Consumers Health Forum is seeking six (6) — ten (10) consumers who are registered as holding life support status, or a primary carer for someone in your household who needs life support equipment, to participate on a consumer panel.
The Energy Charter is a CEO-led collaboration of like-minded energy organisations with a shared purpose and passion for customers and communities.
The Life Support in the Home: Lived Experience Panel will provide a forum where energy businesses (signatories of the energy charter) can understand the needs of Life Support Customers so that their lived experience can be included in relevant decision-making.
If you, or your loved one, depends on life support at home, this should be registered with your energy supplier. Your account is then registered as holding life support status. Life support equipment could include:
- an oxygen concentrator
- a dialysis machine (kidney or peritoneal)
- a ventilator, respirator, or phototherapy equipment
- any other medical equipment that a registered medical practitioner certifies is required for life support, or a medical condition which requires a continued supply of electricity and/or gas.
The Australian Energy Foundation Report highlights pain points and opportunities for the energy industry, and this panel will help to build effective and meaningful support for Life Support Customers so their critical needs are better understood and met.
In particular, the energy sector (retailers, distribution, and network businesses) is planning for targeted support for those people who need it the most during energy outages.
Purpose
The role of the Panel is to inform the approach and activities of energy organisations for those consumers who use life support equipment in the home and to support the critical needs of Life Support Customers.
Meetings
The Panel will meet monthly for 1.5-hour online meetings via Teams over 6-12 months.
The first orientation meeting is scheduled for 24 April 2024 12:30 pm to 1:30pm (AEST)
The following meeting dates will be scheduled and agreed upon at the first meeting.
Term
Membership to the Panel is for a one-year term, commencing in April 2024 and ending in April 2025. Members will receive an induction by way of a 1.5-hour online induction meeting and reading materials.
Remuneration
Remuneration for Panel members is based on the current remuneration rate as per the Commonwealth Remunerations Tribunal for part-time office holders is $89.60 per hour or $448 per day (based on a 5-hour day), plus reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses.
Remuneration hours will be set for each meeting and will include allocated times for reading and follow-ups.
Closing
Apply by: 10:00 am (AEST) Tues 2 April 2024
All expressions of interest will be assessed by an independent panel aiming for a diverse range of perspectives.
Contact
If you have any questions please contact CHF Engagement Manager, Emma Sayers by email: e.sayers@chf.org.au.
Terms of Reference
Read more about the committee and the Terms of Reference.
More information
The Energy Charter have identified the Better Protections of Life Support Customers as a Priority #BetterTogther initiative for 2023/2024.
