News and articles

The prescribing debate must start with patient safety

Leasing vs buying your practice rooms

Many doctors assume that buying commercial premises requires deep pockets and creates cash flow pressure. The reality, in my experience working with medical professionals, is frequently the opposite.

Common consent: a guide for doctors in training

If you’re a doctor in training, you may be asked to obtain consent for a procedure or perform one under supervision. This guide answers common questions about assessing capacity, discussing risks and alternatives, handling questions you cannot answer, explaining who will perform the procedure and documenting the patient’s decision.

Patient’s ‘dishonest’ $800,000 negligence claim dismissed by the court

A bariatric surgeon’s follow-up care was vindicated when a patient’s $800,000 medical negligence claim was dismissed by the court. The doctor’s treatment was described as ‘appropriate, comprehensive and showed a great deal of care’, and the court concluded the patient was a ‘dishonest witness’ whose evidence was shown to be ‘plainly untrue’.

Common consent questions: a guide for consultants

As a consultant, you may ask another clinician to conduct the consent discussion or supervise a doctor who will perform the procedure. This guide answers common questions about delegation, checking consent before treatment, explaining who will perform the procedure and documenting the patient’s decision.

Property Hunter's Guide

Finding and securing your dream home or an investment property requires more than luck – it requires strategy, preparation, and timing. This guide will help you navigate the residential property market with confidence.

9 things to get your practice's IT ready for growth

As your practice grows, your IT has to keep up. Here are 9 practical ways to get your practice's IT ready to scale, from cloud to cybersecurity.

How the Avant Board delivers for members

Surgeon suspended over surgical errors, missed diagnoses and inadequate patient care

A general surgeon’s registration was suspended for 6 months after multiple adverse events. The tribunal was particularly concerned about the doctor’s failure to take appropriate steps to reduce risk, to provide appropriate follow-up care, or to fulfil their open disclosure obligations.

Landmark case confirms parental consent is not required for treatment of mature minors

Judge rules 15-year-old lacks sufficient maturity to decide on life-saving treatment

In a recent case considering children’s capacity to consent, the court found a 15-year-old lacked sufficient maturity to refuse life-saving treatment for leukaemia. Although she was intellectually capable of understanding the treatment, she was unable to overcome anger and frustration with her treating team to demonstrate she had capacity to weigh up the medical advice objectively.

Life insurance explained: protecting your income, family and future

Life insurance isn't just about death cover. Here's why it matters to you and your family.

Real travel cover, real outcomes

See how Avant Travel Cover handled real claims, from stolen luggage to medical emergencies overseas. Unlimited trips, no age limit, 24/7 help.

Medical practice checklist: How to keep things running smoothly over the festive shutdown

Discover an essential medical practice checklist with practical tips to help your practice run smoothly over the festive break.

Systems that click: Aligning operations & IT for practice growth

As your practice grows, the systems and processes that once worked can quickly become barriers to efficiency.

Single vision

Dr Nerida McDonald’s unique vision for her practice involved making patient care and staff satisfaction her top priorities. She just needed enough physical space to achieve it.

Court rules on 17-year-old’s capacity to refuse lifesaving treatment

Although the court found a 17-year-old had capacity to make healthcare decisions, it concluded it was in the child’s best interest to order life-saving medical treatment even though the child refused it.

Avant Finance joins the AFIA Finance Industry Code of Practice

Consent in everyday practice: reflections from a GP

Consent is embedded in everyday clinical care, often in conversations that become second nature. Dr Sally Parsons draws on three consultations and Avant’s claims insights to show why consent must be specific, voluntary, ongoing and clearly documented.

Failure to advise patient of treatment options results in $215,000 damages award

Informed consent requires doctors to give a patient all the information they may need to make an informed decision about their healthcare. In this case the court found that both surgical and conservative options should have been discussed.