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| Health Consumers Tasmania | |
|---|---|
| Name | Health Consumers Tasmania |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Type | Non-profit advocacy organisation |
| Location | Tasmania, Australia |
| Key people | Board members, Chief Executive Officer |
| Area served | Tasmania |
| Focus | Patient advocacy, consumer engagement, health policy |
Health Consumers Tasmania is an independent Tasmanian non-profit organisation representing health care consumers and carers across Tasmania. It works to improve health service quality, safety, access and responsiveness by amplifying consumer voices to health providers, policymakers and institutions. The organisation engages with state and national bodies to influence health reform, clinical governance and patient-centred care.
Health Consumers Tasmania was established in 2009 following review and consultation processes involving Tasmanian health stakeholders such as the Tasmanian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services (Tasmania), and community groups. Its formation responded to broader national developments including recommendations from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and the rise of consumer advocacy models promoted after inquiries like the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Early activities included representation on advisory committees to the Tasmanian Government and involvement with peak bodies such as Consumers Health Forum of Australia and the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association. Over time the organisation has participated in cross-jurisdictional networks aligned with initiatives from the Commonwealth of Australia and collaborative projects with institutions including the University of Tasmania and clinical networks in Tasmania.
The organisation's mission aligns with principles articulated by national standards such as the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards promulgated by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Governance is overseen by a consumer-elected board and an executive team that liaises with statutory bodies including the Tasmanian Health Service and ministerial offices such as the Minister for Health (Tasmania). Corporate governance frameworks reference models used by entities like the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and adopt codes of conduct analogous to those of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Strategic plans have been informed by inquiries such as the Murray Inquiry and reporting expectations from agencies including the Office of the Ombudsman (Tasmania).
Programs target patient experience, health literacy and system navigation. Initiatives have included consumer representation on clinical governance committees within the Royal Hobart Hospital, co-design workshops with services such as the Launceston General Hospital, and educational sessions drawing on resources from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Services include advocacy support for individuals, peer-led forums, and participation in safety and quality audits alongside bodies like the Auditor-General of Tasmania. The organisation has delivered projects in partnership with research units at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research and community organisations including the Community Care Tas sector.
Health Consumers Tasmania engages in policy advocacy on issues including hospital safety, aged care, mental health and rural health access. It submits to policy processes undertaken by the Tasmanian Government, provides consumer input to reviews by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and contributes to consultations led by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care. Advocacy has addressed service redesign at facilities such as the North West Regional Hospital, influenced patient pathway reforms, and informed responses to national inquiries including the Productivity Commission reviews. The organisation also engages with parliamentary processes through liaison with members of the Parliament of Tasmania and through collaboration with national advocates such as the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.
Membership comprises individual consumers, carers and community representatives drawn from regions including Hobart, Launceston and the North West Tasmania corridor. Stakeholder engagement strategies involve partnerships with clinical colleges like the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, consumer networks such as Carers Australia, and local service providers including community health centres and Aboriginal health services represented by organisations like Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre. The organisation convenes forums, surveys and advisory panels modeled after best-practice engagement approaches used by entities like the National Health and Medical Research Council.
Funding sources blend government grants from Tasmanian and Commonwealth streams, project funding from philanthropic bodies and partnership contracts with academic institutions. Collaborative partnerships have been formed with the University of Tasmania, health services including Calvary Health Care Tasmania, and national bodies such as the Consumers Health Forum of Australia. Financial oversight follows regulatory guidance akin to that of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and audit practices used by state agencies including the Department of Treasury and Finance (Tasmania).
Impact has been measured through consumer satisfaction indicators, participation metrics in advisory roles at facilities like the Royal Hobart Hospital and changes in policy and practice arising from submissions to inquiries such as the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. External evaluations have referenced frameworks used by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the Productivity Commission to assess effectiveness of consumer engagement. Documented outcomes include increased consumer representation on governance committees, incorporation of patient-reported measures in local service planning, and contributions to statewide reforms affecting mental health, aged care and elective surgery pathways.
Category:Health advocacy groups in Australia Category:Organisations based in Tasmania