The newsletter of the Health Care Consumers’ Association Inc.
 Issue 16 / 27 August 2026

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review of our governance policies and procedures, an evaluation of the EC performance and assessment of the working relationship between the EC and the ED. The final report was endorsed by the EC in July 2026.

The findings from the review are largely positive in terms of our documentation, oversight, financial and strategic management processes and procedures, but there were some areas that have been identified for some refinement and improvement.

Some of the areas highlighted for future work include:

• Strengthening the Corporate Governance Framework
• Seeking ways to improve members’ understanding of and engagement with governance of HCCA
• Succession planning
• EC evaluation and development

The EC will be working with the ED to progress this work over the next 12 months. I want to reassure you that, in the interim, HCCA remains in a strong position in terms of its governance arrangements. The proposed refinements are primarily to make our principles and responsibilities a bit more specific and transparent for our members and stakeholders, and for those who think they might be interested in contributing to the organisation at this level.

Succession Planning

One of the more urgent areas of concern in the governance review is succession planning for membership of the EC.  Finding people who are willing and able to take on a governance role in a community organisation is often challenging.  The consultant has provided some options for us to consider in the future but, in the short term, we have an immediate need to recruit two new members for the EC at the end of this year.

The role of the Executive Committee is to: 

1. set the strategic and policy framework for HCCA 
2. ensure the financial viability of HCCA 
3. ensure compliance with all legislative and statutory duties and obligations and the terms and conditions in contractual arrangements and/or funding/service agreements
4. appoint and provide support to the Executive Director
5. provide guidance and approval in relation to strategic decisions

This year we are looking for 2 new members for the EC – including a new President, since this is my final year as President.

Could you be our next President? Or could you join the EC as an ordinary member?

Membership on the EC offers a unique opportunity for members to contribute to the organisation in a truly meaningful way.

The most important requirement of a role on the EC is a commitment to HCCA and its principles. There is no requirement for formal qualifications or experience in board representation. Members come from a range of backgrounds and life experiences. Some have previous board experience, some don’t. What is important is that the board reflects a range of life experiences and skills.

So please don’t be put off considering an EC role because you are concerned about what you might be able to bring to the table. We offer a comprehensive induction package and ongoing board training and support to help new members to settle into the role.

We will be calling for nominations for the EC shortly, ahead of the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Nominations need to be finalised 21 days before the AGM. The final date for nominations is October 29. 

If you think you might be interested in nominating but would like to find out a bit more before deciding, I would be happy to meet for an obligation free chat any time.  I can be contacted through the office and would love to hear from you.

Linda Trompf
President

In this Issue

• Upcoming HCCA events
• Infrastructure Update
• Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) Update
• Consumer Representation and Advocacy Opportunities
• Members Spotlight
• Items of Interest

Upcoming HCCA Events

Wednesday 26 August, 10:00am – 12:30pm @ Southern Cross Club Woden

Come along to Palliative Care ACT and HCCA’s morning tea for Dying to Know Day 2026! This is a relaxed opportunity to hear from experts and ask questions about topics like palliative care, Advance Care Planning, aged care, community support and respite, death doulas, and more.

3rd Tuesday of the month, 12:30pm-6pm @ Chifley Health & Wellbeing Hub

Making an Advance Care Plan means your loved ones and health care team will know your wishes if you can't speak for yourself. Book in for 1-on-1 support to write your plan with Canberra Health Services.

Consumer Representative training is now open for registrations. All are welcome to attend this free online training!

This training is designed for anyone who uses health services (in the ACT and outer state). Learn how the health system works, build your advocacy skills, and advocate for improvements within the system. This free three-part online training will be held via Zoom on 8, 15 and 22 September from 4pm to 6pm.

Join HCCA ahead of World Patient Safety Day for a discussion on safe use of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care services. We’ll be asking experts how AI is being used in health care in the ACT/Australia, how it is regulated and what can make it safer.

Consumer Participation Update

Infrastructure Update

HCCA members have received an email invitation to participate in a survey about consumer-centred design in Building 5, Canberra Hospital. If you have visited or stayed in Building 5 in the last two years, we encourage you to share your feedback.  

The survey takes 5–15 minutes to complete and is open until 27 August. Your feedback will help inform future health infrastructure projects, including the planning and design of the new Northside Hospital.

— the Infrastructure Officer
(Bernadette)

Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) Update

All our QUM Grant #2 topics are underway at various stages of development:

• Antidepressants in teens and young people topic resources include:
  • Fact sheets for young people and parents/carers
  • Toolkits for Youth Support Workers & School-based Youth Support Roles
• Menopause resources developed to date include:
  • information on applying Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) 
  • the latest evidence on testosterone  
  • a resource on MHT and breast cancer to support decision making 
  • menopause decision aid – Managing menopause: choosing what works for you
• Stroke (secondary prevention) – resources under development
• Osteoporosis (secondary fracture prevention) – research and design phase almost complete! Resource development to begin soon.

The HCCA QUM Hub website is where you can find all the resources we have produced so far through the QUM Project, including resources from Grant #1 topics. Continue to keep a look out for new QUM resources as they are released!

— the QUM team
(Kathryn, Nadia and Darcy)

Consumer Representation and Advocacy Opportunities

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

HCCA Internal Opportunities

The Consumer Participation Committee (CPC) is an internal HCCA committee of experienced consumer representatives. Its purpose is to advise and oversee the consumer participation work of HCCA, including the Consumer Representatives’ Program.

The CPC is seeking up to two new members. The committee meets monthly (currently on Mondays) for an hour. If you are an active consumer representative (and HCCA member) with a good understanding of this role, and have a little time to spare, please consider submitting an expression of interest to join the CPC.

If this is of interest to you, please contact Av De Vries through [email protected] and he can discuss the opportunity with you and provide guidance on your Expression of Interest.

Please note this opportunity is not reimbursed.

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

Other Opportunities

Monash University researchers are recruiting family of adults older than 65 years of age to take part in a research study. It will involve attending one educational workshop to learn about two digital resources and completing surveys before and after the session to measure how open participants are to using these resources.

Participation includes attending one workshop in August or September, completing two surveys and taking part in an interview. Participants will receive a $50 e-gift card.

You can view the explanatory statement on HCCA website.

To express your interest, please fill out this Google form and direct any questions to Caitlin at [email protected]

Framework Development for Standardised Goals of Care (GOC) Setting in the Critically Ill is a national research study helping doctors and nurses have better, more compassionate conversations with critically ill patients and their families.

The study is seeking former ICU patients and their families to participate, which will involve filling in three surveys over six months. Each survey takes a maximum of 30 minutes. Participants will be reimbursed.

Download the participant information statement.

Please direct expressions of interest and any questions to Dr Claire Michel at [email protected]

Members Spotlight

Through Lung Life, she has been involved in several co-design projects aimed at improving support for people living with chronic lung conditions, particularly those experiencing breathlessness.

"People can do so much to improve their quality of life if they have the right information and support."

Marina became an individual member of HCCA two years ago after being involved in the Chronic Conditions Network through Lung Life, which has been an organisational member of HCCA for many years. The Chronic Conditions Network, created by HCCA in 2023, helps organisations work together on advocacy for people living with chronic conditions. She values the opportunity to work alongside other consumer advocates to improve health services.

"HCCA does brilliant work in trying to create changes in the health system. Consumer voices help point the system towards what matters most to patients and carers", she says.

While she admits advocacy can be slow and frustrating, Marina remains committed to driving change.

"When groups such as the Chronic Conditions Network work together, we have a much stronger voice. That's how real change happens."

Items of Interest

Join Services Australia and COTA Australia for a free webinar ‘Learn the Signs and Protect Yourself’ on 24 August from 12pm to 1pm AEST. Learn how to identify common scam tactics, understand the warning signs, and know what to do if you or someone you know is targeted.

For more information and to register, please visit COTA Australia’s website.

Health Consumers NSW is hosting a free webinar on ‘thinking critically about using ChatGPT for health advice’, on Friday 28^th of August, 12pm – 1pm. Join Dr Julie Ayre from The University of Sydney and a health consumer, who will provide a practical introduction to how generative AI works, explaining how these tools generate responses and why mistakes can occur.

For more information and to register, please visit Health Consumers NSW website.

This fund supports people living with disability in the Canberra region to build leadership, strengthen participation, and pursue opportunities that create change in their communities. The fund honours the legacy of the late Sue Salthouse and recognises her hard work championing inclusion and leadership opportunities for people with disability, focusing specifically on women and girls.

Applications and full details are available at Sue Salthouse Leadership Fund scholarship grant round 2026. The deadline to apply is 9 September.

The ACT Safety and Quality in Health Care Awards recognise individuals, teams, and organisations that do great work to improve safety and quality in health care across the ACT. The 2026 Awards will be presented on Thursday, 17 September 2026 as part of World Patient Safety Day celebrations.

You can register to attend the awards and walk for patient safety on the same day. For more information and to register, please visit the ACT Government website.

Daffodil Day is held every year on 20 August. It is a day that brings Australians together to reflect, remember, and show support for people affected by cancer. For 40 years, Daffodil Day has raised funds for cancer research, helping improve outcomes for people with cancer and growing hope in the community. This year marks the 40th anniversary of this important campaign.

Learn more by visiting the Daffodil Day website.

Wear It Purple Day is celebrated each year on 28 August to support LGBTQIA+SB young people and promote safe, inclusive and supportive communities. This year's theme, Colours of Courage, recognises the many ways LGBTQIA+SB young people, allies and communities show courage every day. Founded in 2010, Wear It Purple encourages everyone to stand against discrimination and help all young people feel safe, supported and proud of who they are.

Learn more by visiting the Wear It Purple website.

Give us Your Feedback

What did you think of this issue? Give us your feedback through this linked microsoft form.

Would you like to chat about any of these things? Please email us at [email protected] for your feedback. We would love to hear from you!

**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.

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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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