23 July 2020 — Media release

The blot in Australia’s health report

The latest report on Australia’s health shows the nation is performing generally well apart from a notably poor score on overweight and obesity. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report today reveals that by virtually any significant health measure, Australia does better than most...
14 July 2020 — Media release

Raising the rate for good essential for our health and the economy

The level of the Jobseeker payment is good for the physical and economic health of the nation which is why we must retain an adequate unemployment payment beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, the Consumers Health Forum says. “We strongly support the National Day of Action today to demonstrate why we...
12 July 2020 — Media release

Telehealth a crucial advance requiring more patient engagement and certainty

The continuing outbreaks of coronavirus in Australia have reinforced the need for Medicare support of telehealth and we need a Government’s decision informed by clinician and patient experience to maintain it, the Consumers Health Forum says. “Telehealth has provided a vital primary health support...
8 July 2020 — Blog

Healthcare jewels from the caves of suffering

A paradox of modern healthcare is that despite the huge strides in health and behavioural science, the value of patient experience and leadership often remains under-recognised and underused. In his new ebook, English author and patient advocate David Gilbert shows us just how much healthcare is...
6 July 2020 — Blog

Health and social care reform on Consumer Commission agenda

The idea that the coronavirus pandemic offers at least one upside – a legacy of potential health care reforms such as telehealth – is a key factor in the CHF’s decision to establish the Consumer Commission: Beyond COVID-19. Various parts of the health system have been bent to fit the shape required...
24 June 2020 — Media release

Consumer Commission to seek lessons from COVID-19 to drive a better health system

The Consumers Health Forum is establishing a Consumer Commission to take forward the lessons the COVID-19 experience offers for a better and more consumer-focused health system. The demands COVID-19 imposed on health care have triggered fresh impetus for system reforms. CHF’s mission is to draw on...
23 June 2020 — Media release

Pharmacy agreement updated but not upgraded

Australian patients and taxpayers will contribute more than $25 billion over five years under the new Community Pharmacy Agreement yet consumers have little effective say in this central part of the health system. The Consumers Health Forum is disappointed that the new Seventh Community Pharmacy...
22 June 2020 — Blog

COVID and the power of ethics in health care

Among the many issues which have emerged with fresh power for consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic is health ethics. Suddenly the concept of health ethics seemed not something merely to be considered in extremis. We were recognising then that we might soon all be in extremis. Within days of the...
16 June 2020 — Blog

National Health Information Strategy and the public interest

The reality that illness is often unexpected or unplanned makes the immediate availability of health information vital. So the personal experience of an unwell Australian anxiously seeking long-delayed results of a COVID-19 test has injected a timely perspective into discussions about the National...
15 June 2020 — Media release

Pandemic offers guide to future continuity of care

The Continuity of Care Collaboration survey has shown the range of influences affecting patient access to health care during the pandemic that should guide future improvements to health services, the Consumers Health Forum said today. “The impact of COVID-19 revealed not only just how much patient...

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