7 August 2018 — Submission

New Australian Government Data Sharing and Release Legislation: Response to issues paper

Consumers Health Forum

Our focus in this response is health data, as that is our area of expertise and interest. As recognised in the issues paper, health data is more sensitive than data about most other areas of a consumers’ lives, such as personal preference for transport to work or even more sensitive data like address or bank details. A consumer can change where they live, but not their medical history. More broadly in a conversation between the government and community on the public's expectations on data use is needed before enshrining values in new legislation. A clear set of underlying principles that allows citizens to understand the limits and protections on how data about them can be used by government, academia and industry must become common knowledge.

 

20 July 2018 — Submission

Submission on TGA complaints handling processes

Consumers Health Forum

CHF welcomed the Review of Medicines and Medical Device Regulation and, while we did not support removing the required pre-approval of therapeutic goods advertisements, we are pleased to work with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to ensure that new arrangements will continue to protect consumer interests. We applaud the efforts to streamline the management and encourage greater consistency in decision-making relating to complaints about the advertising of therapeutic goods to the public.

9 July 2018 — Report

CHF 2017-18 Report Card

Consumers Health Forum

2017-18 was an exciting year for CHF, from working with our growing member base to reach millions of consumers, to launching initiatives that will make a real difference to Australia's healthcare system. Read our Report Card to learn more.

2 July 2018 — Submission

Submission to Select Committee into the Obesity Epidemic in Australia

Consumers Health Forum

CHF has consistently advocated123 for a national, whole-of-society obesity strategy. This is because recent reports show that years of public education campaigns have failed to reverse the rise in obesity, showing that it is well past time for individual-oriented prevention to become a priority. Most alarming is the rising rate of childhood obesity, which indicates a future where health levels and life expectancy will decline.
In this submission, CHF urges the Committee to address the multiple influences - access, affordability, time, marketing - that determine daily choices and individual behaviour. Regulatory changes such as taxes can make the healthier choices more appealing and help to modify unhealthy behaviours that are known to be linked to obesity.

2 July 2018 — Submission

Submission to Senate Inquiry into PHI legislation

Consumers Health Forum

CHF works to achieve safe, quality, timely and affordable healthcare for all Australians, supported by accessible health information and systems. We support the principles of consumer centred care and chief among these is the principle of universal health care1. Private Health Insurance (PHI) and concerns about medical costs are two of the areas most frequently raised with CHF by the community. Because of this, PHI is one of our key areas of interest. We have been active participants in all waves of reform about PHI, including through representing the needs of consumers on the current Private Health Ministerial Advisory Committee. We welcome the Inquiry and are pleased to provide a submission to it.

13 June 2018 — Consumers Shaping Health

Consumers Shaping Health Vol 12 Issue 2 June 2018

Consumers Shaping Health
13 June 2018 — Report

Going Digital to Deliver a Healthier Australia

CHF and The George Institute
12 June 2018 — Fact Sheets

Consumer Guide to Reforms

In October 2017, TGA announced the implementation of patient information leaflets and patient implant cards for all implantable medical devices. This was in response to consumer concerns about the limited or absence of information provided about the medical device during surgery.

From 1 December 2018, a patient information leaflet will need to be provided by manufacturers of all new permanently implantable devices in the TGA approved format. It is intended that this summary document will be similar to the consumer medicines information leaflet given to the patient. Patient implant cards will also be required for all new urogynaecological mesh device implants.  

CHF have welcomed the announced reforms as a key component of improving informed consent for people having implanted devices and for after surgery care. Download the Consumer Guide to learn more.

6 June 2018 — Health Voices

Health Voices, Issue 22, April 2018

Consumers Health Forum

The notion that consumers are the silent partners in medical research is changing in step with the rise of consumer influence and individualised therapies.  And in the latest Federal Budget medical research funding is providing for consumers to have a role in helping identify research priorities. In this edition of Health Voices, leading Australian researchers and health consumers examine how consumers can influence research.

1 June 2018 — Report

Consumer case studies about safety and quality in health care - project information sheet

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