FEDERAL ELECTION 2022: Putting the care back into healthcare

FEDERAL ELECTION 2022: Putting the care back into healthcare

Putting the care back into healthcare

Joint letter from Queensland-based consumer, community and clinician groups

In a powerful demonstration of consumer-led partnerships, and a first in Queensland, 13 organisations have come together to write a joint letter to all political parties and candidates contesting the 2022 Federal election. The issues raised in the letter are concerns shared by health stakeholders across Australia.

The letter calls on all parties and candidates to commit to innovating and improving our health system so it is healthier, agile, collaborative and better able to meet the diverse needs of Queenslanders – all while being affordable and accessible for all people.

Download and read the open letter here

What can health consumers do to share the letter?

How can organisations use the letter?

The letter calls for action to provide equity of access and priority given to the healthcare needs of

  • First Nations peoples
  • People with disability and complex health needs
  • People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
  • Older people
  • Rural and remote communities

It also urges improved integration between primary, community and tertiary healthcare, and a consumer-centred healthcare system. (more…)

Host a Kitchen Table Discussion or Yarning Circle on reducing medication related problems

Closing date: 4pm, Friday 13th May 2022

Have you ever experienced any challenges or problems with medicines or supported a friend or family member with this? Health Consumers Queensland is seeking five consumer or carers to host a Kitchen Table Discussion or Yarning Circle on this subject.

About the project

ACTMed is a new service being developed to help consumers, pharmacists and general practitioners (GP), to work together to find medicine related problems and prevent harm. To make sure ACTMed meets the needs of consumers, we would like to hear consumer ideas to design a process so that their GP, pharmacist, and Health Workers, and all the other people involved in their care can help them take medicines safely. It is important that we get consumer ideas and understand their preferences to make sure that this new process works in the best possible way for them and their community. We also want hosts to lead a Kitchen Table Discussion / Yarning Circle about this.

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Host a Kitchen Table Discussion on Care for Older Australians in the Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN region

Closing date: 4pm, Thursday 5th May 2022

Health Consumers Queensland has an opportunity for six consumers and/or carers living in the Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN region to host a Kitchen Table Discussion or Yarning Circle with local community members to hear their experiences in relation to Care for Older Australians.

About the project

Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN is seeking feedback about the health and healthcare experiences of older people in their region. Feedback is sought from older people (65 years and older) and people who have lived experience accessing health and support services for older people, including family members and carers. The PHN seeks the experiences of all community members, particularly including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culturally and linguistically diverse people.

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Queensland Health Investment Assurance Committee

Closing date: 9am Tuesday 10 May 2022.  

The Queensland Department of Health is providing a unique opportunity to participate as a member of the Investment Assurance Committee (IAC). The Committee provides assurance on Queensland Health’s built infrastructure projects and their achievement of healthcare service outcomes.

In essence, this committee ensures that Queensland Health capital projects are “on track” to deliver the proposed benefits with a high chance of success and ready to progress to the next stage. The Committee has an independent Chair and representatives from across the Department of Health, Hospital and Health services and central agencies.

The role of the consumer representative on this committee will be to attend Investment Assurance Committee meetings and to actively participate in all Committee activities such as pre-meeting reading, discussions, provision of feedback and advice.

Who is it for?

This is a strategic high-level committee that is tasked with lots of reading. Meeting papers usually average over 200 pages, so this would suit someone with a high level of literacy. Other criteria include:

  • With at least 6 months’ committee experience, either at the Hospital and Health Service, or Statewide level.
  • An understanding of major projects and infrastructure would be ideal.
  • Having knowledge of capital planning and delivery process would be advantageous.
  • Has interest or understanding of various cycles including, project and program lifecycles.

Read more or apply >

Issues Paper: Making sense of Omicron

Issues Paper: Making sense of Omicron

Key topics in this issue:

  • System capacity is a concern for many consumers, with ramping, backlog of delayed treatments and screening, and underutilization of the surge workforce 
  • COVID Information is still challenging, although improved Consumer and clinicians are often not finding the information they need. 
  • Complacency: There is a perception that the public consider Omicron no more dangerous than a cold, and this is leading a relaxation of precautions.  

Read the Issues Paper >