Search Results for: health information

Stepping forward with confidence into 2023

Posted on January 12, 2023

Suzanna Robertson, executivedirector of Health Consumers' Council, head and shoulders pictured to the left of a branded banner with logo and tagline that reads "Health Consumers' Council, working together to address barriers in healthcare".

 

HCC Executive Director – 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM) Address

delivered 6 December 2022

It’s a privilege to have joined HCC in April this year (2022).  HCC is an organisation with a strong voice built on experience, knowledge, and a proven commitment to really listening.

We are expert at creating space and conditions for people to be share experience and perspectives.  We identify and act on opportunities to emphasise what we hear and learn, to influence decisions by government and health services, and create conditions for positive change.

We gained 14 new members in 2021/22, growing the HCC community of people involved in creating positive change to nearly 250, with more individuals and organisations joining each month.

In the coming year, we want to do more of what we know makes a difference to people’s lives. However, we operate in an environment where government funding to the community services sector has not kept up with wages growth and cost of operation increases.  This is a hard ask. As such, we are making concerted efforts to grow and diversify our funding sources:

  • Providing consumer engagement expertise through projects and consultancy paid on a for-service basis.
  • Application to government proposing funding for expanded advocacy to reach more people who have prover health outcomes – we’re hopeful but competing with many other challenges for a finite bucket of money.
  • Expanding our consulting to new markets like aged care and disability services that are seeking to engage with consumers effectively and authentically.
  • Continuing to refine the information we collect and report to demonstrate our value and impact, which is challenging when our value is so clearly linked to relationships more than transactions and therefore much harder to measure and count. But we’re committed to keep trying.

When I started here, a statement in HCC’s strategic plan struck a chord – “learning as we go.”

Such simple words, yet so frequently they strike fear into the hearts of policymakers and funders.  So, then nothing is implemented until it’s fully proven, and with governance frameworks and project schedules clearly aligned and articulated.  Creativity, innovation, and consumer voice stifled by bureaucratic process, leading to “faux design” rather than co- design.

I feel like there’s a change afoot. The commitments of key reforms like SHR, of which my predecessor Pip Brennan was a driving force of consumer voice, recognise that what’s gone before isn’t working and it’s time for something new.

Doing new and different things requires a commitment to trying, learning, refining, doing, and learning, trying, and doing some more.  At HCC we are small enough to be agile, responsive, and innovative while robust enough to be credible, reliable, and respected.  These are the qualities that will see HCC step forward with confidence into 2023.

 

 

 

Suzanna Robertson | Executive Director, December 2022

 

Consumer participation payment – HCC process change

Posted on December 14, 2022

Starting in 2023, Health Consumers’ Council will be changing our process when we ask for a consumer’s information to make a consumer participation payment. This change is to ensure that appropriate records are being kept and is due to Australian rule changes.

We will require people to complete a “Statement by supplier” form (for the Australian Tax Office).  The form may be necessary to receive payment from us without an ABN. If you receive this form from us, we will detail why it is required – please reach out to us if you need this further clarified before completing the form. Additionally, if you require any assistance in completing the form we have provided, please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance.  

Kieran,
Health Consumers’ Council, WA

Keen to help?

Posted on November 23, 2022

Systemic issues are problems that impact people every day through inequality, discrimination and barriers to access and inclusion. Examples of systemic problems in the Australian health system include racism, emergency departments and services unable to cope with demand, chronic disease management and difficulties accessing mental health care. Most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the cracks in our system, which has led to large gaps in health care services, burnout among health workers and increased anxiety among everyday people living in Australia.

People often report feeling overwhelmed and angry due to systemic problems. Although they are large and often related to government decisions and social issues, one person can do a lot.

Systems do not change; people do.

 So… what can YOU do?

 

See here for a letter template!

 

One thing to remember when fighting systemic “giants” is that you and your rights matter…but so does your health and well-being. These issues are often overwhelming and can be life-or-death issues for individuals and communities, so it is important to have support and ways get to help if it all feels too much.

System Navigation & Emotional Support

System Navigation Support:

Peer Pathways – 9477 2809 or https://peerpathways.org.au/

CoMHWA’s Peer Pathways project is a West Australian, Statewide helpline for people with mental health challenges to find the supports needed to promote mental and physical wellbeing. Peer Navigators will assist you, your family and your carers to navigate services across the State, including finding counselling and wellbeing services that meet your needs.

Crisis lines

Crisis Care 1800 199 008 (24/7)

Entrypoint 1800 124 684 (Mon-Fri 9am-7pm; Sat 9am-5pm)

MHERL (Mental Health Emergency Response Line) 24/7

– Metro 1300 555 788

– Peel 1800 676 822

– Regional 1800 552 002

Lifeline 13 11 14 (24/7) or text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online – https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat/

1800 Respect (24/7) – 1800 737 732

Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline (24/7) – 1800 007 339

Men’s Domestic Violence Helpline (WA) – 1800 000 599

For translation and interpreting services, call TIS 13 14 50

 

Once you’ve taken care of yourself, you’re ready to begin your advocacy adventure.

The goal of systematic advocacy is to bring positive and lasting change to entire communities of people. There are many ways to support change, from passive actions such as sharing information and talking to loved ones, to active and radical advocacy, including marching in protests and pushing campaigns.

 Everyone has a type of advocacy that will fit their passions and strengths, and some of the most common actions are described below.


Sign or start petitions

If you are on social media, you will probably see petitions being shared around by friends and family, advocating for change.  Petitions are a great way to create awareness and gather tangible support from community for specific issues.  Often, petitions begin after an individual or community have had a negative experience or terrible outcomes, and the people around them are energised to create change so that it doesn’t happen to anyone else, or so something good becomes part of policy for the future.

If you’re on social media, you’ll likely see friends and family sharing petitions advocating for change. Petitions are a great way to raise awareness and get specific support from the community for specific issues. Petitions are often started after a person or community has had a negative experience or had devastating outcomes, and the people around them are energized to create change so that it doesn’t happen to anyone else.  Sometimes petitions are more positively started, when something good happens and people want to have it made permanent.

In WA, you can view a range of Petitions for the Legislative Council here: Current Petitions.

E-Petitions that you can sign can be found here: E-Petitions.

How to get a Petition to Government: Guide to Petitions

There are also lots of other petitions, like #RaiseTheAge and others run on websites like Change.org or The Action Network.  You can support community action by adding your name to the petition.  Some also have options to donate or share with your networks.


Educate yourself and your community

Action and change are often lacking because there is no awareness of the existence of a problem! By hopping online, talking to an expert, or going to your local library, you can gather information and start telling people in your world about the need for change, encouraging them to share theirs! Sometimes when we learn new things, we feel uncomfortable for many reasons. Keep trying, keep exploring and encourage yourself to stay open to different people’s experiences!

 


Respond to strategies and consultations

Governments and other large and powerful organizations often hold consultations on major changes or proposals, such as WA’s abortion reform or Australia’s National Cancer Care Plan. Reviewing and responding to open inquiries through surveys, phone calls, or other written methods can be powerful, especially if the strategies affect you or someone you love.


Volunteer your time

Volunteering is a great way to get to know the issue and have a say in a meaningful, hands-on way.  Volunteering at hospitals or community gatherings is meaningful and rewarding and can make a huge difference in your community.  Volunteering WA is a great website to help you find opportunities in your area.


Join a protest!

In WA we have a range of issues that often generate peaceful protests and marches across the State.  Keeping an eye on social media or following certain issues and campaigns you are passionate about can also lead to you being involved in protests, through turning up on the day, sharing content on social media, or having conversations with key people in your life to raise awareness.


Speak to your local Member

This is something that a lot of people aren’t aware they can do… you can meet with your local member or parliament! Contact their office and ask to book an appointment or phone call or turn up when they’re making a public appearance.  Our government members are there to represent us and our voices, to advocate on issues that impact us, and to help create change at a government level.

If speaking isn’t your thing, you can also email or write to your local member or Minister of a particular issue.  Explain what is important to you, and why.  Tell them your experiences and ideas for improvement and positive change.  Encourage and ask them to take a stand for issues you feel need to be talked about more.

This can happen whenever, either to introduce yourself as a member of their electorate, or to raise important issues and actions at key points in time.  The more people contacting their local members on issues, the more local members will pay attention and act in government.

See here for a letter template!


Vote!

Voting is one of the best things we can do for change.  Make sure you read up on the parties you are voting for, check their positions on certain issues that you are passionate about.  One way to do this is through ABC’s Vote Compass, or looking at unbiased election guides that explain each issue and the different parties’ policies or stances.  Talking with different candidates may also be helpful, either by giving them a call or meeting them.

As Bluey said, “You don’t vote for what someone looks like, you vote for who is the best leader”.


Donate & Share

If there are certain issues you are passionate about, but for whatever reason you are unable to engage in the ways listed above, the simplest way to help create change is to donate (time, money, attention) and share (verbally, in person, online, publicly, privately, via messenger pigeon!).  Look for local groups or organisations that advocate for rights and issues and get in contact to see how you can help with your capacity.  Nothing and no one are too big or too small.

Many people create artistic expressions of the issues and their opinions and beliefs.  Others support products or services that are committed to change, or DON’T support those that are against change.

Share hashtags related to the issues you are passionate about and have conversations with people about it (#MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter, #DonateLife).  Donate your time to train for individual advocacy or find a job that aligns with your passions.  Donate time & attention by reading or listening to material on the issues you want to understand.


 

See here for a letter template!

 

Rapid review of the Independent Governance Review with a consumer/lived experience/community lens 

Posted on October 31, 2022

The report of the Independent Governance Review Panel has been noted by Cabinet and was presented to Parliament on 25 October 2022. You can read the report and the public submissions online at https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/About-us/Department-of-Health/Independent-Governance-Review-of-the-Health-Services-Act-2016

At Health Consumers’ Council we were proactive at promoting this Review as an opportunity to address some of the high-level issues experienced by consumers, people with lived experience, carers and family members. 

The report is the result of months of detailed work and will take us some time to go through in detail. We understand there will be much work required for the proposals contained in the report to be actioned. We’re sharing our rapid reflections on the report at this stage in the spirit of collaboration and shared purpose. 

Overview 

From HCC’s initial reading, we see that there is much to be welcomed in the report – and some things to question further before they progress to implementation. 

 Great to see proposed: 

  • Act to be changed to require involvement of consumers on Health Service Provider (HSP) Boards, including Aboriginal people and people with mental health experience 
  • The Minister for Health is to develop a long-term health strategy 
  • A proposal that governance should evolve so that collaboration, information sharing and networking are the norm 
  • Consumers should be recognised as partners in systemwide health strategies and development of local services 
  • Establishment of collective leadership forums (consumers involved in the “advisory” forum) 
  • That the Minister for Health will develop a legislated code for consumer engagement and partnership 
  • A stronger focus on Aboriginal health and the inclusion of the Aboriginal Health Council of WA in the collaborative leadership structures of the system 
  • Refreshed role for Clinical Senate and clinical networks 
  • Creation of three commissioning authorities (north, south and east) at arms-length from HSPs – in collaboration with other commissioning bodies, including Commonwealth, National Disability Insurance Agency and local aged care authorities 
  • All data to be shared openly and transparently across DoH and HSPs unless there is a reason not to do so 
  • Public reporting of performance dashboards but… 
  • More transparent public reporting was also proposed in the Sustainable Health Review but so far hasn’t been fully implemented from that program of work 
  • Under workforce proposals it includes the development of patient-oriented roles to work alongside clinical roles and support consumer engagement and system navigation 
  • The inclusion of consumers and Aboriginal health services in the design of emergency responses including any rapid design and mobilisation of new service models. 

 More information needed/questions to be asked 

  • It is proposed that the Department of Health (DoH) provide more clear guardrails to HSPs about where HSPs do and don’t have local discretion in regard to systemwide policies. We hope this won’t mean that policy officers in DoH – many of whom have no or little experience of working in frontline clinical settings – will develop policy that HSPs will then be required to implement. 
  • Change in role for the Mental Health Commission – from commissioning to oversight. 
  • While the report signals a shift in culture from competitive to collaborative, it is silent on the mechanisms for this to be achieved. As this isn’t something that will “just happen”, we believe it needs some focused attention and resources on how this shift will occur. 
  • The report refers to building the DoH’s capability to develop major health projects – we’d like to know that this will include senior consumer involvement. We see value in a consumer lens being applied before anything progresses to procurement and being locked into contracts. 
  • It refers to an ICT Executive Board and a Digital Health Reference Group – it refers to a range of stakeholders, but no mention of consumers yet. We’d advocate for someone with a consumer lens in these discussions, noting that they would also have to have strong technical understanding. 
  • On p23, it’s noted that more training is needed on how to engage with consumers. We note that this was also a recommendation (Rec 12) for Boards in the Hugo Mascie Taylor report into the safety and quality of the system published in July 2017, but we’re not aware of any such training having taken place. What will be different to ensure these recommendations are fully progressed, and publicly reported on? 

 Opportunity missed? 

  • The report does not seem to require that DoH involve consumers/carers at the highest level of DoH governance. This is very disappointing and at odds with references elsewhere to the importance of consumer/carer/community involvement in systemwide strategic planning and discussions. For example, the MHC has had consumers and carers involved at their highest levels of governance for some time – including sitting alongside Health Service Provider Chief Executives at the Mental Health Executive Committee – but there is no sign of this being suggested for DoH. 

We will continue to review this document in detail and will be holding a rapid consumer/carer/lived experience leader briefing session on the report on Tuesday 1 November, 12pm – 1.30pm. You can register to attend this session at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/independent-governance-review-report-hcc-info-session-tickets-451041014817  

We will also reach out to the Review team to see if they will be organising any targeted briefing sessions. 

Clare Mullen, 31 October 2022 

The time is now!

Posted on October 24, 2022

Last week I was lucky to be able to travel to Melbourne and participate as a consumer/Lived Experience representative in a couple of conferences.

The prompt for my trip was to attend the International Congress on Obesity (ICO) – I was part of a group of Lived Experience advocates, including some of the team from the national Weight Issues Network. This is a large conference – around 1,000 people from all over the world – that takes place every two years. This was the first year that people with lived experience were explicitly included.

As I was going to be in Melbourne anyway, I also went along to the Wild Health Digital Health summit. I was alerted to that by regular posts from someone I’m connected with on LinkedIn.

It was a massive week of learning, reflection, observation, and ideas sparking. It’ll take a while for me to make sense of everything – but here are some initial cross-cutting reflections from the two events. Some of these are reiterations of things I’ve known, others are new.

I think it’s time for a revolution in how we think about consumer, carer and lived experience input.

  • Having a consumer/lived experience perspective in the room changes the nature of the discussion
  • Speaking up when I’m the only, or one of very few, people with a consumer/lived experience perspective requires extra energy from me – I need to prepare for that and factor in recharge time
  • We need to move away from the idea that it’s ok to only have a handful of people with consumer/carer/lived experience perspectives in a room when there are hundreds of other people with professional/learned experience perspectives
  • There must be consumer perspectives at every table where decisions that impact us are being made – this includes at the highest levels of government: for example, when health service funding models are being conceived and developed
  • This mean organisations need to step up their level of investment in building capacity of people with consumer/carer/lived experience perspectives to also become “learned experience” experts – particularly in technical areas – while retaining a consumer/carer/lived experience lens.

Speaking truth to power

In many of the discussions I was in last week, I very much felt a responsibility to speak consumer and lived experience perspectives into the room.

There is currently no democratic forum in Australia where consumers, carers, and community members can hold our elected representatives to account for the state of our health and social care system.

We are required to talk to our State representatives on State-funded issues and our Federal representatives on Commonwealth-funded issues. I believe this is a massive contributor to the ongoing tolerance of a highly fragmented health and social care system. It is essential that consumer and lived experience perspectives are spoken into every discussion that impacts our health and social wellbeing – so that people can move away from “meh, what are you going to do?” to “right, what are we going to do?!”.

Time to “professionalise” the consumer/lived experience voice?

I am hugely privileged in that I have a paid job in consumer/lived experience systemic advocacy and engagement. This means I have time to connect with a wide range of people with diverse consumer, carer and lived experience perspectives, and I also have time to read (some of!) the tsunami of government and academic papers that are churned out relentlessly about how to improve our health and wellbeing, as well as the systems that support them. Reading these with a consumer lens can result in quite a different interpretation than some other lenses.

But at a very rough calculation, I’m probably one of approximately 200 people[1] across Australia who have that privilege. Compare this with 642,000 health practitioners working in their registered professions[2] in 2020 and a further 588,000 people[3] working in welfare roles. And that doesn’t take into account people working in health and social care policy/government roles.

So even if everyone of those 200 people in paid systemic advocacy roles are superstars (which I’m sure many of them are), there is no way they can be in every high level policy/agenda setting discussion where a consumer/lived experience perspective is required!

As an example: one of the speakers at the Wild Digital Health Summit commented how positive it was that there were now 32 Chief Nursing and Midwifery Information Officers across Australia. It occurred to me,

…what might it be like if we had 32 Chief Consumer Information Officers across Australia?

Building consumer leadership capacity and technical knowledge – while staying grounded in lived experience

When I was at the Wild Health Summit, I was very aware of my lack of technical knowledge of the subject. (At one point, the fabulous Heather Grain was introduced on a panel as being an expert in “fire” – which I thought was interesting, but not that relevant. I have subsequently learned that they said FHIR which stands for Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources!)

So I’m left thinking – how do we ensure that there are enough people with both a strongly grounded consumer/lived experience focus and the technical knowledge to be able to add real value in some of these more technical discussions?

I wouldn’t start from here…

Another area that I think urgently needs more people with a grounded consumer/lived experience lens and technical expertise is that of health and social care system funding models.

At both the Wild Health Summit and the ICO event, the consequences of our current funding models for health and social care came up. Both the fee for service/Medicare funded primary care system, and the activity-based funding model in hospital services, incentivise clinicians and healthcare organisations to “do more things”.

How can we have a system that is focused on prevention of ill-health, and promotion of health and well-being, when we’re incentivising the system to deliver more healthcare?

The time is now

At a recent consumer/lived experience representative network event in WA, we discussed the need for a consumer/lived experience/community-led summit on health and social care.

If we as a community don’t take the lead on outlining our requirements for a system that truly focuses on the health and wellbeing of the people in the community, we will see the consequences of a health and social care system that is designed to meet the many and varied vested interests of people and organisations who are tasked with delivering that care, rather than the people who experience it.

Now that I’m back to my day job, I’m going to be thinking about how I can play my part in building this social movement for change.

Clare Mullen, October 2022

[1] Based on 6 states and 1 territory with a peak health consumer body, plus 3 other organisations, with an average workforce of 5 people focused on systemic advocacy; plus a Council of Social Services in each state and territory; plus national consumer/lived experience bodies

[2] https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/workforce/health-workforce

[3] https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/welfare-workforce

[4] https://www.ipaa.org.au/latest-abs-public-sector-employment-figures-now-available/

 

Thanks for visiting us at our expo stall

Posted on October 20, 2022

Click below to learn more about what we do – with you, and for you:

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We’d like to hear from you! Please let us know any feedback you have for HCC from today’s event.

Connecting and communicating consumer perspectives on cancer care in WA

Posted on October 11, 2022

 

Has cancer affected your life – currently or in the past? A desire to connect with others who have similar lived experiences is the drive behind the upcoming community conversation welcoming consumers affected by cancer in WA. Health consumers’, carers, family, and community are invited to join “Connecting and communicating consumer perspectives on cancer care in WA“.

Be part of the conversation to discuss progress on the 2020-25 WA Cancer Plan. Discuss opportunities for future consumer and community connections.

Date and time

About this event

The WA Cancer Plan guides cancer care in WA: find out about progress on the 2020-25 plan and discuss opportunities for future consumer and community connections

Health Consumers’ Council (HCC) WA and the Consumer and Community Involvement Program (CCIP) are hosting this community conversation for people with experience of cancer – either for themselves, or for a loved one.

In this session, consumer representative Susannah Morris, the HCC WA consumer representative in cancer involved in work relating to the development and now implementation of the WA State Cancer Plan, will give an update on work so far as background for the conversation. Cancer care is delivered in the states and so state plans provide important context that guides care and affects consumer experiences and outcomes. Unlike some other jurisdictions, WA does not have a readily identifiable network of cancer consumers: we are fragmented between our cancer types and our treating locations and so this community conversation provides a space for us to come together.

This will be an opportunity for attendees to discuss their interest in people with experience of cancer in WA connecting with each other in order to influence the scope, design and delivery of health services and health research in relation to cancer and survivorship.

(NB This information session is being hosted independently by HCC and the CCIP to provide an opportunity for people with experience of cancer to connect with each other and learn about work relating to cancer care and services in WA. This is not a Department of Health event.)

This conversation will be held online, via Zoom – details will be sent out in the week before the session.

 

About the organisers

We are (Health Consumers’ Council WA) an independent charity that exists to support and promote consumer, carer and community perspectives in the WA health system.

The Consumer and Community Involvement Program (CCI Program) is an activity of the Western Australian Health Translation Network (WAHTN). The CCI Program (CCIP) supports consumers, community members and researchers to work in partnership to make decisions about health research priorities, policy and practice with the aim of improving health outcomes and ensuring community involvement becomes standard practice.

BACKGROUND: Cancer Care and the WA Cancer Plan, launched 2020

The WA Cancer Plan was released in February 2020 setting out the next five years of strategy in relation to cancer services. This work was undertaken by the WA Department of Health, and the Health Consumers’ Council supported the project through running a community survey and developing consumer videos reflecting consumer patient journey experiences. A summary of survey results is available here. The launch event featured a moving and articulate presentation from Advisory Group member Susannah Morris, who ensured the consumer voice was at the heart of the plan as much as possible.

(An abridged version of Susannah’s speech is in Health Matters (pages 10-11: March 2020 issue) on the Health Consumers’ Council (WA) website, titled “A new plan for cancer
care in WA“)

REGISTER FOR THE COMMUNITY CONVERSATION HERE:

https://bit.ly/WA-Cancer-Plan-Community-Conversation-Consumer-Perspectives

(LinkedIn: for Dr Susannah Morris)

What the HCC Engagement team have been up to in Djilba (August-September) 2022

Posted on September 16, 2022

It’s been a busy few weeks for our team – here’s a selection of some of the meetings and events we’ve been part of…

  • Meeting with the WA Council of Social Services to discuss work happening on partnership in relation to the WA Sustainable Health Review (SHR)
  • Meeting with Helping Minds to discuss shared interests
  • Promoting consumer perspectives as part of the East Metropolitan Health Service Obesity Prevention Strategy Implementation Committee
  • Meeting with East Metropolitan Health Service to discuss ways of getting consumer input to inform plans for a weight management clinic
  • Promoting consumer perspectives as part of the East Metropolitan Health Service Weight Management Clinic model of care project reference group
  • Hosting a community conversation about the WA consultation on Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Acts to inform HCC’s submission on this topic
  • Meeting with the consumer organisations in other states and territories to discuss how we can have more of a state consumer voice on national issues – such as primary care reform
  • Meeting with the Department of Health to discuss our new contract arrangements (which will kick in from 1 January 2023)
  • Meeting with the Department of Health to understand the state position on Long COVID
  • Attending the launch of the Consumers of Mental Health WA launch of their new individual advocacy service for people with psycho-social disability
  • Call with Cancer Council WA about running consumer focus groups
  • Taking part in cultural responsiveness training
  • Hosting two consumer forums – funded by the WA Department of Health – on the experience of multicultural men and multicultural people living regionally in relation to cancer care and information
  • Taking part in the Care Opinion national advisory group
  • Meeting with the team at the National Justice Project about the next steps with the Aboriginal Patient Advocacy Training
  • Promoting consumer perspectives at the Emergency Access Reform Program Control Group
  • Delivering our first fully virtual consumer representative training workshop
  • Meeting with the Department of Health to discuss the work on SHR Recommendation 23 in relation to clinical and consumer leadership
  • Meeting with the WA Primary Health Alliance to support consumer involvement in the development of a model of care for chronic heart failure
  • Meeting with the WA Country Health Service to help them access consumer-facing materials about engaging with health services
  • Meeting with the Department of Health about sexual health and blood borne viruses
  • Meeting with Consumer and Community Involvement Program (CCIP) and a consumer leader to discuss opportunities to connect consumers, carers and community members with lived experience of cancer – planning a community conversation in October
  • Meeting with the Department of Health to discuss communities of practice
  • Taking part in an online forum on COVID Antivirals
  • Attending the launch of the refreshed Live Lighter campaign
  • Promoting consumer perspectives in a meeting with the WA Enrolled Nurses Cooperative hosted by Community Skills WA
  • Hosting a community conversation about the reality of “living with COVID” with Professor Grant Waterer
  • Meeting with the Department of Health about their plans to involve consumers in the development of a WA Safety and Quality strategy.
  • Meeting with Community Legal WA and the WA Financial Counsellors Association to discuss shared interests and possible collaboration opportunities
  • Meeting with People With disability WA to discuss the Empowering Health Consumers With Disability training we are running together
  • Attending Clinical Services Redesign Methodology training with other people involved in the Emergency Access Reform program across WA Health
  • Meeting with Asthma Australia to discuss shared interests
  • Hosting a cultural sensitivity training with a private hospital
  • Hosting an online workshop on Acknowledging Country (find out more about these workshops and sign up at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/acknowledging-country-tickets-414587019937
  • Presenting – alongside two consumers – on the lived experience of overweight and obesity to 3rd year medical students at Curtin University
  • Meeting with the Department of Health and the WA Primary Health Alliance about the work on the WELL Collaborative (WELL = Weight Education and Lifestyle Leadership)
  • Talking on the ABC Perth morning show about the implications for consumers of the one-off public holidays on 22 September

This is only part of the work HCC does. At the same time, our Advocacy team have been responding to individual consumer enquiries every day providing both “in the moment” support, and also longer term support and advice to consumers who’s enquiries require involvement over a longer period of time.

 

Engagement Officer, L4 – full-time

Posted on September 6, 2022

Can you help us build a social movement in health?

At Health Consumers’ Council, we believe in people power. Through our engagement and partnerships work, we are building a social movement in health – where the people who use health and healthcare services, and the people who work in them, can work together to identify priorities for improvement and make positive and lasting change.

We’re looking for a can-do person to join our team and help us extend our reach to more people in the community who use health and social care services, as well as reaching more of the people who work in them.

Health Consumers’ Council WA

The Health Consumers’ Council of WA (HCC) is an independent community-based organisation which was established in 1994, representing the consumer’s voice in health policy, planning, research, and service delivery. We stand for equitable, person-centred, quality healthcare for all West Australians.

Three people sitting at a desk looking towards the front of the room. In the background is an Aboriginal flag and a Torres Strait Islander Flag, and a whiteboard with post-it notes

About the Role

This role is based in the Engagement team and is for an initial period of up to 2 years with the possibility of extension. As well as managing your own projects and activities, you will also provide support to other members of the Engagement team including the Aboriginal Engagement Coordinator, the Cultural Diversity Engagement Coordinator, the Marketing and Communications Coordinator and the Deputy Director.

This is a full-time role based between our offices in Mount Lawley and your home. For the right person, we may consider part-time options, but ideally we’re looking for someone who can be available to work 5 days/week.

What We Offer

  •  A friendly and supportive team that’s making a tangible difference in the community
  • A competitive not-for-profit annual base salary – Level 4 Social Community Home care and Disability Award ($39.26/hour + super)
  • Salary sacrifices up to $15,900 per annum
  • An engaging and flexible working environment
  • The opportunity to work on a wide range of projects and to learn practical skills on the job.

What you’ll be doing

This is a mixed role with lots of variety so you’ll get the chance to work on a range of projects and activities within the Engagement team’s portfolio including:

  • Delivering training and presentations to a range of groups including consumers, carers, community members, people with lived experience and staff working in government, health care and social care
  • Planning, organising and delivering events and workshops – including virtual, face-to-face and hybrid (both virtual and face-to-face)
  • Analysing feedback from events and workshops and creating reports to share this information with a range of stakeholders
  • General engagement project coordination including
  • preparing, monitoring and reporting on project plans
  • liaising with project stakeholders to ensure tasks and deliverables are achieved in line with project plans
  • monitoring and reporting on project budgets
  • responding to enquiries from a wide range of stakeholders about engagement and partnership practices and programs, including providing advice
  • creating and distributing engaging content for a range of platforms including social media, website, email, MS Teams and publications
  • helping to recruit and support volunteers to support HCC’s activities.

What you’ll need to succeed in this role:

  • Excellent literacy and writing skills and strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Experience in a people-facing role such as customer service or stakeholder engagement and a love of connecting with people
  • Experience in organising meetings, workshops or events
  • Collaborative working style with an ability and willingness to muck in with other team activities as required
  • Be able to work autonomously and within deadlines, including managing a number of projects at the same time
  • Proactive, reliable and flexible attitude and comfortable working in a fast-paced adaptive environment
  • Highly proficient general office IT skills for day to day office activities including the ability to quickly learn to become very comfortable using MS Word, MS Teams and MS Powerpoint – and using MS Excel for organising and sorting data – and comfortable learning new IT skills quickly and with minimal input as required

If you’ve had experience of stakeholder engagement or working with volunteers that would be great. And if you have other skills and experience that you think makes you a great fit for this role, please tell about those too!

Diversity and inclusion

At Health Consumers’ Council we know that strength comes from diverse perspectives being at the table. If you require any adjustments to submit your application, we invite you to get in touch with Clare Mullen via email clare.mullen@hconc.org.au or call reception on 08 9221 3422.

Please read the attached position description for more details – please refer to the criteria in your application.

To apply for this role, please send us an email (to info@hconc.org.au) and a copy of your resume and tell us:

  • What is it about your professional or life experience that makes you a good fit for this role? (Please make it clear how these relate to the tasks and criteria in the position description in your response.)
  • Why do you want this position?
  • How do you see yourself helping Health Consumers’ Council to deliver on our plans?
  • What do you look for in a working environment that can help you thrive?

Next Steps

To be considered for this opportunity please email applications to info@hconc.org.au by no later than 9am on Tuesday 27 September 2022.

Emergency Access Reform

Posted on August 10, 2022

In May 2022 the Premier of WA launched a package of reforms to improve emergency care in WA. This included setting up a Ministerial Taskforce on this issue, led by the Minister for Health. (Read more about that announcement here: https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2022/05/New-252-million-dollar-reform-package-to-improve-WA-emergency-care.aspx)

HCC has been funded by the WA Department of Health to establish a consumer/carer/community/lived experience network of people with an interest in relevant areas to this program.

Click here to sign up to this consumer, carer, community, lived experience network to receive regular updates about this work, including opportunities to be involved

Clare Mullen, HCC’s Deputy Director is a member of the Program Control Group.

Areas of focus

This program is very wide-reaching. It’s about how people arrive at, move through, and move out of a hospital setting. It is looking at a range of options including identifying clinically appropriate alternative treatment options as people enter the health service – meaning people who don’t need emergency treatment don’t have to wait unnecessarily in an ED waiting room, or in an ambulance outside the hospital. It could also include supporting timely discharge from hospital to other appropriate services when someone no longer needs specialist medical treatment.

It covers how someone might end up at an Emergency Department (ED), how they move from the ED to a ward (or leave the ED to go home), and how they get discharged from the hospital eventually.

The focus on people leaving hospital is to make sure that people aren’t staying in hospital any longer than they need to BUT that if people need additional support or care, that this is in place before they leave the hospital.

There are particular groups of people whose experience is the initial focus for this work:

  • people living in residential aged care facilities who need healthcare
    • often people in this situation come to ED by ambulance, but may not need Emergency care. The program will be looking at how to make sure people get the care they need in the right part of the system for them.
  • older people who may have come to the hospital from their own home, but who will be discharged into an aged care facility because they need more support than can be provided for them at home
    • sometimes people may have discussed this possibility with their family already, but in many cases that’s not the case – so how can people and their families get the support they need, and make sure that they are able to be transferred out of hospital when they no longer need hospital-level care – but do need some kind of care
  • people with disability who may need additional support to be able to return to their home after a hospital stay

Health services are looking at a range of options – including virtual emergency medicine and other alternatives to emergency departments – to try to make sure that the people who really need the intense level of healthcare that is provided in an emergency department can access that care promptly.

HCC is particularly keen to ensure that patient experience measures are included as key indicators alongside some of the measures the track the way someone makes their way through the system and how quickly that happens. We’re also pushing for mechanisms to be put in place to track how any new approaches to providing care are impacting on health outcomes and patient safety.

Opportunities for consumers to be involved in this work

We held a community conversation in February 2023 on this topic with the Department of Health team so that consumer, carer, community and lived experience representatives could find out more about the work that is planned as part of this program.

We heard from Dr Shelley Campos, Clinical Lead for the program, and Hannah Moss, Program Manager.

Picture of Shelley Campos, Clinical Lead, Emergency Access Reform program and Hannah Moss, Program Manager

For more information about this project, email kieran.bindahneem@hconc.org.au

[Last updated 05/04/23]

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