparke Helmore's market-leading national Health team brings you the latest news and knowledge across Australia and abroad.
In this issue we:
- consider the ethical dilemmas relating to a court's approach to authorising medical treatments against the wishes and consent of a child
- provide an update on cosmetic injectables and the recently issued factsheet from Queensland Health
- hear from His Majesty's Coroner, Nadia Persaud, in conversation with Sparke Helmore Partner Marie-Clare Elder
- review the findings of Australia's COVID-19 response inquiry
- discuss preserving patient privacy, based on a recent case involving WhatsApp
- explore the importance of education and consent in light of publication of the Report on the Inquiry into Birth Trauma from the Select Committee on Birth Trauma
- review the findings from the inquest into domestic violence in the Northern Territory
- consider how the genetic discrimination in life insurance ban remains uncertain as the Federal election approaches
- discuss the outcome of the Bopping v Monash IVG Pty Ltd & Ors case, and
- consider disciplinary action against physicians and the fine line between balancing the hippocratic oath and the climate crisis.
We hope you find this issue informative and useful. If there are any topics you would like us to cover in the future, please contact a member of our national Health team.
