World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) shines a spotlight on increasing financial abuse. Local elder law expert calls on Governments to take faster action to prevent it A local…
Palliative Care Week: Local People Under-Utilising Essential Tools for End of Life Planning
A leading Hunter law firm says local people are under utilising such as advanced care directives and enduring power of attorney documents which means they and their families are not…
The Federal Government’s Failure to Address the Crisis in Aged Care
We have been advocating for a better level of care for all residents of aged care facilities by expressing our disappointment with the Federal Government’s latest aged care “reform” and budget…
New Aged Care Watchdog Again Fails to Deal with Key Issue of Inadequate Staffing Requirements
Newcastle-based lawyer and Australian expert in aged care and health law, Catherine Henry, has criticised the Federal Government’s latest aged care policy announcement. The government this week announced that from…
New Aged Care Policy Falls Woefully Short
The Federal Government’s latest aged care policy announcement falls significantly short of what’s required to address the crisis in aged care. From January 1, 2019 a new, “independent” Aged Care…
Budget Reaction: Failure To Tackle Key Issues For Aged Care Residents
BUDGET REACTION: FAILURE TO TACKLE KEY ISSUES FOR AGED CARE RESIDENTS – NO MANDATED STAFF RATIOS A leading Australian elder care lawyer from Hunter based firm, Catherine Henry Lawyers, says…
Catherine Henry recognised in Doyles Guide 2017 listing of recommended plaintiff medical negligence lawyers
Catherine Henry Lawyers is delighted and proud that the founder and owner of the firm, Catherine Henry, has been recognised in the Doyles Guide 2017 listing of leading law firms…
Injuries from Vaginal Birth – our Client’s Story
We acted for a 24-year-old woman from regional NSW who sustained very severe physical and psychological injuries during the traumatic birth of her second child. In fact, our client’s injuries…
Injury from Instrumental Birth (forceps) – Our Client’s Story
We acted for a 34-year-old woman who suffered significant birth trauma injuries during the delivery of her second baby. Our client had had a very difficult delivery with her first…
MEDIA RELEASE: Why rural and regional residents shouldn’t be afraid to “rock the boat” after a bad medical result.
Too many people living in regional New South Wales are reluctant to seek answers from their health professionals after a bad medical result for fear of “rocking the boat” in…
Regulation of cosmetic surgery gets more teeth
Our recent blog supported the introduction by the Medical Board of Australia of new guidelines specifically for those undertaking cosmetic surgery. Now NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner has taken steps…
Embryo donor loophole needs tighter regulation
Yesterday, the Sydney Morning Herald provided an update on the upsetting case of Natalie Parker which involves embryo donor regulation. The story first came to light in April 2016. In summary, having…
Review of the cosmetic surgery industry complete
We are encouraged by news that the Medical Board of Australia has completed its review of the cosmetic surgery industry and has today introduced what the ABC calls “tough new guidelines…
SummitCare alleged murder victim families call for stricter regulation
Families of the alleged victims of nurse Garry Steven Davis, 28, a nurse formerly employed at a Newcastle aged care facility operated by SummitCare, have called for stricter regulation of…
Consumer watchdog homes in on Australia’s booming IVF industry
I was encouraged to learn that Australian IVF clinics are currently being investigated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to ensure they are not misleading women about their…
Investigation into Stillbirths and Neonatal Deaths at Bacchus Marsh hospital
We've been following with dismay, the aftermath of the catastrophic events which took place at the Djerriwarrh Health Service in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. As you may remember, Professor Euan Wallace,…
Genetic Justice – Fragile X
Recently one of our senior medical lawyers appeared in the Supreme Court on an application in a Fragile X case- Eastbury v Genea Limited. Our client - Leighee Eastbury the mother…
How to survive a relationship crisis at Christmas
Christmas is supposed to be a time for family and friends, filled with giving, peace and goodwill, but it can also be the loneliest and most stressful time of the…
Age Discrimination – what is it?
Age discrimination - you've probably felt it before; when someone defines your abilities by your age, or assumes you can’t contribute because you’re too young or that you wouldn't understand…
Do you need help with the NDIS?
One of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s first tasks in office was to sign a funding agreement with NSW and Victorian Premiers to fully roll out the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS),…
Relocating with children post-separation
There are a whole host of reasons why a parent may want to relocate with children following a family breakdown: to be closer to family and friends, for a new…
International travel with children post-separation
Family breakdowns are a stressful business. You’re likely to feel physically and emotionally exhausted and in desperate need of a break. An overseas holiday for you and the kids could…
Family Law & Your Self Managed Superannuation Fund
Self managed super funds are a hot topic right now as Australia’s ageing population continues to grow. We see more emphasis being placed on self funded retirement. As a result of…
Superannuation & Family Law Settlements: FAQ’s
Why is superannuation included in property settlements? Superannuation is regarded as property under the Family Law Act 1975 and can be split by agreement of the parties or by Court…
A shift for shift workers: parenting arrangements post separation
Parenting arrangements for shift workers. Not your average 9-5? Making arrangements for children to spend time with each parent after separation can be difficult at the best of times. In…
Top tips for coping with family law negotiations
Your marriage or relationship is over. You never want to see your ex-partner again but there are matters to resolve. Arrangements to put in place. Settlements to reach. You know…
Accommodation options for people with disabilities require a re-think
I’ve had an overwhelming response to my editorial in The Newcastle Herald last Saturday, about how the NSW government is failing vulnerable people with severe disabilities in need of specialised…
No sex please! We’re gender non-specific!
Sex, sex, sex. Yes, it’s everywhere – even on our Birth Certificates. But this may soon change in light of a recent High Court case known as “Norrie’s case”1, named…
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way” – or is there? Inheritances and assisted suicides
How does the law regard inheritances and assisted suicides? For a long time, our laws have reflected a general belief that a person shouldn’t directly benefit under someone’s will if they’ve…
Thanks, but no thanks: The downside of recommending a doctor online
If you’ve found a good doctor, think twice before you reveal their skill on facebook. Under the latest guidelines from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) leaving a positive comment…
