Monash Memo - articles - 31 October 2001

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Malaysian nursing law conference applauded

Monash University Malaysia received praise from participants of its conference on law and nursing practice, held on campus from 12 to 13 September.

About 540 attendees enhanced their knowledge of the law during the conference, which was designed to assist health care professionals in all patient care settings so that they could consolidate their knowledge of legal issues arising from professional practice.

In a survey following the conference, 96 per cent of participants said they enjoyed the day.

Targeted at nurses, student nurses, doctors, legal practitioners and law students, the conference also provided participants with an international perspective of the law and its relevance to the Malaysian context.

Malaysia Health Ministry's parliamentary secretary S. Sothinathan, who officiated at the conference opening, said changes in the health care system meant nurses would have to act as advocates to patients.

"The law provides a structure for nursing through the development of professional standards," he said.

"Law in nursing practice is not only concerned with liability, it also supports and protects nursing values. Nurses should be empowered rather than frightened by knowledge of the law," he said.

The two-day conference sought to highlight the fact that nurses should be guided by their professional code of ethics when addressing complex issues in nursing practice that may lead to a legal or ethical dilemma.

"With increased independence, responsibility and accountability, nurses need to practise intelligently to avoid being victims of the law," Mr Sothinathan said.

The conference, titled 'An introduction to legal concepts for professional nurses in Malaysia', generated about 100 suggested topic areas for future discussion.

A total of 12 working papers were presented by health care professionals, including Monash University Malaysia's director of nursing programs Ms Melanie Birks.

A modified version of the conference was presented on 14 October in Kuching for the benefit of nurses in East Malaysia.