12 December 2023 Fact Sheets
Consumers Health Forum

Board Communique to members and consumer reps

December 2023

As 2023 draws to a close, we are distributing a Board Communique from our Chair Tony Lawson. 

On behalf of the Board of Directors, the communique gives an update on key programs, our focus for the early part of 2024, and an overview of CHF's operational vision.

Board Communique

12 December 2023 Submission
Consumers Health Forum

The COVID-19 Response Inquiry is currently being led by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C). The inquiry is collecting evidence and policy recommendations on Australia's health and non-health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The final aim of the inquiry is to improve Australia's preparedness for future pandemics. CHF is pleased to make this submission in response to PM&C's COVID-19 Response Inquiry.

28 November 2023 Submission
CHF

Pharmacists in 2030 is a consultation being undertaken by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and is will build on their 2019 report: Pharmacists in 2023. The report will map out how the pharmacy sector can play a role in addressing issues in the Australian healthcare system. CHF is pleased to make this submission in response to the PSA’s consultation.

16 November 2023 Consumer Voices
Consumers Health Forum

In this edition of Consumer Voices we: 

  • Report on a consumer workshop held in Canberra 
  • Invite submissions for the government covid-19 response
  • Share recent webinar replays

View the newsletter

 

 

9 November 2023 Fact Sheets
Consumers Health Forum

CHF engaged in a wide range of policy discussions reflecting our desire (supported by the Australian government) to put consumers at the centre of the discussion and ensure their voices were heard.

During 2022–23 we focussed on advocacy efforts in the following areas:

  • Strengthening Medicare and Primary Health Reform 
  • Cost and quality of healthcare 
  • Pharmacy 
  • Health literacy 
  • Private health 
  • Digital health 
  • Workforce 

We continue to serve as a thought leader in health care and shine a light on where health care can be improved with our focus on equity and fairness of access. For a quick review, read our 2022-2023 CHF Report Card or our Annual Report for more detail.  

During 2022-2023 we: 

  •  advocated consumer interests through submissions and expert international and national committees on
    • primary care
    • mental health
    • digital health
    • medicines policy
    • prevention
    • safety and quality
    • private health
    • out-of-pocket costs
    • consumer engagement
  • generated hundreds of media interviews across national TV, radio and print
  • nominated and supported consumer advisors in government and non-government committees and taskforces
  • conducted four masterclasses with Youth Health Forum members to increase health literacy
  • published a series of policy reports on topics such as wellbeing, Strengthening Medicare, dental services, health technology assessment and telehealth guidelines.
  • conducted 6 surveys as part of Australia’s Health Panel to 1000 participants
  • promoted consumer issues to government and engaged in targeted pre-budget campaigning on behalf of consumers
  • increased reach of our newsletter Consumer Voices to 4200 subscribers
  • engaged with our 10,000+ followers on X (formerly know as Twitter), and our growing social media platforms of 1,300+ Facebook, and 1,600 LinkedIn followers
  • kept in touch with diverse communities with CHF Special Interest Groups (SIGs) active on topical issues 
  • more than 50 members attended CHF’s Members Policy Forum on Wellbeing

Find out more about membership

9 November 2023 Fact Sheets
Consumers Health Forum

CHF engaged in a wide range of policy discussions reflecting our desire (supported by the Australian government) to put consumers at the centre of the discussion and ensure their voices were heard.

During 2022–23 we focussed on advocacy efforts in the following areas:

  • Strengthening Medicare and Primary Health Reform 
  • Cost and quality of healthcare 
  • Pharmacy 
  • Health literacy 
  • Private health 
  • Digital health 
  • Workforce 

We continue to serve as a thought leader in health care and shine a light on where health care can be improved with our focus on equity and fairness of access. For a quick review, read our 2022-2023 CHF Report Card or our Annual Report for more detail.  

During 2022-2023 we: 

  •  advocated consumer interests through submissions and expert international and national committees on
    • primary care
    • mental health
    • digital health
    • medicines policy
    • prevention
    • safety and quality
    • private health
    • out-of-pocket costs
    • consumer engagement
  • generated hundreds of media interviews across national TV, radio and print
  • nominated and supported consumer advisors in government and non-government committees and taskforces
  • conducted four masterclasses with Youth Health Forum members to increase health literacy
  • published a series of policy reports on topics such as wellbeing, Strengthening Medicare, dental services, health technology assessment and telehealth guidelines.
  • conducted 6 surveys as part of Australia’s Health Panel to 1000 participants
  • promoted consumer issues to government and engaged in targeted pre-budget campaigning on behalf of consumers
  • increased reach of our newsletter Consumer Voices to 4200 subscribers
  • engaged with our 10,000+ followers on X (formerly know as Twitter), and our growing social media platforms of 1,300+ Facebook, and 1,600 LinkedIn followers
  • kept in touch with diverse communities with CHF Special Interest Groups (SIGs) active on topical issues 
  • more than 50 members attended CHF’s Members Policy Forum on Wellbeing

Find out more about membership

2 November 2023 Consumer Voices
Consumers Health Forum

In this edition of Consumer Voices we: 

  • We announce new Board Directors and share the Annual Report 
  • CHF roundtable on MyMedicare
  • Annual Report

View the newsletter

 

 

20 October 2023 Consumer Voices
Consumers Health Forum

In this edition of Consumer Voices we: 

  • reflect on the referendum and share in the disppointment with Indigenous leaders and non-Indigenous campaigners that the Voice to Parliament was not passed.   
  • share insights from Jean Hailles for Women's Health from their national survey
  • report on changes to the Shingles vaccine availability 

View the newsletter

 

 

19 October 2023 Annual Reports
Consumers Health Forum

This year has set CHF on an exciting trajectory as we work towards achieving safe, good quality, timely healthcare for all Australians, supported by the best health information and systems the country can afford.

Securing sustainable funding in May 2023 was the result of an effective pre-Budget campaign which saw more than 6,000 Australians sign a petition asking the newly elected Albanese Government to listen to the voice of health consumers.

Consumers want input into how their health services are designed, and by receiving this four-year funding, CHF will be able to better engage with our members, key stakeholders and consumers before decisions are made. We will also aim to get their grassroots feedback on the implementation of new services or policies which will feed into evaluation, and hopefully, continual improvement.

Annual Report 2022-23

For addtional information, read the Board Communique for December 2023, and the minutes for the Annual General Meeting held on 24 Oct 2023. 

5 October 2023 Consumer Voices
Consumers Health Forum

In this edition of Consumer Voices we: 

  • invite you to a webinar with the Department of Health and Aged Care to talk about 60-day prescribing 
  • update you with a webinar replay about MyMedicare
  • Showcase two reports on the welfare of Australians: the Australian welfare report 2023 and an RMIT research project digital access 

View the newsletter

 

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