Lawyer Bill O'Shea, Health Professor Steve Ellen and Lindy Burns take an entertaining and informative look at the issues of the week from the perspective of a doctor and a lawyer.
Understanding neuropsychiatry
Writs and Cures special guest Professor Dennis Velakoulis talks neuropsychiatry. Plus, with it being Grand Final week in Melbourne the team take a look at the legalities around ticket resales.
9/25/2018 • 42 minutes, 27 seconds
Victorian review into assisted reproduction
Writs and Cures looks into the Victorian review of assisted reproductive treatment. Plus what are you really buying when you click buy or accept on online media sites?
9/18/2018 • 40 minutes, 26 seconds
Changing the language of cancer
Writs and cures looks at the language we use around cancer and special guest Carolyn Sparke QC explains some important changes when it comes to wills
8/21/2018 • 40 minutes, 59 seconds
Understanding physiotherapy
Writs and Cures explores the world of physiotherapy plus delves into the implications of some proposed new rental laws
8/14/2018 • 39 minutes, 17 seconds
Grief in a digital world
Writs and Cures delves into what it means to grieve in a digital world plus the team take a look at the My Health Record Debate
8/7/2018 • 42 minutes, 10 seconds
Navigating social media in the workplace
Writs and Cures looks at whether you can be fired for positing things on social media your workplace doesn't like. Plus Dr David Bradford shares the story of his remarkable life at the forefront of the fight against HIV/AIDS
7/31/2018 • 41 minutes, 7 seconds
Writs and Cures: Night Court
In this edition of Writs and Cures the team talk 24/7 justice with the introduction of Night Courts. Plus Soapbox delves into doctors, discipline, and the right to privacy
7/24/2018 • 38 minutes, 7 seconds
Writs and Cures: Female representation in the legal profession
In this edition of Writs and Cures, Dr Nick Carr and Bill O'Shea join David Astle and Monash Health’s Chief Legal Officer Katherine Lorenz to discuss why female lawyers over the age of 50 are dropping out of the practice more quickly than their male counterparts.
Plus Associate Professor Doug Boyle, the director of the University of Melbourne’s Research Information Technology Unit, joins the group to explain how using health data can improve Victoria’s expensive and fragmented medical system.
6/5/2018 • 43 minutes, 10 seconds
Writs and Cures: Defence, liberty and Law Week
In this edition of Writs and Cures, Dr Nick Carr and Bill O'Shea join with Lindy Burns and high-profile criminal defence lawyer Rob Stary for a wide ranging discussion on personal liberties, the pressures on the justice system and some of the challenges faced by lawyers today.
5/15/2018 • 43 minutes, 39 seconds
Writs and cures: Emergency trauma management
In this edition of Writs and Cures, Steve Ellen and Bill O'Shea join Lindy Burns for a discussion about the demise of democracy and whether citizens' assemblies may be the way forward.
Plus, Dr Amit Maini, a physician from The Alfred hospital's Emergency and Trauma Centre, shares his experience of dealing with acute trauma cases and why Victoria has one of the better trauma survival rates across the globe.
5/1/2018 • 43 minutes, 20 seconds
Writs and Cures: Should smoking be shown on screen?
In this edition of Writs and Cures, Steve Ellen and Bill O’Shea join Lindy Burns and co-host Dilruk Jayasinha to talk about the morality of showing smoking in film and on television.
Plus special guests Kate Booth and Emily Hart from Maurice Blackburn Lawyers join the group to discuss a new pro bono patient legal clinic they run at the Alfred Hospital.
4/24/2018 • 40 minutes, 33 seconds
The Melbourne GP seeking to abolish nuclear weapons
How does a GP end up being involved in issues around nuclear weapons? Meet Nobel prize winner Dr Margie Beavis who shares with Writs and Cures her work campaigning against nuclear weapons. Plus, Writs and Cures looks at what you can do to protect your privacy in the light of the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
4/17/2018 • 39 minutes, 40 seconds
Writs and Cures: Your rights regarding fines
In this edition of Writs and Cures, psychiatrist Steve Ellen and Melbourne lawyer Katie Miller speak to Lindy Burns about death – why is it taboo to talk about? What are its leading causes? Can we plan appropriately for it? Plus they're joined by Brendan Lacota, the Principal Lawyer at Moonee Valley Community Legal Service, who explains what you can do if you receive a fine.
3/20/2018 • 43 minutes, 22 seconds
Preventing diseases with vaccines
In this edition of Writs and Cures, Bill O’Shea and Dr Nick Carr speak to David Astle about recent changes to the Guardianship Bill – the legislation which allows adults with a disability to make decisions that affect their lives. Plus special guest Dr Jenny Royle, an immunisation expert and Senior Visiting Fellow with the University of New South Wales, joins the team to discuss vaccination.
3/13/2018 • 40 minutes, 17 seconds
Australia's changing alcohol consumption habits
In this edition of Writs and Cures, Bill O'Shea and Steve Ellen speak to David Astle about Australia's changing alcohol consumption habits. Plus special guest Phil Grano, OAM, the Principal Legal Officer with the Office of the Public Advocate, joins the team to discuss a new law which will allow you to appoint a medical treatment decision-maker who can consent to or refuse medical treatment on your behalf if you can no longer make the decisions for yourself.
3/6/2018 • 34 minutes, 27 seconds
Freeing up unoccupied properties
In this edition of Writs and Cures the team look at how to free up what some say are a vast number of unoccupied properties in Melbourne to help those finding it difficult to get into the property market. Plus meet special guest Professor Cheryl Jones, one of Melbourne’s leading infectious diseases paediatricians and the recently appointed executive director of the Melbourne Academic Health Centre.
2/27/2018 • 44 minutes, 25 seconds
The way ahead in understanding depression
As more people question the old adage that depression is due to a chemical imbalance in the brain Writs and Cures looks at some if the current thinking around the condition and its causes. Plus special guest Julian Burnside AO QC joins the team to talk refugee justice and the importance of making sure people feel heard.
2/20/2018 • 42 minutes, 59 seconds
Using the immune system to fight cancer
In this edition of Writs and Cures one of Australia's leading clinical researchers in cancer Professor Joe Trapani discusses the latest developments in immunotherapy. Plus Soapbox looks at the legalities around partnerships from both a business and domestic perspective.
2/13/2018 • 43 minutes, 45 seconds
The future of legal practice
In this editon of Wrtis and Cures legal futurist Terri Mottershead gives you a glimpse of where legal practice is heading. Plus meet the lawyers who love to sing.
2/6/2018 • 45 minutes, 55 seconds
Pain management in infants and children
Writs and Cures looks into the work being done at the Royal Children’s Hospital on how to combat pain suffered by children when undergoing painful medical procedures. Plus, the team look at the reasons behind the restriction on over the counter sales of pain relievers containing codeine
1/30/2018 • 44 minutes, 40 seconds
Tackling family estrangement
Writs and Cures examines whether family estrangement is more common than we think plus special guest Professor Noel Woodford from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine gives you behind the scenes look at the world of forensic pathology
1/23/2018 • 42 minutes, 37 seconds
Leading defamation lawyer shares his insights
Writs and Cures delves into the world of defamation law with media and communications law expert Peter Bartlett. Plus get the lowdown on advanced care planning.
12/5/2017 • 44 minutes, 51 seconds
The future of health insurance
As the cost of private health insurance increases Writs and Cures looks at whether it is worth the money. Plus, blood pressure: what causes it and how to combat it?
11/28/2017 • 40 minutes, 28 seconds
The legalities around apartment living
Writs and Cures looks at the legal issues of apartment living plus in Soapbox the team look at a recent UK case where a judge has laid out the rules for acceptable flirting at work.
11/21/2017 • 43 minutes, 21 seconds
Meet the doctor with one of the toughest jobs in Victoria
Writs and Cures introduces you to Dr Danny Sullivan, Executive Director of Clinical Services at Forensicare in Victoria – the state-wide services that looks after the mental health of our prison population and those facing the criminal justice system.
11/14/2017 • 43 minutes, 38 seconds
Transforming healthcare through the arts
Writs and Cures introduces you to Dr Catherine Crock, a physician at the Royal Children’s Hospital who founded the Hush Foundation, an organisation that aims to transform healthcare through the use of the arts. Plus we give you the low down on how the Constitution works.
10/31/2017 • 47 minutes, 20 seconds
Jill Gallagher is one of Victoria’s leading advocates for Aboriginal health
In this edition of Writs and Cures Jill Gallagher discusses the challenges of reducing the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous health, and the importance of culture to health.
10/24/2017 • 42 minutes
How superannuation works
Writs and Cures delves into the world of superannuation and reveals a few thing you may not already be aware of. Plus the team look at the curious link between heart disease and mental health.
10/10/2017 • 44 minutes, 38 seconds
Managing mental health problems in general practice settings
Mental health affects one in five Victorians. And by and large, mental illness is managed by GPs in the community, but what training is given to GPs to ensure their patients get the best support?
9/27/2017 • 42 minutes, 8 seconds
Safety and accountability in the medical profession
Writs and Cures asks can it be defamatory to give your doctor a bad review on social media? And what governing bodies exist to ensure the medical profession is held to account?
9/19/2017 • 40 minutes, 13 seconds
Understanding bariatric surgery
Writs and Cures special guest Professor Wendy Brown talks bariatric surgery and Soapbox takes a look at new laws governing powers of attorney.
9/12/2017 • 41 minutes, 41 seconds
How Dr Bronwyn King took on tobacco funding
When Dr Bronwyn King discovered that her superannuation fund was investing in tobacco companies she took action. The results where remarkable.
9/5/2017 • 42 minutes, 41 seconds
Supporting young people through cancer
Writs and Cures looks at the work of Canteen Australia in helping young people deal with cancer and Soapbox delves into whether British citizenship is ok for MPs in Australia.
8/24/2017 • 41 minutes, 47 seconds
County Court Chief Judge Peter Kidd shares his experiences of investigating war crimes
Writs and Cures special guest Chief Judge Peter Kidd describes the profound experience of being an International Prosecutor at the War Crimes Chamber of the State Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina at Sarajevo and also shares what life is like as as Chief Judge of the County Court of Victoria.
8/8/2017 • 45 minutes, 5 seconds
AFL star Gavin Crosisca: from addiction to counsellor
Writs and Cures: Collingwood football star Gavin Crosisca shares his story from serious addictions to drugs and alcohol to drug to counsellor. Plus Nerida Wallace, CEO of the law Institute on women in the legal profession.
8/1/2017 • 44 minutes, 42 seconds
The tricky matter of workplace relationships
Writs and Cures: the difficult issue of workplace relationships, plus executive director of the Human Rights Law Centre Hugh de Kretser on the Manus Island Detention Centre.
7/25/2017 • 43 minutes, 8 seconds
Writs and cures: is consent necessary to withdraw medical treatment in Australia?
The plight of UK baby Charlie Gard raises questions about Australia's medical laws
7/18/2017 • 44 minutes, 20 seconds
Preventing prescription drug overdoses
In this edition of Writs and Cures Dr Nick Carr discusses combating the alarming number of deaths caused by prescription drug overdoses. Plus special guest Dr Deborah Lawson talks legal support for cancer patients.
7/11/2017 • 45 minutes, 9 seconds
Understanding committal hearings
In this edition of Writs and Cures lawyer Bill O'Shea talks committal hearings off the back of some recent discussions on whether they should be abolished in Victoria, plus special guest is the Swinburne University Vice-Chancellor Professor Linda Kristjanson.
7/4/2017 • 47 minutes, 26 seconds
How to avoid getting sick next time you travel
In this edition of Writs and Cures Dr Nick Carr gives some handy tips on how to avoid getting sick when travelling and this week's special guest is Victoria’s Assistant Health Complaints Commissioner, Dorota Siarkiewicz.
6/27/2017 • 44 minutes, 38 seconds
Jeff Kennett reflects on his years at Beyond Blue
In this edition of Writs and Cures special guest the the Hon. Jeff Kennett discusses his work at Beyond Blue plus in Soapbox the team talk judicial independence in Australia.
6/20/2017 • 44 minutes, 27 seconds
The importance of wills
Do you find yourself putting off making a will? Writs and Cures talks at the ins and outs of making wills. Plus Soapbox looks at what is being done to combat violence in hospitals.
6/6/2017 • 43 minutes, 39 seconds
When contracts go wrong
Writs and Cures looks at your rights when terms and conditions go wrong. Plus, Dr Nick Carr talks coughs, colds and the flu.
5/30/2017 • 43 minutes, 58 seconds
Keeping your kidneys healthy
Special guest Professor Peter Kerr from Kidney Health Australia talks kidney health. Plus in Soapbox: should Victoria join other States in setting up a spent convictions scheme?
5/23/2017 • 44 minutes, 20 seconds
An update on changes to the Adult Parole Board
His Honour Peter Couzens, the Chair of the Adult Parole Board, updates Writs and Cures on recent changes to the operation of the Adult Parole Board and its increased powers. Plus Joh Kirby talks Victoria Law Foundation’s 50th anniversary.
5/16/2017 • 45 minutes, 30 seconds
Meena Singh on supporting Aboriginal people within the justice system
Meena Singh joins Writs and Cures to discuss the work of Aboriginal Services at Victoria Legal Aid.
5/2/2017 • 43 minutes, 11 seconds
Seeking justice for the victims of child sexual and institutional abuse
Melbourne lawyer Angela Sdrinis discusses her work in seeking justice for the victims of child sexual and institutional abuse and their families
4/18/2017 • 42 minutes, 34 seconds
How charities are regulated
Writs and Cures looks at how charities are regulated, provides an update on the rights of people experiencing homelessness plus meet the CEO of Beyondblue, Georgie Harman.
4/11/2017 • 44 minutes, 36 seconds
Understanding family law when couples separate
Writs and Cures provides some tips on how to avoid protracted hearings in the Family Court when couples decide to separate, plus Soapbox delves into a proposal by the Melbourne City Council to ban homeless people from the CBD
4/4/2017 • 44 minutes, 28 seconds
Understanding emotions
Writs and Cures: Can negative emotions have an upside? Plus the laws that regulate how much we get paid
3/21/2017 • 40 minutes, 50 seconds
Child health: the poll that asks what parents think
Writs and Cures looks at a poll that aims to capture what parent think and feel about child health issues, plus Soapbox delves into how cyber bullying and trolling can best be combatted.
3/14/2017 • 42 minutes, 51 seconds
Can a leopard change its spots? New research challenges traditional notions of personality
Did you know your personality might actually change over your lifetime? Some new research out of Scotland suggests that our personality is not as fixed as once thought. Plus, meet Belinda Wilson! She’s the new President of the Law Institute of Victoria.
3/7/2017 • 42 minutes, 50 seconds
Writs and Cures
What can governments do with the information we give it? Plus, leading cancer expert speaks about the latest advancements in treatment and his own personal experience of being a cancer patient.
2/28/2017 • 43 minutes, 1 second
Writs and Cures: whistleblowing in the private sector plus a ground-breaking study into family violence
Lawyer Bill O'Shea and Melbourne GP Dr Nick Carr joined Lindy Burns for Writs and Cures. Special guest, Professor Kelsey Hegarty, discussed her ground-breaking study into family violence which was conducted in GP waiting rooms. Plus Soapbox looked at the issues of whistleblowing in the private sector.
2/21/2017 • 41 minutes, 41 seconds
Writs and Cures
Writs and Cures looks into the legalities of selling stigmatised properties plus special guest Jane Pirkis discusses how the media portrays suicide.