Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine Act 1985 - SECT 66A

Powers of the Institute

66A. Powers of the Institute



(1) The Institute may do all things necessary or convenient to be done for, or
in connection with, or as incidental to, the performance of its objects and
functions.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Institute has power to-

   (a)  enter into agreements for services provided by the Institute;

   (b)  impose fees and charges for the provision of services.

(3) Without limiting subsection (1), the Institute has power in respect of the
functions specified in section 66(1) to-

   (a)  collect, use and disclose personal information and health information;

   (b)  advise the State Coroner as to whether a reviewable death requires
        further investigation.

(4) Without limiting subsection (1), the Institute has power in respect of the
function specified in section 66(3) to-

   (a)  collect, use and disclose personal information and health information;

   (b)  advise the State Coroner as to whether a reviewable death requires
        further investigation;

   (c)  consult the family and other persons, including a health service
        provider, to assess the family's need for health and support services;

   (d)  refer the family to health and support services;

   (e)  assess whether a report under section 183 of the
        Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 should be made in relation to
        any living siblings of the deceased child;

   (f)  make a report under section 183 of the
        Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 in relation to any living
        siblings of the deceased child;

   (g)  advise the State Coroner that the Institute has made a report under
        section 183 of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 in relation
        to any living siblings of the deceased child.

(5) Despite any other Act or law, a person to whom a request is made under
subsection (3) or (4) is authorised by this section to provide the information
requested by the Institute.

(6) In this section-

health information has the same meaning as in section 3(1) of the
Health Records Act 2001; health service provider has the same meaning as in
section 3(1) of the Health Records Act 2001; personal information has the same
meaning as in section 3 of the Information Privacy Act 2000. Example The
Institute may exchange personal information or health information with persons
such as the family's general practitioner or the maternal and child health
nurse.