The newsletter of the Health Care Consumers’ Association Inc.
Volume 18/ Issue 18 / 26 September 2025

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An Issues Brief has been released by the Deeble Institute (AHHA) that will be of interest to HCCA members. It is called Measuring what really matters for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples – racism and cultural safety in healthcare.

Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander friends and colleagues have spoken with us about the increase in institutional racism within Australian hospitals and health services. This has a significant impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as individuals, families and across communities. People will not access services if we do not feel safe and welcome. Cultural Safety is part of consumer centred care. It is not an add-on, it is a core aspect of the delivery of safe and responsive health care. I can recommend reading this and in your consumer representation roles think about how First Nationals perspectives are included in the work of your committees.

The ACT Inquiry into health system data, demand and processes has been announced, following a motion by the ACT Legislative Assembly. The Minister has appointed Michael Walsh PSM to chair the Inquiry. The Inquiry will seek to provide independent advice and recommendations to Government on strengthening health data availability, implementing Digital Health Records, addressing drivers of demand, and improving health workforce recruitment, retention and morale. There is a Media Release online. We are looking forward to meeting with Mr Walsh to discuss consumer priorities. I am a member of the Health Systems Council and Mr Walsh will be speaking with us this week in our next meeting.

After 18 years in the role I have decided to step down in January. It is time to pass the baton to another person. I have growing family commitments that I need time to honour. As many people in my age group know well, it is hard to manage it all. I have also taken on the role of Chair of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Oversight Board and I want to have the time and headspace to give to this important work.

I will continue my involvement with HCCA and the broader consumer movement, after all I have been involved with HCCA for over 25 years and there is still work to do to make our health services more consumer centred.

The Executive Committee has started the work to find the next Executive Director and they are planning to advertise for this position in early October. We will keep you updated as things develop.

Darlene Cox
Executive Director

On Friday 5 September, Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith officially opened the new Yamba Drive Entrance to the Canberra Hospital. This entrance replaces the old emergency department with:

• A large outdoor courtyard with high set entrance roof and green spaces
• A dedicated public bus stop connecting directly to Canberra’s public transport network (including the R6 rapid buses)
• A new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lounge and Courtyard, featuring a yarning circle and culturally safe spaces
• A new Veterans’ Lounge and Garden for rest and reflection
• Upgraded wayfinding, accessible amenities, sculptures and public art installations.

“These new spaces are much more than a facelift. They support respect, dignity and wellbeing for all members of our community while delivering high standards of amenity and care,” Minister Stephen- Smith said.

HCCA members and the ACT Disability Reference Group have advocated strongly for improved public transport to Canberra Hospital since the closure of Hospital Road. This new entrance gives consumers safe level access directly into the refurbished Building 2 foyer. We hope this will make it easier for consumers to attend their appointments at the hospital and promote public transport as an option to help with the parking and traffic on campus.

HCCA member Kerry Snell and Health Literacy Officer, C Moore, were at the launch, as were many familiar faces from the veterans community, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and disability communities.

Caption: Front Row L-R: (All former DRG members) Alarna Moscaritolo, C Moore, Erica Lyons (behind C), Kerry Snell, Renee Heaton (sitting), Patrice Soward (standing, in grey), and Minister Stephen Smith stand at the new accessible bus stop at the Yamba Drive Entrance.

Canberra Health Services have updated their phone system, which means they are now using a new phone number for the main hospital. 

The new phone number is 5103 6111.

You can start using the new number straight away. Calls to the old number will still be redirected until the end of the year.

If you regularly contact North Canberra Hospital, please update your records and saved contact details.

Is there a member that you think has made an outstanding contribution to HCCA over the years?

Life membership recognises and celebrates members who have made a significant contribution to the work of HCCA.

A life member must:

1. have made a contribution to HCCA’s work that can be considered outstanding and over and above what might be reasonably expected from employment or voluntary involvement in the organisation,
2. have contributed in this way for ten (10) years or more,
3. be a current member,
4. not be a current employee of HCCA.

If you would like to nominate someone for life membership, you can find the online nomination form at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/bagaeMcVzq

You can also use a paper version of the form if you prefer. We are happy to email you a form to print, complete, and send back. Please contact us at [email protected] or on 02 6230 7800 for a copy of the form.

Nominations close at 4.00pm on Friday 10 October 2025.

New life members will be announced at the Annual General Meeting on 12 November 2025.

In this Issue

• Upcoming HCCA Events
• Policy and Research Update
• Health Literacy Update
• Health Literacy - QUM Update
• Chronic Conditions Network Update
• Consumer Involvement and Representative Opportunities
• Items of Interest

Upcoming HCCA Events

Friday 10 October, 12pm – 2pm

In person at Northside Community Services, 2 Rosevear Place Dickson

Do you have concerns about a child’s development? It can be hard to know what to do, where to go to get advice and help when a child has developmental differences. Join us to hear from speakers on this topic from services across the public, private and community sector about the pathways they offer for child development challenges. This event is for parents, carers, educators and anyone involved in care and support of young children, professionally or personally

Monday 20 October, 10:30am – 12pm

Online via Zoom

Join us to talk about your rights in health care, hospital standards, tips to prepare for a hospital stay, risks and ways to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

Thursday, 12-2pm: 16th, 23rd and 30th 

This free online training is designed for people who would like to learn more about the ways that community members can participate in speaking up for change and improvement in our health system, and how to be an effective advocate. Participants will learn some foundational knowledge about consumer advocacy in health care, and will learn what consumer representation is. Completion of this course is required to nominate for consumer representation opportunities with HCCA.

Policy and Research Update

This fortnight, HCCA were invited to join a panel hosted by ACT Branch of the Australian Institute of Digital Health as part of their regular event series.

The theme of the panel session was focused on how health data is collected, structured and used to drive healthcare.

Shivana joined the panel to bring a consumer perspective to the discussion on how data can support access to safer and more person-centred healthcare.

Caption Left to Right: Shivana Chandra (HCCA), Ryan Mavin (Australian Digital Health Agency), Vicki Bennett (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare), Monica Rayson (Digital Canberra).

— the Policy and Research team
(Jess, Stephen, and Shivana)

The Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (Ahpra) has drafted guidance on sexual misconduct and the National Law regulating health practitioners.

Registered health practitioners who have engaged in professional misconduct involving sexual misconduct will have additional information about that conduct permanently recorded on the national register.

The draft guidance provides a set of principles and examples of sexual misconduct in the absence of a statutory definition. Sexual conduct is not limited to physical acts.

If you would like to see the draft guidance and provide input please contact Jessica Lamb on email [email protected] or phone (02 6230 7800) by Monday 29 September 2025.

Canberra Health Services (CHS) is seeking feedback on the above Procedure.

The Procedure outlines the strategies that can be put in place with adults with severe behaviour disturbance. The Procedure outlines the multiple causes of behavioural disturbance, assessment tools to identify risks and strategies for early intervention and risk minimisation to consumers and staff of violent behaviours.

If you would like to see a copy of the Procedure and/or provide input contact Stephen Lawton via email [email protected] or phone (02 6230 7800) by Monday 13 October 2025.

The Pharmacy Board of Australia is seeking community feedback on new draft guidelines for pharmacists. These guidelines focus on the safe delivery of medicines and advice to the public.

You can learn more about the consultation here: Public Consultation Information Pack

If you would like to contribute your feedback to HCCA’s submission the Pharmacy Board, please contact Jessica Lamb via email ([email protected]) or phone (02 6230 7800) by Friday 3 October 2025.

The ACT Health and Community Services Directorate is seeking community feedback on proposed changes to the ACT’s controlled medicines legislation.

Key topics include:

• Which medicines should be covered by a new Chief Health Officer standing approval
• Mandatory use of Canberra Script before prescribing controlled medicines

You are invited to complete a survey between now and 15 October 2025.
 (Note: This survey does not cover GP-ADHD prescribing.)

All responses are confidential. The survey takes up to 30 minutes.

If you'd prefer to discuss the proposed changes and contribute your feedback to HCCA’s response, please contact Stephen Lawton via email  ([email protected] ) or phone (02 6230 7800) by Wednesday 8 October 2025.

Canberra Health Services (CHS) is seeking feedback on its Home Visiting Procedure (“the Procedure”).

The Procedure provides CHS Network staff with guidance on the safe delivery of health services in consumers’ homes. Home visiting aims to improve access to care and reduce reliance on urgent care clinics, emergency departments, or acute services.

The Procedure assists in identifying, assessing, eliminating, or effectively mitigating risks and hazards associated with working in consumers’ homes so that best practices of care and treatment are maintained.

If you would like a copy of the Procedure and/or provide input please contact Shivana Chandra on email ([email protected]) or phone (02 6230 7800) by Monday 13 October 2025.

Canberra Health Services (CHS) is seeking feedback on its Policy Document and Review Procedure (“the Procedure”).

The Procedure outlines CHS’s policy governance processes that ensure it has current, comprehensive and effective policy documents. These processes included new policies and existing policies, communication, implementation and evaluation, including the need to consult with consumer organisations.

If you would like a copy of the Procedure and/or provide input please contact Stephen Lawton or Jessica Lamb on email ([email protected], [email protected]) or phone them (02 6230 7800) by Thursday 16 October 2025.

The Australian Government have developed a Draft National Strategy to guide the future of health and medical research and innovation, strengthen coordination and impact, and improve health outcomes across the country.

The purpose of the National Strategy is to deliver:

• a plan to strengthen and build Australia's research capability
• better health outcomes from a productive and efficient research ecosystem.

If you'd prefer to discuss your thoughts and contribute your feedback to HCCA’s response, please contact Shivana Chandra via email ([email protected]) or phone (02 6230 7800) by Tuesday 30 September 2025.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is seeking feedback on the experiences, observations, and knowledge on the use of medicinal cannabis products that are not approved.

Medicinal cannabis is becoming an important option for managing symptoms of long-term health conditions and side effects of some treatments. The use of unapproved medicinal cannabis products has increased quickly in Australia. This has raised concerns around the safety and quality of products.

The feedback will help guide new regulations that make sure products meet safety and quality standards, and remain accessible for consumers.

(The TGA will accept individual submissions made in confidence. You can choose how much of your submission is published, if any)

If you'd prefer to discuss your experiences and insights and contribute your feedback to HCCA’s response, please contact Shivana Chandra via email  ([email protected]) or phone (02 6230 7800) by Tuesday 30 September 2025.

Health Literacy Update

This fortnight, Ivapene presented Navigating the Health System to:

• Arabic speaking community organised through Vinnies Migrant and Refugee Program, Multicultural Hub Canberra and Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services. The session was presented using an interpreter and was well attended with positive feedback from participants and organisers. Another session is planned for Persian speakers next month.
• Multicultural Women’s Art Group. The session was well received and participants appreciated learning about health services they did not know about. For example, detailed services Pharmacy and Walk-in Centres offer, and learning about the National Home Doctor Service and HealthDirect.

C is off to the Advance Care Planning International conference on the Gold Coast this week, while Ivapene and the rest of the team are heading to the COTA Seniors Expo today.

C is taking bookings to present to community groups for the rest of the year – if you’ve got a social club, community meeting or seniors group that wants to talk about health care, get in touch!

— the Health Literacy team
(C and Ivapene)

The University of Sydney are looking for families and support people (paid or unpaid and who live anywhere in Australia) who support a person with intellectual disability who is eligible for cervical screening (any person with a cervix aged 25-74 years).

The family member or support person will receive and evaluate accessible online information about cervical screening for people with intellectual disability and their supporters

Or contact the team via email: [email protected]

Health Literacy - QUM Update

HCCA is partnering with the Sydney Health Literacy Lab to evaluate consumer resources from our QUM programs for our topics on antidepressants in older people and oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation. You can find all the resources for these topics on the QUM website, using the links below:

• Antidepressants in Older People
• Oral Anticoagulants for Atrial Fibrillation

If you have looked at or used any of these resources, we would love your feedback! Your input will help us understand how useful these resources are to consumers and carers.

Each survey is anonymous and takes about 5 minutes to complete. Find the links to each survey below:

Chronic Conditions Network Update

For the first time ever the ‘Chronic Conditions Network’ is collaborating on a stall at the COTA Seniors Expo! Chronic Conditions Network Coordinator, Michelle Cullen, will be hosting a shared table with Cancer Council, Dementia Australia, Leo’s Place (Palliative Care ACT), Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Veterans Association ACT, RSI and Overuse Injury Association and CHS Liaison and Navigation Service. We are looking forward to seeing many of you at the expo and presenting our services in chronic health management support.

— Michelle
(Chronic Conditions Network Coordinator)

Consumer Involvement and Representative Opportunities

Please visit Consumer Opportunities on the HCCA website to learn more about, and nominate for, any of the following opportunities.

Closing date: 15th of October

Monash University are conducting a research study to understand how people with workplace injuries use and experience GP services for both workplace injuries and non-work-related health conditions. The research study aims to understand what was helpful and what was not and suggest changes to improve outcomes for workers.

This would suit a consumer who has a current workers’ compensation claim or has made a workers’ compensation claim for musculoskeletal injuries in the last five years. Involvement will include one 45-60 minute online zoom interview in late October.

This opportunity is not reimbursed and participation is entirely confidential and voluntary.

Read more about this opportunity in the participation information sheet here.

To get involved please email Preeti Maharjan at [email protected]

To learn more, please visit the Consumer Opportunities page on our website.

Items of Interest

The Spring 2025 Edition of the Canberra Disability Review takes readers to the heart of three significant issues that will have an impact on our collective future:

• the upcoming rollout of Voluntary Assisted Dying in the ACT;
• the federal government’s “Thriving Kids” reform of the NDIS and the rights, gender, and economic costs behind the political spin;
• and the global crossroads we face with artificial intelligence and the question of whether it will entrench bias or become a force for inclusion.

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing welcomes your feedback on the draft framework for a new National Oral Health Plan.

They hope to put together a plan for the next ten years that clearly sets out Australia’s priorities for oral health.

The survey closes on 26 September 2025 at 11:59 pm.

If you would like further information or have questions about this survey, please contact the Oral Health team via email at [email protected].

There are two parts to this research:

Part 1 – participating in the 15-minute online survey

Survey link : https://rnsapmredcap.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/redcap/surveys/

Passcode: P3DRPTFNL

Part 2 – optional participation in a one hour interview or focus group to discuss your experience.

If you have any questions or wish to learn more, please contact [email protected]

Capital Health Network (CHN), ACT's Primary Health Network relies on local community knowledge to understand the health and health-related issues facing Canberrans.

Developing new relationships with Canberra’s community groups and organisations will help CHN to better understand the services people need most. CHN is interested to know whether your health needs are not met because of where you live, a disability or chronic health condition, your culture or heritage, your gender identification or sexual orientation, your age – or for any other reason.

CHN would like to connect with people and organisations who offer support or advice to Canberrans who face hardship, disadvantage or can’t always get the care they need, so that they can better design and deliver accessible and effective primary health services for all Canberrans.

**FREE interpreter services available over the phone via the Australian Government’s Translation and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450**

© 2025 Health Care Consumers' Association Inc, All rights reserved. Edited by Darlene Cox.

Our mailing address is:
70 Maclaurin Crescent Chifley ACT 2606
02 6230 7800

Consumer Bites is the newsletter of the Health Care Consumers' Association. Consumer Bites provides a small snippet of health related articles our members might find interesting to consider and analyse. The HCCA does not endorse any opinions or the claims contained within the articles.

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