6Functions of Council

6 Functions of Council

The Council has the following functions:

(a) to investigate the circumstances surrounding, and the conditions that have or may have caused –

(i) [Section 6 Amended by No. 40 of 2005, s. 5, Applied:15 Sep 2005] maternal, late maternal and perinatal deaths in Tasmania; and

(ii) [Section 6 Amended by No. 40 of 2005, s. 5, Applied:15 Sep 2005] deaths of children in Tasmania in the age group from 29 days to 17 years (inclusive); and

(iii) congenital abnormalities in children born in Tasmania; and

(iv) injuries, illness or defects suffered by pregnant women or viable foetuses in Tasmania at any time before or during childbirth;

(b) to maintain a perinatal data collection for the purpose of –

(i) collecting, studying, researching and interpreting information relating to deaths referred to in paragraph (a) ; and

(ii) collecting, studying, researching and interpreting information relating to births in Tasmania; and

(iii) identifying and monitoring trends in respect of perinatal health (including congenital abnormalities); and

(iv) providing information to the Secretary on the requirements for, and the planning of, obstetric and neonatal care; and

(v) providing information to persons employed in health care and to researchers; and

(vi) maintaining a register of congenital abnormalities;

(c) [Section 6 Amended by No. 3 of 2010, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2010] to provide information for the education and instruction in medical theory and practice in obstetrics and paediatrics for medical practitioners, registered nurses, enrolled nurses and midwives;

(d) to investigate and report on any other matters relating to obstetric and paediatric mortality and morbidity referred to the Council by the Minister or the Secretary;