Seeking Consumer Comment

The Health Consumers Alliance of SA (HCA), in collaboration with the Central Adelaide and Hills Medicare Local (CAHML), invites health consumers to participate in a survey. The aim of the Australian Government’s reforms to after hours primary care is to provide all Australians, regardless of where they live, with accessible and effective after hours primary care services. In doing so, Medicare Locals must ensure that local after hours primary care services are well planned, co-ordinated…

The Quality Use of Medicines South Australia (QUMSA) working group has invited HCA to provide feedback and comment on two consumer information sheets: Information for patients given oxycodone for the short-term treatment of acute pain Discharge information for patients given sedative or opioid (morphine-like) medicines in Emergency Department or Day surgery These consumer information sheets were developed by the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) and approved by the RAH Drug Committee. They are intended to facilitate…

SA Health has released the Draft South Australian Suicide Prevention Strategy to the public for a seven week consultation period. The Strategy’s purpose is to develop a coordinated response to people experiencing psychological distress that is both compassionate and supportive during periods of vulnerability. This final consultation phase is seeking feedback from community members, services and other agencies to inform the strategy and provide comprehensive information on the services currently available. It will provide valuable…

FCN is currently seeking people's stories of their cancer journey, be it patient, survivor, family member, friend or carer to help them produce a DVD &/or booklet. People are invited to write their story (word limit about 500 words) or if comfortable be willing to feature on a DVD. Timeline: End Feb - Mid March. If you or you know anyone willing to help FCN would be happy to hear from them. Please contact Jules…

The Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (the Board) would like to have guidelines on Continuing Professional Development and Recency of Practice from 1 July 2012 and is consulting on its drafts. These draft guidelines have been developed under the requirements of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act (the National Law), as in force in each state and territory. Under the National Law, the Board is empowered to develop and approve codes and guidelines,…

CONSUMERS HEALTH FORUM Expressions of Interest - attendance at the 2012 National Medicines Symposium 24‑25 May, Sydney The 2012 National Medicines Symposium (NMS), hosted by NPS: Better Choices, Better Health (NPS), will be held from 24‑25 May 2012 at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre. The Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) is calling for expressions of interest (EOI) from consumer representatives with relevant skills and expertise who would be interested in attending the event.…

The National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards are a critical component of the Australian Health Services Safety and Quality Accreditation Scheme and were endorsed by the Australian Health Ministers in September 2011. The NSQHS Standards will become mandatory for hospitals and day procedure services nationally, with implementation scheduled from 1 Jan 2013. An evaluation and quality improvement program called EQuIPNational is being developed for member organisations that will go hand in hand with…

CareSearch (www.caresearch.com.au) is an online resource designed to help those needing relevant and trustworthy information and resources about palliative care. The website is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. The staff of CareSearch are keen to enhance and expand the consumer sections of their website, to learn how they can best address consumer needs and the best ways to assist consumers to access their free information. As part of this process,…