Many of you knew Noel as a fellow member of HCQ’s consumer network and we are sad to share the news that he passed away on 20 April 2021.
Noel was an active, dedicated and inclusive health consumer representative who made a valuable contribution to improving our public health care system whilst championing other health consumers and ensuring that their voices were heard – right up until a few days before his death.
Three cheers for our Engagement Adviser, Leonie Sanderson, whose time with HCQ came to an end in June.
Leonie joined us in 2016 for a five year journey as the dedicated bridge and builder of trust between families and the government to support the implementation of the recommendations from the Barrett Centre Inquiry. With over 20 years of experience working in the consumer, engagement and community space, a background in youth engagement, and a compassionate and person-centred approach, she was perfectly placed to support these relationships and help develop a shared vision for what mental health services and care for young people could look like.
Jacaranda Place, Brisbane’s extended adolescent treatment centre offering in-patient care, step up-step down facilities and day programs is the result of this work and is now a world class model of care and facility for young people with complex and chronic mental health conditions. Not only does it represent a much-needed investment in mental health services for young people, it is also, thanks to Leonie’s contribution, a brilliant example of the power of genuine co-design.
How do you make your ward the most popular in the hospital? Getting to know the end user is a good start, according to Kelsie Dummett.
Kelsie is one of the founding members of Mater Youth Consultancy, Mater Hospital’s initiative to design better services for patients making the transition from paediatric care to adult health services. Mater Youth Consultancy (MYC) was founded in 2013 in recognition of the poorer health outcomes for people in those transition years.
As the Manager of the Mater Young Adult Health Centre (MAYHC), Greg McGahan, explained, this 16 to 25 year age group need support for more than just their physical health problems. In order to fully engage in their health care, young people need holistic emotional and educational support.
Occupying the building formerly housing the Mater Children’s Hospital, the Mater Young Adult Health Centre was designed hand-in-hand with young people from the start. MYHC worked closely with Mater Youth Consultancy, a group of 14 young people, some of whom had lived experiences of health care, some local students, and also a small group from the local refugee community.
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