30 September 2016 Report

Medicare Benefits Schedule: Involving the public in the review process

Consumers Health Forum

This report includes a summary of findings and an appraisal of existing models used across the world to involve the public in heath technology assessment.

It is intended to inform discussions of the Medicare Benefits Schedule Review Taskforce about the ‘improvement of our Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)’ in order to ensure that it is ‘consistent with the latest clinical practice, or the best value healthcare. This report focusses on ways of improving the way the public are involved in the process of reviewing MBS Items.

This report also contains an Appendix which includes the search report from the literature review, a summary of the data extracted, links to the full data set extracted from the rapid review and additional information

The report contains a level of detail intended to reflect the complex nature of the subject. As an aid, the report includes a one page summary of the entire report, and an executive summary of key learning points that have been extracted from the report.


One page summary

Section title: Exploring definitions and terms

This section explores the variety of words and terms used throughout the English speaking world to describe ‘consumer engagement’ and associated concepts.

Key learning point

Involving the public in creating and agreeing the language used to describe engagement, participation and involvement will ensure that it is accessible, inclusive and therefore effective.


Section title: Detailed appraisal of five relevant models

This sections examines five internationally relevant models in detail, appraising the design and, where appropriate, key elements and limitations.

Key learning point

While these models represent a number of different ways of involving the public and evaluating involvement, there is no evidence-based validation for any of the models and therefore no endorsed option.

Section title: Relevant generic models of involvement

This section contains a summary of models of public involvement and engagement which, while relevant to health technology assessment, are more generic.

Key learning point

While there are a number of relevant international models, there is significant variation in the definitions of certain words used, such as engagement, and the purpose of any involvement or engagement. The Health Research Authority (UK) provides the best example of an organisation clearly articulating what they mean by public involvement, thus providing a robust linguistic framework of reference for future involvement models.


Section title: Significant themes

The significant themes identified were ‘social and ethical issues’, ‘public involvement’, ‘learning, training, education and development’.

Key learning point

While there may be challenges to including and involving everyone in the appraisal process, or ‘tensions between equity and efficiency', there are ways of overcoming some of these challenges. For example, creating inclusive learning and development opportunities for the public.

 
 

 

30 September 2016 Submission

Submission to Inquiry into National Cancer Screening Register Bill 2016 and National Cancer Screening Register (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2016

Consumers Health Forum

CHF is aware that many concerns have been raised about the awarding of the contract for the National Register to Telstra Health. However it is clear from the Bill that the Commonwealth is the custodian of the data in the register and as such has the responsibility to ensure that sufficient / stringent privacy safeguards and data governance arrangements are put in place to ensure the information collected is only used for the agreed purposes. This responsibility remains with them regardless of any contractual arrangements to operate the Register. The Bills provide those safeguards. It would be CHF’s expectation that the Bill’s intent with regard to privacy and data governance is upheld in appropriate provisions in the contractual arrangements in place between the Government and Telstra Health. With these legislative provisions and contractual obligations in place CHF believes the population health benefits exceed the risks and the Register should be established.

30 September 2016 Submission

Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation

Consumers Health Forum

The Discussion Paper identified a number of key areas that the Panel wanted advice on to help shape its recommendations. Consistent with our desire to have a 21st century health system that has the consumer at its centre our submission concentrates on changes which would have a direct impact on consumers and would improve their access to a full suite of community pharmacy services.

Fundamental to our recommendations is the move away from an omnibus bilateral community pharmacy agreement to a series of arrangements that are negotiated on a multilateral basis with all key stakeholders. We look to deregulation of location and ownership to be the springboard for more innovation and meeting changing consumers’ expectations around when and where they get their medicines and other pharmacy services.

All of our recommendations take into account other health reforms that are underway, including the introduction of Health Care Homes, the role of Primary Health Networks and the move to more integrated care across primary and hospital settings. Community pharmacy needs to be included in all these reforms and we believe our recommendations position it to do so.

22 September 2016 Report

Consumer co-creation in health: innovating in Primary Health Networks

Consumers Health Forum, AHHA and Workshop Participants

This brief provides recommendations for health service providers including hospitals and Primary Health Networks (PHNs) to increase the role of consumers in designing healthcare services. It was put together by Policy Officer Rebecca Randall, following a workshop by AHHA and CHF, 'Consumer Engagement: How can PHNs & LHNs involve consumers in co-creation to improve healthcare?'

14 September 2016 Presentations and Speeches

Integration of Care: Is Nirvana Possible?

Consumers Health Forum, Presented by Leanne Wells

This presentation was one of three given at the Asia Pacific Healthcare Conference (APAC 2016), as part of a session titled “Integration of Care – Consumers, Relationships and Systems – is Nirvana Possible?”.

Achieving integrated care is seen as one of the wicked problems of healthcare as systems strive to reduce defragmentation, improve care co-ordination, and ultimately improve ‘value’.

7 September 2016 Submission

Submission to the Inquiry into Budget Savings (Omnibus) Bill 2016

Consumers Health Forum

CHF welcomed the opportunity to put in a submission on these proposed savings measures. We did not have time to consult our members explicitly on this Bill but we did consult them when the measures were announced as part of the Budget and as the measures have not changed the position remain the same.

We have commented on three of the measures in the Bill; changes to dental services, indexation of private health insurance thresholds and the abolition of the National Health Performance Authority. 

2 September 2016 Report

BIOLOGIC AND BIOSIMILAR MEDICINES 2020: MAKING THE MOST OF THE OPPORTUNITIES

AusBiotech, CHF, Council of Australian Therapeutic Goods Advisory Group, Medicines Australia, NPS MedicineWise, The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, The Royal Australasian College of Physicians, The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia

The availability of both biologic and biosimilar medicines has the potential to make a significant positive impact on the Australian healthcare system. The Biologic and Biosimilar Medicines 2020 Forum held on the 23 June, 2016 in Sydney, brought together a broad range of representatives of the Australian healthcare industry to discuss the many opportunities and new and unique challenges the availability of both biologic and biosimilar medicines present.

The Forum included health professional, consumer, patient advocacy group, medicines industry, and policy and regulatory representation, all sharing their particular views and experience in the use of biologic and biosimilar medicines.

While Australia has taken a number of important first steps, there was an acknowledged need to bring the broad range of stakeholders together in this way to gain new insights, discuss the current framework, and future opportunities and challenges of these medicines to enable their success.

The Forum’s organising committee wish to thank the more than 80 contributing attendees. While there were a range of commonalities discussed throughout the Forum, the broad range of perspectives demonstrate the extensive opportunities and intricate challenges facing all stakeholders involved in this complex and evolving field that require further consideration and focus.

The Forum cemented that we must as ever, remain patient-focused, driven to improving patient outcomes. It is hoped the Forum’s discussions, and issues identified will complement and enhance existing and future initiatives to ensure the success of biologics and biosimilars to the benefit of Australian patients and their families.

Feedback from discussions on the day indicated an impetus to continue to jointly progress the issues raised beyond the Forum, and we hope this collaborative approach will enable the health community to continue to benefit from the opportunities biosimilars present, now and in the future. Foreword Organising

26 August 2016 Presentations and Speeches

Consumer Driven Practice, Consumer Driven System

Consumers Health Forum, Presented by Leanne Wells

Presented by our CEO, Leanne Wells, at the 2016 Australian Physiotherapy Association Conference, Darwin. The presentation covers consumer centred practice and why it matters, health pain points, some practical considerations for physios and physio practices, and the current reform environment and where consumer centred practice fits within that with particular focus on the Health Care Homes.

5 August 2016 Presentations and Speeches

Health Insurance Summit 2016

Leanne Wells
Can Payment Reforms Give Consumers Real Buying Power? The MyCover Plan
1 August 2016 Report

Patient-centred Healthcare Homes in Australia - Towards Successful Implementation

CHF, The George Institute for Global Health, RACGP, Menzies Centre

In Australia we are faced with a complex health system with entrenched practices, multiple layers and stakeholders divided across Federal and State systems, which is also often hard to navigate for both patient and provider. The question we must address is how do we ensure the Health Care Home can reach its potential in Australia and deliver the best outcomes for patients? This report outlines recommendations around the following guiding principles towards successful implementation.

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