What we do
Health Consumers Queensland is the peak organisation representing the interests of health consumers and carers in the state and acts as an agent of change for consumer-centred health care.
Our Queensland-wide health consumer network is the beating heart of our organisation. Since 2008, we have worked to enable consumers, Queensland Health and the health system to partner effectively together and improve the health of all Queenslanders.
We maximise opportunities to amplify and embed diverse consumer voices at all levels of the health system through our:
- Advocacy for consumer partnerships in health
- Strategic advice on contemporary engagement
- Consumer opportunities recruitment program
- Responsive training and skills development programs for consumers and health staff
- Consultation projects
- Consumer and health staff listening and sharing, and information events
- Online engagement with people right across Queensland
What is our work based on?
Our work in consumer partnerships in health is based on the National Safety and Quality Health Standards Partnering with Consumers Standard.
The Partnering with Consumers Standard aims to create health service organisations in which there are mutually beneficial outcomes by having:
- consumers as partners in planning, design, delivery, measurement and evaluation of systems and services
- patients as partners in their own care, to the extent that they choose
The Partnering with Consumers Standard (also known as Standard 2) includes:
- Clinical governance and quality improvement systems to support partnering with consumers
- Partnering with patients in their own care
- Healthcare rights and informed consent
- Health literacy
- Partnering with consumers in planning, design, measurement and evaluation