Qld health consumers to have a strong voice on health planning

Health consumers will have a direct say in shaping Queensland government policy and initiatives to improve health services, Health Minister Stephen Robertson has said when announcing the establishment of a new statewide health consumer body – Health Consumers Queensland.

The body will drive reforms to improve consumer involvement in health advocacy, planning and complaints.

“This is about giving health consumers a strong voice to present their views to government on health policy development and planning,” Mr Robertson said.

“Health Consumers Queensland will first build the capacity of consumers across the State to engage directly with government on the delivery, planning and operation of health care.

“It will also provide advocacy and support to those consumers who lodge complaints about their health care experiences.”

Mr Robertson said Health Consumers Queensland will build a statewide network of community representatives to represent consumer interests on health projects, committees and working parties.

Five or six fulltime officers will be based in regional areas throughout the State and locals will be recruited and trained as consumer representatives to serve on health-related committees.

Members of local Health Community Councils will also be provided training and support in consumer and community engagement.

Mr Robertson said Health Consumers Queensland will have a close working relationship with the independent Health Quality and Complaints Commission, Queensland Health.

The new consumer health body will initially have the status of a ministerial advisory committee comprising representatives from consumer and community groups.

This is an interim arrangement to enable strategies to be undertaken during its first two years of operation to build the capacity of health consumers in Queensland to engage effectively with government.The model will be reviewed after two years .