The newsletter of the Health Care Consumers’ Association Inc.
 Issue 02 / 15 February 2026

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A big thank you to Darlene, the board and the team for welcoming me to the organisation. Darlene and I were able to have a two-week handover and on-boarding period which has been very valuable for me coming into the Executive Director role.

Last week on Thursday we had a thank you morning tea for Darlene, which was dubbed “Changing of the Guard”. This gave me the opportunity to meet with staff and the Executive Committee. It is clear to me that this is an organisation that has a wonderful culture with a strong and engaged membership.

Caption L to R:

Back Row: Av, Keith Willenberg, Tony Krizan.

Middle Row: Kathryn, Kate, Lachlan, Shivana, Evie, C, Stephen, Ravi Krishnamurthy.

Front Row: Jess, Karin Calford, Linda Trompf, Miriam Pavic, Darlene Cox, Emma Baldock.  

The Executive Director role is a big role with many moving parts and priorities, there is a lot for me to learn. Darlene has handed over an organisation that is in a fantastic position, which I feel exceedingly privileged to have this amazing opportunity. Whilst 2026 will be a year of change, the priorities of the organisation will continue to be same with a strong and considered focus on consumer perspectives to inform our advocacy. Your continued sharing around experiences of care with HCCA are important to help inform our advocacy.

Key areas of focus for 2026 will include:

• improving access to outpatient health services
• advocacy on improving care of older people in health services
• implementing the Disability Health Strategy to improve access to and experience of care for people with disabilities.
• responding to climate emergencies by changing the way care is delivered to reduce carbon emissions and waste
• improving communication with consumers and their families from multicultural communities 

The implementation of Voluntary Assisted Dying in the ACT and quality and safety around maternity services continue to be key areas where HCCA will need focused engagement and consultation from our membership and networks this year.

I am looking forward to supporting and leading the team in continuing the important work of HCCA into the future and ensuring that we all continue to strive for a better health system that places consumer voice at the centre of care.

Lachlan Atyeo
Executive Director

At The first Members Forum of 2026, HCCA presented Louise Bannister her Honorary Life Membership which was unanimously endorsed by the EC in October 2025.

An Honorary HCCA Life Membership is a rare award given to HCCA members who have made an outstanding and significant contribution to the organisation over a long period of time, generally 10 years or more.

Lou has been a much-loved and consistent advocate with HCCA for over 18 years, advocating for equitable access to health care as both an HCCA member and a community advocate for women with disability in the ACT.

She is an active member and contributes across the organisation. Lou is always open to sharing her skills and experience with others and is generous in supporting other consumer reps.

In addition to her many consumer representative roles, Lou was a staff member for a short time, a member of the Executive Committee, and she continues to contribute to the work of operational committees and consumer reference groups.

Lou’s contribution has had a lasting impact on HCCA and the wider community and we are thrilled to recognise her in this way.

Caption L to R: Darlene Cox, Lou Bannister, Kerry Snell, C 

In this Issue

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

Upcoming HCCA Events

Thursday March 12th, 19th & 26th, 4-6pm (all sessions to complete)

Online via Zoom

This training is for anyone who uses health services and would like to learn more about the health system, consumer representation and how to advocate for improvements within the system.

Any questions please contact Av at [email protected].

Thursday 19 March, 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Brindabella Room, Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong

We’re partnering with Palliative Care ACT for our Advance Care Planning Week Afternoon Tea! Come along to learn about planning for health and aged care, palliative care, cancer support and much more!

Health Literacy Update

We hope to see you at the Multicultural Festival this weekend! We’ll be there from 10am-5pm on Sunday 8 February at Stall F20-21 near the Glebe Park South Stage. Find maps and the festival program on the Multicultural Festival website.

— the Health Literacy team
(C and Ivapene)

Delirium is a sudden change in the way someone thinks and behaves for a short period of time. It happens in about 20% of hospital stays for people over 65 years old - but it can be hard to spot unless you know the person well.

This video talks about how family and friends can use the PREDICT toolkit to spot signs of delirium and partner with health care staff to prevent and manage it.

The AHRC released a report on 5 November titled ‘The age barrier: Older adults’ experiences of ageism in health care’.  It invites readers to listen and reflect on how our systems, particularly health care, can better uphold the principles of equity and respect within Australia.

Health Literacy - QUM Update

The team has been working hard on the QUM Grant #2 topics, and we are excited to share the first resource for our antidepressants in young people topic.

Minding your mental wellbeing is a guide for young people who may be feeling out of balance or overwhelmed. It provides advice to help you notice changes in mental health and consider what support is available and may help.

Click here to find this resource.

You can also explore our resource for older people, Depression and anxiety: getting back to feeling well, which supports older people to have conversations with their healthcare professional about treatment options.

Click here to find this resource

Chronic Conditions Network Update

I would like to highlight an excellent program offered by Canberra Health Service’s Community Care team called the ‘Take Control Live Well’ program. It’s a FREE weekly group program (that goes for 3-weeks) for adults in the ACT who have a chronic condition. It helps you find ways to reach your health goals and manage your condition. Connect with others in a safe and welcoming space.

You will learn how to:

• get the best out of your health appointments.
• look after your mental and physical health.
• find reliable health information.
• set and achieve your health goals.
• find local support services.

Chelsea and the Community Care Team at CHS have one of these courses coming up soon! Upcoming program details:

• Phillip Community Health Centre on Tuesday 10 February 2026 at 9:30am.
• Belconnen Community Health Centre on Tuesday 17 March 2026 at 9:30am.
• Online on Wednesday 15 April 2026 at 4:30pm.

Book via the MyDHR app or call Central Health Intake on (02) 5124 9977.

 For more information, flyers or posters, email [email protected] or go to the CHS website, Take Control - Live Well Program - Canberra Health Services

— 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.

 New!  

The CHS Occupational Violence Working Group will assist in the provision of clear direction and oversight of Occupational Violence prevention and management to all CHS staff, students, volunteers, contractors and consumers with a focus on review of occupational violence incidents and the reporting, response and review of strategies aimed to reduce this within Canberra Health Services.

For full information, please visit the Consumer Opportunities page on our website.

 New! 

The Australian National University (ANU) Quality Experience and Safety in Telehealth (QuEST) is studying quality in telehealth primary care. The findings of this study will help policy-makers to understand what factors contribute to quality and safety in telehealth for consumers.

They are looking for people aged 40-65 to take part in this study. You do not need any experience to take part. The study will not ask for personal information.

How can you get involved?

• Attend a 30-minute simulated telehealth consultation at ANU
• Complete a follow-up survey a few days later.

Participants will receive a $50 Prezzee voucher for completing the study.

You can learn more about the study and sign up at tinyurl.com/QuestANU

For more information, please contact Dr. Mary Jiang at [email protected]

Items of Interest

As the ACT has experienced recent high temperatures, the ACT Health and Community Services Directorate has released a webpage to keep the community informed about signs and symptoms of heat-related illness, tips to beat the heat, treatment, and where to get help.

Please click to read.

Roses in the Ocean's is a suicide prevention organisation which exists to save lives and reduce emotional distress and pain. Roses in the Ocean has a ‘Peer CARE Companion in Community' program which provides trained and supported volunteers to assist community members affected by suicide or attempted suicide, by providing ‘light touch’ peer support and connection.

We invite members of the Canberra, ACT community with lived experience of suicide, as well as community stakeholders, to participate in a Community Consultation to inform how Peer CARE Companion in Community can best meet the needs of the Canberra community.

Friday the 13^th of February at Meridian (85 Northbourne Avenue, Turner ACT 2612)

Community members with lived experience of Suicide: 9:30am-12:30am

Stakeholders and Organisations: 1:30pm-4:30pm

To register please fill out the consultation form.

For more information please contact Lloyd

Phone: 1300 411 461 ext. 229
Email: [email protected]

Thee program will be running fortnightly sessions;

• In-person: starting 26 March 2026, running for 6 months
• Online: starting July 2026, running for 3 months

Located at Salthouse Community Centre in Braddon or Online.

You can get in touch with AFI via email on [email protected], via phone on 02 6257 4005 or complete the online registration form here: Registration form.

This course is delivered over six, two hour online sessions.

Online Course Dates:

•        9th, 16th & 23rd of February and 2nd, 16th & 23rd of March 5-7pm 

For more information and to register go to the Mental Health Consumer Network website.

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

© 2026 Health Care Consumers' Association Inc, All rights reserved. Edited by Lachlan Atyeo.

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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