Government online - the challenges for consumers
Helen Hopkins, Consumers' Health Forum of Australia, 20 April 2005
Consumers' Health Forum of Australia
- Vision: Consumers shaping health in Australia
- Mission: To provide an informed and respected voice on national health issues
National peak health consumer organisation, established 1987 (Federal government and project funding).
CHF is membership-based
~ 80 voting member organisations representing nearly one million people
Population - older people, women, culturally diverse groups
Illness, self-help - diabetes, asthma, arthritis, HIV/AIDS
Health interest - State, community groups
CHF members: frequent users of the health system
- Australians with direct experience of the health system
- Communicate complex health policy issues
- Get consumer feedback on proposed changes from experienced users
- Across health interests, not limited to priority areas
Representing consumers on national health issues
- Submissions, reports, verbal input
- Discussion papers, government initiatives, strategic directions
- Consumer representatives program
- Partners in research
- Publications and media
CHF consumer representatives program
- More than 100 consumer representatives, about 200 national health-related committees.
- Gather consumers' views, present how they feel and think about certain issues, contribute their experiences.
- Protect the interests of consumers, ensure their concerns are recognised.
- Feedback to consumers, remain accountable to the consumer group.
Knowing what to say
- Communications with members
- Monthly newsletter, website
- The Australian health consumer
- Policy briefings and consultation papers
- Project work with members and other consumers
- National workshops
- Participating in members meetings
- Community workshops
Develop and share the consumer knowledge base, CHF strategic plan 2005-09.
CHF community quality use of medicines (QUM) project*
Aim: To support consumer engagement, participation, consultation and capacity building within the NPS community QUM program by:
- working collaboratively with NPS community QUM program staff and management committee
- working with CHF members and other community organisations to enable their participation and engagement in Community QUM
*Funded by the National Prescribing Service
CHF electronic health records project*
Consumers' objectives:
- Improve health outcomes by empowering consumers
- Improve access to services, encourage participation, reduce disadvantage
*Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.
CHF research project 2004*
- Model framework based on the CHF / NHMRC Statement on consumer and community participation in health and medical research
- Two pilot sites - recognised research centres
- Partnerships, information about research and resources for participation
*Funded by the NHMRC
Internet health information for consumers*
- Value timely, convenient access, informing themselves about health options
- Concerned about information overload, judging reliability
- Recognise non-users and new users
- Practical information: entitlements, benefits, health services, resources, inclusive scope
*Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing
Further information
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