Introduction to Health Law

Contributed by Robin Gibson and current at 16 December 2021.

Health law involves a broad range of issues. Regulation of health practitioners, public health issues, patient rights, monitoring and inspection of health care facilities, and the confidentiality of the relationship between patients and their health advisors, are all health law matters. Health practitioners must obtain consent of the patient before any medical treatment is started so this section explains matters that the health practitioner must tell the patient before the patient gives proper consent. This section will also describe some more complex issues such as abortion and surrogacy, palliative and end of life issues and matters which arise when a medical error is alleged.