26FSecretary to approve or issue guidelines

26F Secretary to approve or issue guidelines

(1)  This section applies to a hospital where non-coronial autopsies, or medical examinations of stillborn children, are performed in accordance with this Act.

(2)  A hospital manager is to submit draft guidelines to the Secretary.

(3)  The draft guidelines –

(a) must include guidelines on any matter specified by the Secretary; and

(b) may include guidelines on the following matters:

(i) procedures relating to obtaining consent for non-coronial autopsies or medical examinations of stillborn children;

(ii) hospital procedures and protocols for all stages of non-coronial autopsies or medical examinations of stillborn children;

(iii) the collection and recording of information relating to non-coronial autopsies or medical examinations of stillborn children; and

(c) may include other guidelines relating to the performance of non-coronial autopsies or medical examinations of stillborn children.

(4)  The draft guidelines may amend, or replace, the existing guidelines for the hospital.

(5)  The Secretary may –

(a) approve the draft guidelines as guidelines; or

(b) refuse to approve the draft guidelines.

(6)  The Secretary may issue guidelines, without having first received a submission under subsection (2) , that –

(a) put guidelines in place for a hospital; or

(b) amend the existing guidelines of a hospital; or

(c) replace the existing guidelines of a hospital.

(7)  If the Secretary issues guidelines that amend the existing guidelines, the amendment, unless it states otherwise, is incorporated into the existing guidelines.

(8)  If the Secretary issues guidelines that replace the existing guidelines, the existing guidelines are rescinded unless the replacement guidelines state otherwise.