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The newsletter of the Health Care Consumers’ Association Inc.
Volume 11 / Issue 06 / 12 June 2025

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Update from the Office
Closure of the Chifley Health and Wellbeing Centre

We were concerned to hear that the YMCA is closing the Chifley Health and Wellbeing Centre, especially considering its importance to older Australians, people with disabilities, and individuals with various chronic conditions in Canberra. Facilities like this play a crucial role in supporting the health and wellbeing of these parts of the community. We have heard from COTA, Advocacy for Inclusion, and concerned consumers, that the transition to close this gym seems rushed and has not met community expectations for allowing a fair and equitable transition.

We understand that both Canberra Health Services and NDIS were referring consumers to this service. There were accredited exercise physiologists employed by YMCA using specialised equipment at the gym to work specifically with people recovering from surgery, stroke and people needing mobility support.

A statement from the YMCA CEO Kirsty Dixon said the decision to close the gym was made because of a renewed strategic focus:

“Today, we have also made the important and carefully considered decision to close and exit from certain aspects of our Health and Recreation Business that unfortunately do not align with this new 2030 Strategy and our renewed focus on children and young people.”

Albert Oberdorf, who leads an action group of gym users, has this to say about the closure:

“We are horrified that the YMCA would make such a short term move that appears, whether intended or not, to be without regard to the enormous adverse impact it has on the wellbeing of the many aged/disabled Canberrans.”

Alison, a 64-year-old-Canberran, said:

"This year I was able to have some personal lessons from the trained exercise physiologists and was greatly surprised by the difference these made. It assisted in my being able to start walking more comfortably than I had, since having my stroke. The continuation of the group sessions, to set programs, has met my needs and helped with the continuation of my recovery.

"I need to stress that I have had a tremendous boost mentally and am getting a great deal out of the social interaction at the gym. I was able to form social connections with other people who have similar lived experiences as me, and other clients. A few of us had only just started to go for a coffee after our sessions. I was looking forward to the future and becoming more independent but that has been taken away from me and my other friends at The Y".

A woman in her 60s and man in perhaps his 30s look at each other, in front of trees.

Pictured: Alison and her son. Alison has been using this gym to recover from a stroke.

We will continue to follow this situation and we wish the gym members success in their meetings with Ministers to see if a way to continue these services can be found.

Kate Gorman
Acting Director

 

In this Issue

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

Upcoming HCCA Events

Managing Your Health – Self-Advocacy in your Health Care Journey

Thursday 2 May, 6pm – 7:30pm

Online via Zoom

Join HCCA and Chelsea from the 'Take Control Live Well' Program for some great tips on how to advocate for yourself and your loved ones in health care.

Register for Self-Advocacy in Your Health Care Journey on Humanitix
 

Infrastructure Update

Health Infrastructure Consumer Reference Group

It was great to see members of the Health Infrastructure Consumer Reference Group (HICRG) again at the end of March. At this extra meet-up, members heard about the Canberra Hospital Expansion Project (CHEP) and the new Northside Hospital. We talked about consumer involvement in the CHEP. We were lucky to hear some members who influenced consumer-friendly design in the building talk about their experiences too.

Once the Critical Services Building opens at CHEP, Major Projects will move on to the Northside Hospital Project. ACT Health showed HICRG members the Northside Hospital site using drone footage. We will share these soon.

For now, you can also watch this short video about the project: Northside Hospital Animation (2 minutes) | Vimeo.com.

— Darcy
(Infrastructure Project Officer)

 

Policy and Research Update

C and Jess recently attended the Australian Medical Council (AMC) Implementation Workshop on revised medical school standards. This event brought together medical colleges and other stakeholders from around Australia and New Zealand. Attendees talked about implementation plans for the revised medical school standards and reflected on emerging challenges and opportunities for medical education.

The workshop started with three yarning circles focused on cultural safety, community engagement and student wellbeing. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities traditionally use yarning circles to build respect and learn from each other. These circles were a great way for all participants to feel comfortable to start sharing their thoughts. They encouraged some important conversations.

An HCCA highlight of the implementation workshop was a panel discussion focusing on the theme of community engagement. C shared their expertise and enthusiasm for consumer participation. C and the other panel members reflected on the great outcomes real collaboration can achieve and how we can get medical schools truly engaged with their communities.

HCCA has previously worked with the AMC on reviewing and drafting the revised standards. HCCA provided advice on strengthened requirements for medical schools to engage the wider community on:

  • Governance,
  • learning activities,
  • goal setting,
  • curriculum development, and
  • evaluation.

These revised standards are now being implemented.

You can learn more about the work of the AMC and the standards for medical schools on the AMC website.

Four panel members are seated on a stage. They are dressed in business casual, and three panelists appear to be listening to one speak.

Pictured: AMC Workshop Community Engagement Panellists – Jami Jones, Tricia Greenway, C Moore, Dr Dinesh Palipana.

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

Draft ACT Health Clinical Governance Framework 2024-2029

The draft ACT Clinical Governance Framework (the Framework) has been developed to accompany the ACT Health Quality Strategy 2018-2028. The Framework supports safe, effective and person-centred care in Canberra’s public health services. The Framework covers five areas:

  • Leadership & Culture
  • Workforce capability
  • Clinical Risk Management
  • Quality Assurance of Clinical Practice
  • Consumer & Carer Engagement.

If you would like to review the Framework or provide input, please contact Stephen at [email protected] or call (02) 6230 7800 by Tuesday, 16 April.

Extension – Legislative Assembly Inquiry in to Raising Children in the ACT

The ACT Legislative Assembly is conducting an inquiry in to raising children in the ACT. HCCA will be preparing a submission focusing on the Terms of Reference that specifically address health care:

  • Availability of health services including access to paediatric specialists and screening;
  • Support and advice for prospective parents with a disability and/or significant health issues;
  • Fertility issues and the accessibility of affordable fertility treatments;

You can read the complete Terms of Reference for the inquiry on the ACT Parliament website.

We have been granted an extension to the deadline for this Inquiry. If you are still interested in providing input on one or more of the three Terms of Reference listed above, please contact Jess at [email protected] or call (02) 6230 7800 by Monday, 15 April.

Are you an older person taking antidepressants, or caring for someone who is?

Would you be interested in taking part in a public health research project?

HCCA, in partnership with Sydney Health Literacy Lab, is researching how we can help older people who are prescribed antidepressants. Your experiences and opinions could make a difference for others.

We would like to talk to people who are:

  • older people prescribed an antidepressant currently, or in the past 12 months,
  • carers of older people prescribed an antidepressant currently, or in the past 12 months, including older people in residential aged care facilities
  • based in Australia and over 18 years of age.

To sign up for an interview, or to find out more, fill in your details here: Quality Use of Medicines Research – Antidepressants (qualtrics.com).

Learn more about the Using Medicines for Better Health Project.

 

Health Literacy Update

The health literacy team has had a busy time recently!

  • C attended and presented at the Australian Medical Council (AMC) Implementation Workshop on revised medical school standards.
  • Ivapene presented Navigating the Health System to students at the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).
  • C and Ivapene presented the second Health Literacy session to staff of the Australian Medical Council (AMC) online.
  • HCCA hosted a ‘Thinking Ahead’ event for Advance Care Planning (ACP) week. A successful event with participants engaged in robust discussions on topics presented by speakers – Janine Rath (Canberra Health Services’ ACP program), Linda Hansen (Palliative Care ACT), and HCCA’s Jessica Lamb sharing Voluntary Assisted Dying updates.

Ivapene attended 2 community celebrations: Pacific Island Community Harmony Day and an Iftar Celebration hosted by Multicultural Hub.

— the Health Literacy team
(C and Ivapene)

Active Beginnings program launch

Active Beginnings is finally launching its activity program! This is the result of almost 2 years of co-design work by the Active Beginnings multicultural team.

The program supports active lifestyles for multicultural women in the ACT to:

  • improve their health and wellbeing
  • make new friends
  • connect to social supports
  • access physical activity community resources

The Active Beginnings project is funded by ACT Health through a Healthy Canberra Grant and developed by a partnership of multicultural Canberran women, the University of Canberra, the Multicultural Hub of ACT, and the Health Care Consumers’ Association.

  • Register for the Active Beginnings launch event on eventbrite.
  • Check out the Active Beginnings Activity Program on the University of Canberra website.
  • For more information about the program, contact the Active Beginnings Team:
    • Email [email protected], or
    • Phone (02) 6206 8278.
 

Chronic Conditions Network Update

The Chronic Conditions Network is partnering with Capital Health Network’s HealthPathways team to deliver a presentation at the 2024 HealthPathways Conference in Brisbane in May.

We will be talking about our collaborative feedback sessions where community organisations from the Chronic Conditions Network were able to review the patient information pathways in the HealthPathways database that GPs all over the ACT and Southern NSW use.

This project has meant the services and supports available through these community organisations are up-to-date for GPs using the database and will help consumers get connected with these valuable supports early in their primary health journey.

— 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.

 
ACT Opportunities
Canberra Health Services – Education and Training Committee

 New!  Closing date: Wednesday, 1 May 2024

Canberra Health Services (CHS) is looking for a consumer to join the Education and Training Committee. The role of the committee is to give advice and make decisions about education and training at CHS.

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

 
ACT Ambulance Service – Consumer Advisory Group

 Closing Soon!  Closing date: Tuesday, 16 April 2024

The ACT Ambulance Service is looking for consumers to join their Consumer Advisory Group. The role of the group is to give feedback and suggestions to the Senior Management Group about how consumers experience the Ambulance service.

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

 
Canberra Region Medical Education Council

 Closing Soon!  Closing date: 5pm Wednesday, 17 April 2024

The Canberra Region Medical Education Council has opened an Expression of Interest for a new consumer representative. This council is responsible for improving medical education and training in the ACT.

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

 
National/Interstate Opportunities
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia – Consumer Insights Strategy Focus Group

 New!   Closing Soon!  Closing date: Friday, 12 April 2024

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is looking for consumers to participate in an online focus group as part of their consultation to shape their Consumer Insights Strategy.

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

 

Items of Interest

Free Webinar Tomorrow: Health Literacy in Regional Communities | A focus on community engagement

The Sydney Health Literacy Lab (SHeLL) and NSW Health’s Regional Health Division are pleased to offer a webinar on engaging diverse communities in regional settings. The online talk will share a range of tools and strategies to support consumer engagement and co-design, which are key to health literacy policies at state and national levels.

  • When: Tomorrow, Thursday 11 April, 12pm – 1pm
  • Where: Zoom (with Q&A)
  • Register: Health Literacy in Regional Communities | Register on Zoom.
Northside Community Service – free first aid training for 12-25 year olds (school holidays)

Northside Community Service (NCS) still has spaces available for their free one-day First Aid and CPR course for young people (12-25 years old) on:

  • Tuesday 23 April, 10am – 4pm
  • Friday 26 April, 10am – 4pm

For more information on this and other NCS school holiday programs, view their flyer here: Autumn School Holiday Program (PDF).

To register, please complete the Registration and Permission Form (PDF), and email it to the NCS Engagement Team before 5pm, Monday 15 April: [email protected].

Active Beginnings

Would you like to try fun, new ways of exercising for free?

  • 6 week program, starting Monday 29 April 2024
  • Designed for multicultural women, by multicultural women
  • Aqua aerobics, Zumba, walking, Parkrun, strength and tone, family games
  • No pressure – as much or as little as you like
  • At home and face-to-face
  • Daytime and evenings

Find out more: canberra.edu.au/active-beginnings | [email protected] | (02) 6206 8278.

2024 Carer Wellbeing Survey

If you’re a carer, share your voice by taking the National Carer Wellbeing Survey.

Your feedback will help Carers Australia understand the challenges you face in your role as an unpaid carer.

You have the option to complete a short or full version of the survey, and there are 13 cash prizes worth a total of $5000 to be won if you complete it. Your answers will be completely confidential.

 
 Facebook  Web  Instagram  Youtube

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

© 2024 Health Care Consumers' Association Inc, All rights reserved. Edited by Kate Gorman.

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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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