Consumer Reference Group sets a new standard
We’re pleased to see the Canberra Hospital Expansion Consumer Group being recognised in this Canberra Daily news article. The group has done great advocacy work, and input from group members has led to many consumer-led design elements in the new Critical Services Building. These features will make hospital stays more comfortable for patients, carers, and visitors.
This advocacy doesn’t just make our local hospital better – ten of these elements are being added as standard requirements in the Australasian Healthcare Facility Guidelines. These include dedicated consumer power points and dimmable lighting in patient rooms, family lounges, and more accessible reception desks. All health infrastructure projects in Australia and New Zealand must follow these guidelines, so this is a big win. It is great to see the hard work of the group continue beyond this project!
You can read more about the way consumer involvement has shaped the expansion project here: Consumer groups – Canberra Hospital Expansion.
|
|
— Darcy Whitmore
Infrastructure Project Officer
|
|
Policy and Research Update
|
|
ACT Legislative Assembly into Climate Change and a Just Transition
The ACT Government is holding an inquiry into how the ACT can make a just transition to ensure that all Canberrans get the benefits of climate action.
The Terms of Reference for the Inquiry cover a lot of topics. You can provide input directly by sending it to [email protected]. Direct input is due by Monday, 19 February.
HCCA is providing input to the Inquiry, looking at the health equity aspects of climate (in)action. If you want to provide input to HCCA’s submission, please get in touch with Stephen at [email protected] or on (02) 6230 7800 by Monday, 5 February.
|
|
Review of Canberra Health Services’ Information Privacy Policy
Canberra Health Services has recently reviewed its Information Privacy Policy and is looking for input from consumers.
If you would like to see a copy of the reviewed Information Privacy Policy and/or provide input into HCCA’s submission please contact Stephen at [email protected] or on (02) 6230 7800 by Thursday, 15 February.
|
|
— the Policy and Research team
(Jess, Stephen, and Shivana)
|
|
|
Welcome to 2024! The Health Literacy team has kicked off our year with a few exciting pieces of work we can’t wait to share with you. We have nearly finished some major updates to the consumer information on the Canberra Health Literacy Hub and some translated resources we hope to share with you in the coming weeks.
|
|
|
Earlier this month, Darcy, Pene, and C went on a walk-through at North Canberra Hospital to look at ways to improve how the hospital collects consumer feedback. It was great to be out at the campus in person and see some areas we haven’t visited before.
|
|
|
— the Health Literacy team
(C and Ivapene)
|
|
Updated Complaints Guide
We have updated our resource Take Action! A guide to health complaints and feedback in the ACT. The updates include information about the Code of Conduct for Health Care Workers that came into effect at the start of 2024. The biggest updates are in Factsheet 2: How to make a complaint about a health professional, including who the new Code of Conduct applies to.
Download the guide from our website.
|
|
World Cancer Day Online Talks
The Canberra Region Cancer Centre is hosting two online talks for consumers and health professionals for World Cancer Day 2024:
- Navigating the fear of cancer’s return – Tuesday 6 February, 12:30pm to 1:30pm
- Empowered choices: exploring the consumer’s role in cancer research and clinical trials – Thursday 8 February, 12:30pm to 1:30pm
You can register for the World Cancer Day Online Talks on Eventbrite.
|
|
Free Program for People with Chronic Conditions
Take Control – Live Well is a free 3-week program to help you find ways to manage your chronic health conditions. Sessions are once a week, online or in-person, and the program runs a few times each year. You can also choose to get 3 months of text message (SMS) support for up to 3 months after the program.
To see the dates and sign up, read the Take Control Live Well flyer or go to the Canberra Health Services website.
|
|
Consumer Involvement and Representative Opportunities
|
|
Consumer Opportunities
Please visit Consumer Opportunities on the HCCA website to learn more about, and nominate for, any of the following opportunities.
|
|
Closing soon! Closing date: Tuesday, 30 January 2024
North Canberra Hospital is looking for a consumer representative to join the Medication Safety Committee. This committee works to ensure a safe, effective, and efficient approach to the use of medications at North Canberra Hospital, for quality patient care.
To learn more, please visit the Consumer Opportunities page on our website.
|
|
Closing date: Tuesday, 6 February 2024
The ACT Health Directorate and Mental Health Community Coalition are looking for consumer representatives to join their Outcomes Advisory Panel.
The panel provides guidance and leadership to develop and implement a new mental health outcomes and performance framework for the ACT.
To learn more, please visit the Consumer Opportunities page on our website.
|
|
Closing date: Friday, 2 February 2024
Canberra Health Services (CHS) is looking for a consumer representative to join the Allied Health Directors Forum. The work of the Directors Forum is to a provide a space for leaders from different Allied Health professions at CHS to work together for operational and cross divisional integrated leadership.
To learn more, please visit the Consumer Opportunities page on our website.
|
|
Closing date: Tuesday, 13 February 2024
Canberra Health Services (CHS) is looking for a consumer representative to join the Allied Health Professional Leads Forum. The Professional Leads Forum is responsible for guiding profession specific input into the planning of CHS and the overall health system.
To learn more, please visit the Consumer Opportunities page on our website.
|
|
Closing date: Tuesday, 13 February 2024
Canberra Health Services is looking for a consumer representative to join the Expanding Endoscopy Services PCG (Project Control Group). The PCG works to give an appropriate level of governance and guidance to the project team overseeing this infrastructure work.
To learn more, please visit the Consumer Opportunities page on our website.
|
|
Closing date: Tuesday, 13 February 2024
Canberra Health Services is looking for a consumer representative to join the Bariatric Surgery Advisory Committee. The committee assesses and prioritises patients for publicly-funded metabolic bariatric surgery.
To learn more, please visit the Consumer Opportunities page on our website.
|
|
Closing date: Tuesday, 13 February 2024
Canberra Health Services is looking for a consumer representative to sit on the Women’s Health Service Nursing and Medical Service Steering Committee. This committee is a strategic forum to plan and decide the future approach to the Women’s Health Service Nursing and Medical model of care.
To learn more, please visit the Consumer Opportunities page on our website.
|
|
National/Interstate Opportunities
|
|
Closing date: Sunday, 18 February 2024 (11:55pm)
Do you want to contribute to decisions regarding patient safety and the responsibilities of health care professionals?
Ahpra (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) is looking for consumers to become committee members on one of 15 National Boards.
Information about eligibility, roles, and the application process is available on the Ahpra website here: National Boards – Community member. You can also download an Information Guide and Frequently Asked Questions document from this page.
|
|
Vaccine for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) now available for people aged over 60
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved Arexvy, a vaccine for protecting against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
RSV is very contagious and usually causes mild to moderate illness. Symptoms can include a runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, and aches. For young children and older people, RSV can cause more severe illness.
In babies and younger children, RSV generally causes a wheezing asthma-like illness (bronchiolitis), but can also cause pneumonia and croup. Older people are also more likely to develop severe illness and complications.
RSV has similar infection rates in older people to influenza (the flu), with 25,000 people aged 60 and over diagnosed with RSV in Australia last year. The National Immunisation Program currently provides free flu vaccines to adults 65 years and older.
The company that developed the Arexvy vaccine have applied to have it added to the National Immunisation Program.
To learn more:
|
|
Have you had experience with ACT crisis response services?
The ACT Community Services Directorate last year commissioned Social Ventures Australia (SVA) to conduct a review of the ACT domestic and family violence and sexual violence crisis response systems.
As part of this review, SVA are looking for people to interview who have experienced domestic and family violence or sexual violence and are willing to share some of their experience of the crisis response systems.
Participants will receive a voucher for $50 per hour in appreciation of their contribution to this research.
You can view the participant information and consent form online.
To register to take part, or to learn more, contact Mandy Ferguson at Social Ventures Australia: [email protected].
|
|
Public consultation for the review of chiropractic accreditation and competency standards
The Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia is the independent body responsible for ensuring competency and higher education standards in chiropractic in Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia.
They are currently reviewing these standards:
- Accreditation Standards for Chiropractic Programs
- Competency Standards for Chiropractors.
You can see the 2017 standards and consultation draft for the new standards here:
To give your feedback, you can complete the Council’s survey, or email through your submission (or any questions) to [email protected].
|
|
|
|
|
