| 19 May 2005
Litigation is not killing medical practice, a team of Monash University Law alumni has successfully argued.
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| From left: Dr Syd Allen, Ms Beth Wilson, Mr Dev Kevat, Dr Sally Cockburn, Ms Kim Little, Mr David Galbally QC and Ms Kylie Lane. |
The negative team won the 2005 Great Law Week Debate at the National Gallery of Victoria last night.
It comprised one of Melbourne's most respected QCs Mr David Galbally, former world and Australasian debating champion Ms Kim Little from law firm Clayton Utz and recent law/ economics graduate Ms Kylie Lane, who was named world's best speaker at the 2005 University Debating Championships.
Victoria's Health Services Commissioner Ms Beth Wilson, chief medical officer of Southern Health Dr Syd Allen and current Monash medicine/law student Mr Dev Kevat argued for the affirmative but couldn't convince the six-member judging panel.
Mr Galbally argued doctors should be accountable for their actions and that litigation had forced doctors to communicate with their patients. He said the deterrent of litigation meant doctors now advised patients of risks involved with surgery and explained medical procedures.
However Dr Allen argued litigation had scared doctors into practising medicine in a way that would keep them out of court. He quoted the increasing numbers of caesarean sections as an example and obstetrics as an example of medical practice that had been wrecked by litigation.
The panel of Monash Law Dean Professor Arie Freiberg, general practitioner Professor John Murtagh AM, Law Institute of Victoria President Victoria Strong, STOPline Chairman Bob Falconer, Melbourne City Council Councillor Fiona Sneddon and Monash Association of Debaters President Jake Clifton supported the negative argument.
The guest moderator was Dr Sally Cockburn, also known as radio and television personality Dr Feelgood.
For further information and photographs contact Ms Natasha Whalley in Media Communications on +61 3 9905 9201 or 0437 458 457.
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