Phone: 08 8231 4169 | Email: info@hcasa.asn.au | 
Phone: 08 8231 4169
Email: info@hcasa.asn.au
Consumers at the centre of health
in South Australia
About HCA
HCA was established in 2002 as the peak body for health consumers, and is funded by the South Australian Minister for Health & Ageing. As an independent alliance of health consumers and health consumer organisations, we work together with our members to achieve our vision of consumers at the heart of health care. A strong and effective voice for the promotion and protection of health consumer wellbeing and rights, HCA promotes health equity and provides systemic advocacy to inform, shape and sustain consumer centred care.
HCA is the peak body representing all health consumers in South Australia. We provide general information to consumers, strategic policy advice to health planners and decision makers, and independent systemic health consumer advocacy.
Please be aware we do not advocate on behalf of individuals.
Use the links below to access more about HCA.
Introduction to Consumer Advocacy Training
Are you thinking about becoming a consumer advocate or would you like to refresh your knowledge?
Our Introduction to Consumer Advocacy Training session will give you information on the role, challenges and benefits of being a consumer advocate.
The sessions are interactive and based on adult-learning principles. Participants receive reference materials and a certificate of attendance.
For further details please click here.
Introduction to Consumer Advocacy Training
The training is held at the HCA offices at Level 1/12 Pirie Street Adelaide.
You can register to attend online here.
Tailored Training
HCA provides training tailored to the needs of healthcare service providers on a fee-for-service basis. These programs are co-designed in collaboration with you, to identify and meet the specific needs of your healthcare service.
If you interested in developing a training package please contact HCA via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 8231 4169.
Health Consumers Alliance of SA Inc is the state’s peak health consumer body. Our members, partners and consumer advocates have identified priorities for action to ensure consumers are at the centre of health in South Australia. They want health policy based on evidence, research and consumer input at all stages to improve health outcomes and reduce costs. You can find the HCA 2018 Election Platform and Background below, along with a summary report of key points from discussions with politicians, and from HCA stakeholder and member feedback, in response to the Election Platform.
HCA 2018 Election Platform Background
Summary of key points from politicians, HCA stakeholders and members
HCA community room
Health Consumers Alliance of SA Inc (HCA) is situated in the heart of Adelaide’s CBD on Pirie Street. Organisations that hold an organisational membership with HCA are eligible to free use of the HCA community room during business hours, subject to availability.
The community room has the following resources available for use:
• Computer with windows 2016 installed
• Access to our Fuji Xerox printer (for small print jobs)
• Small meeting table
• Lockable storage cupboard.
If you would like to know more about organisational membership, please visit here.
For further information or to make a booking, phone the HCA team on (08) 8231 4169 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Above: HCA community room
HCA meeting rooms
If you are a HCA organisational member you are eligible to use our meeting rooms free of charge, subject to availability. To find out more about availability and for further details, please call the HCA team on (08) 8231 4169. If you would like to become an organisational member, please register here.
Above: HCA large meeting room
Above: HCA small meeting room
Patient or Consumer Centred Care
Top Tips for Providing Consumer Centred Care
The formation of Health Consumers Alliance of SA Inc (HCA) was a milestone in community and consumer engagement in South Australia. For many years, people active in health issues knew that it was an uphill battle to have their voices heard and actioned in the health system.
Early in 2001, the South Australian Council of Social Services began exploring strategies for more effective consumer participation in health and community services, auspicing a project funded by the SA Department of Human Services.
A Healthy Voices network of consumers and providers who were interested in advancing consumer participation was formed, together with a Project Steering Group. In October 2001, Healthy Voices organised a Raise Your Voice conference, which attracted more than 100 delegates. The Conference showcased good examples of consumer and community participation in health planning and service delivery, and ratified a Directions Statement put forward by the Project Steering Group to advance more effective consumer, carer and community participation.
Conference participants decided the first priority was the creation of a state-based consumer organisation, and called on community people and groups to develop the aims, objectives and structure for such an organisation. Consultations leading to the formation of HCA strongly indicated that people wanted an organisation which took a social view of health - one which would concentrate on systemic issues and improvements, based on the experience of health consumers in the system.
In May 2002, John Wishart, Healthy Voices Project Coordinator, compiled findings in the report Setting Up a South Australian Consumer Health Organisation. An Interim Management Committee was established to frame the constitution, canvass members and incorporate under South Australian law.
Setting Up a South Australian Consumers Health Organisation
Incorporation was achieved on 18 September 2002, and the inaugural Annual General Meeting was held on 6 November 2002.
HCA was evaluated after its first year of operation. The article below - Building an Effective Voice for Health Consumers in South Australia - appeared in Health Issues 81, Summer 2004. It summarises the evaluation findings, focussing on the benefits and achievements of HCA and areas that required additional attention.
Building an Effective Voice for Health Consumers in South Australia
HCA was established in 2002 as the peak body for health consumers, and is funded by the South Australian Minister for Health through SA Health. As an independent alliance of health consumers and health consumer organisations, we work with our members and supproters to achieve our vision of Consumers at the heart of health care.
A strong and effective voice for the promotion and protection of health consumer wellbeing and rights, HCA promotes health equity and provides systemic advocacy to inform, shape and sustain consumer centred care. We believe that consumer engagement results in better planning and policy-making and hence better health outcomes and community wellbeing.
As a peak body, HCA seeks to promote and strengthen the consumer voice and promote consumer leadership. An important role of HCA is promoting the policy and practice of consumer engagement across the SA health care sector, including public, private and non-government service providers.
Health Consumers Alliance of SA (HCA) is the peak body for health consumers and health consumer organisations. We seek to promote and strengthen the voices, wellbeing, rights and leadership of health consumers.
HCA supports the participation, attendance and contribution of health consumers on a range of local and state committees of Commonwealth, State and Local governments as well as other non- government organisations.
We present how consumers may feel and think about certain issues.
Promote consumer voice in health policy.
Enable connections to broader consumer and community networks, in order to share
current users’ experiences, wider than just their own personal experience.
We work with our members and supporters to achieve our vision: Consumers at the centre of health in South Australia.
We are a member-based, independent, not-for-profit organisation, funded by SA Health.
Who are we?
Health Consumers Alliance of SA Inc (HCA) was established in 2002 as the peak health consumer organisation in South Australia. We are a member-based, independent, not-for-profit organisation, funded by SA Health.
We work with our members and supporters to achieve our vision:
Consumers at the centre of health in South Australia.
Health consumers are people who use, or are potential users of health services, including their family and carers.
What do we do?
HCA’s mission is to engage consumers and health services to achieve high quality, safe, consumer-centred care for all South Australians.
We seek to promote and strengthen the voices, wellbeing, rights and leadership of health consumers.
We advocate that consumer engagement policy and practice is embedded across the SA health care system. This includes public, private and non-government health service providers.
We believe that consumer engagement results in better planning and policy-making. This leads to better health outcomes and community wellbeing.
HCA’s Strategic Directions 2017 – 2020
1. We lead health consumer engagement across all levels: individual, service and system.
Outcome: Consumers influence health at all levels.
2. We lead systemic advocacy and policy to shape consumer-centred care.
Outcome: Consumers inform health policy, planning, design, delivery, measurement and evaluation.
3. We provide information, learning and development to build the skills of consumers and health services.
Outcomes: Consumers have access to accurate health information.
Consumers and health services have the skills to effectively partner.
4. We develop our people, culture and systems to be an effective and thriving organisation.
Outcome: Health consumers have an effective, thriving and sustainable organisation in South Australia.
For more details, see our Strategic Directions 2017 - 2020.
Health Consumers Alliance of SA Inc (HCA) is an incorporated association, governed and controlled by a Board elected by HCA's membership. As a not-for-profit organisation, we are recognised by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) as a Health Promotion Charity.
HCA’s members are health consumers and health consumer organisations. HCA is therefore a consumer-led organisation.
The Board comprises a Chairperson, a Deputy Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary and six Board members. Of the 10 member Board, seven are elected directly by the full membership at a general meeting. The other positions are known as "sector representatives" and the Board may appoint up to three people with suitable sector experience, knowledge or expertise.
The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson are elected directly by the membership, while the Treasurer and Secretary are appointed by the Board.
Board members are appointed for a two-year term.
For more information, please refer to HCA's Constitution, Objects and Rules.
HCA's Board has adopted a Code of Conduct as a public declaration of the principles of good conduct and standards of behaviour they have agreed to demonstrate as individuals, when carrying out their role as a Board member.
Annual Reports
Strategic Directions
HCA’s Strategic Directions 2017 - 2020 were signed off by the Board on 24 October 2016, following consultation with members and other stakeholders between April and October 2016.
HCA Strategic Directions 2017 - 2020
Sixty-four individuals representing members, organisational members and stakeholders provided feedback and advice to HCA through an online survey held in April and May 2016. Six key informant interviews were also conducted with executives and leaders in the health sector.
The results informed the Draft Strategic Directions 2017 – 2020, prepared by the Board and HCA staff. HCA members provided valuable feedback on the draft document during the September 2016 members forum. Member feedback was also invited through an online forum.
You can view the summary of consultations in 2016 below.
Summary of 2016 Strategic Directions Consultation
HCA’s previous Strategic Directions are also available below.
HCA Strategic Directions 2012-16
Our mission at Health Consumers Alliance of SA Inc (HCA) is to engage consumers and health services to achieve quality, safe, consumer-centred care for all South Australians.
HCA calls upon health consumers in South Australia, as well as health consumer organisations, to help us have a stronger voice to inform our advocacy. We encourage you to become members of HCA. Your membership will help strengthen the influence of consumers in South Australia and nationally. It will also ensure that our unique and diverse perspectives continue to shape health policy, planning, research, service delivery and evaluation.
The benefits of individual membership include:
• being eligible as a HCA-nominated Consumer Representative on health-related committees.
• having access to induction, training and support as a consumer advocate.
• being eligible for selection to attend special events as a HCA Representative.
• receiving invitations to attend HCA-hosted events, forums, workshops and member-only events.
• having voting rights at the HCA Annual General Meeting, where you can nominate HCA Board members.
• receiving ongoing information on consumer advocate opportunities and health policy developments, via our fortnightly eNews.
• receiving invitations to participate in shaping HCA’s priorities and Strategic Directions.
The benefits of organisational membership include:
• listing your organisation on the HCA website, with a link to your website.
• have the opportunity to submit stories and consumer information for publication to our Consumer Advocates Network HCA’s fortnightly eNews, website, and social media platforms.
• receiving invitations to attend HCA-hosted events, forums and workshops.
HCA welcomes your membership, to assist us to achieve our vision of consumers at the centre of health in South Australia.
Our membership fees for 2017/18 are:
Individual: $20
Individual Concession: $5
Associate (non-voting): $50
Organisational: Income under $50,000: $35
Organisational: Income $50,001 - $100,000: $70
Organisational: Income $100,001 - $200,000: $90
Organisational: Income $200,001 - $500,000: $150
Organisational: Income over $500,000: $350
Sign up for Individual Membership here.
Sign up for Organisation Membership here.
Sign up for Associate Membership here.
Subcategories
HCA Board
HCA Board Updates - 2018
HCA Board update September 2018
HCA Board Update February 2018
HCA Board Updates - 2017
HCA Board Communique February 2017
Board Member Profiles
*listed in order of office bearing positions, then alphabetically
HCA Staff
We have a small, but energetic and committed team at HCA who work to support our members and Consumer Advocates, and ensure there is a strong consumer voice in the planning, delivery, review and monitoring of health services in South Australia.
HCA Consumer Advocates
A HCA consumer advocate is a person who advocates the consumer perspective and has the requisite experience to speak as an informed consumer (e.g. Statewide Clinical Networks, GP Plus Networks). A consumer advocates program has been developed by HCA as a way of encouraging and organizing the participation of consumers, and the representation of their interests, in health care decision making.
The program is a process for selecting and supporting consumer advocates or representatives, who then act in a formal capacity to provide perspectives to decision makers and policy developers in the health sector. Government and non-government organisation contact HCA seeking consumer representatives.
Consumer advocate positions are advertised through HCA's Consumer Advocate Vacancies page, our eNews and the Consumer Opportunity newsletter.
Overall, the program is a vital part of promoting the voices of health consumers to policy and decision-makers.
HCA offers support and training for consumer advocates and encourages application from those with relevant experience to apply.
HCA'S SYSTEMIC ADVOCACY FRAMEWORK
Latest news
Workplace Fatigue and Bullying in South Australian Hospitals and Health Services
The Parliamentary Committee on Occupational Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation is conducting an inquiry into Workplace Fatigue and Bullying in South Australian Hospitals and Health Services. HCA was invited to make a submission in contribution to the inquiry. Studies have shown that health services working effectively and using a person-centred care approach can lead to improved workforce attitudes and job satisfaction, decreased emotional stress, decreased workforce turnover, and absenteeism and improved overall workforce wellbeing.
Read our submission here
Flinders UniversityProposed Caring Futures Institute
HCA, along with industry stakeholders and consumer and community representatives and organisations, was invited to participate in a workshop to discuss a proposed Caring Futures Institute. The proposed vision of the Institute is to create the first ever fully dedicated research institute for the study of self-care and caring solutions leading to better lives, better communities and better health systems. The Institute foresees four key themes of focus including Better Systems – health and social care systems and processes eg new models of care, new approaches to residential aged care; Better Communities – community involvement and participation eg working with disadvantaged groups, innovative technology; Better Lives – health and wellness eg healthy aging, babies and families, frailty and Better Care – care interventions – eg palliative care, integrated care models, relationship-centred care.
The workshop raised interesting challenges for discussion including establishing strong sustainable community partnerships, innovating funding models, priorities for action and codesign of this proposed new research institute.
HCA will continue to be part of this discussion to support consumer and community engagement and codesign of this new Institute and will provide ongoing information as it progresses. A copy of their brochure can be downloaded here.
Select Committee Inquiry into Health Services in South Australia
HCA hosted a consumer focus group to inform HCA's submission to the Select Committee Inquiry into Health Services in South Australia. The session focused on the importance of primary and preventative health care and ensuring that consumers are engaged from the beginning when health reforms are being developed.
You can read the submission below:
Board Communique
The Board has held its first meeting for 2019 (4 February). Directors and staff have been working out of session since our last meeting (17 December 2018) to progress interim and longer-term business plans. Our plans have changed because our government funding for systemic advocacy ends 30 June 2019. Our planning focus is on both the financial sustainability of the organisation and on maintaining our mission and vision and our commitment to equity in health service access, quality and outcomes.
Our vision: Consumers at the centre of health in South Australia
Our mission: We engage consumers and health services to achieve quality, safe, consumer-centred care for all South Australians.
The Board is very clear that HCA is here to stay and we are thinking well beyond 1 July 2019. We are working with staff to scope opportunities and options. We are also reaching out to stakeholders and supporters. As advised last year, we anticipate calling a Special Meeting of members next month to seek guidance on the options that the Board and staff are proposing.
HCA Training 2019
In 2019 HCA will work with consumers, partner agencies and other stakeholders to develop more focused training modules for consumers on topics such as:
- clinical governance
- health literacy
- document review and
- quality improvement processes and service redesign.
- If you would to participate in this process, please contact Kathy Mickan on 8231 4169 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
One of the changes of not having a core funding base is that we will now be charging for our training, including consumer training. Fees will be kept as low as possible, and opportunities for subsidised training will be made available to consumers who do not have the capacity to pay.
Back to eNews here
Events
Unfinished Business - National Mesh Implant Forum
The National Mesh Implant Forum will be held in Melbourne on Friday April 5, 2019, to consider all aspects of Australia’s mesh implant crisis.
The event will bring together mesh injured consumers, carers, regulators, politicians, health officials and consumer advocates to collaborate to consider best practice treatment models and explore regulatory changes to the way medical devices such as mesh are approved and monitored.
The forum will consider not only the impact of pelvic mesh implants, but the emerging parallel crisis involving men and women who have received mesh implants as treatment for hernia.
It is hosted by the Health Issues Centre, a not-for-profit organisation advocating to ensure the health system serves the best interests of consumers, and jointly convened by State Consumer Health Peak bodies and supported by State Health Departments.
Find out more about the event and register here
Workshop – Draft Second Edition of the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights (the Charter)
Wednesday 6 March 2019
11.30am - 2:30 pm
HCA Adelaide
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care invites consumers to attend a workshop to provide input on the draft Second Edition of the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights (the Charter). A consultation was undertaken in 2018 which sought feedback on how user-friendly and easy to understand the existing Charter is, and how it could be improved. This feedback has informed the draft Second Edition, which will be discussed in detail at the workshop. Feedback will also be sought on the types of resources participants would find helpful when using the Charter. Participants will be provided with introductory information and will be required to complete a short survey prior to the event. Lunch will be provided.
Find out more and register here.
Closing The Gap Day
Wednesday 27 March
11.00am - 3.00pm
Adelaide Showgrounds
Sonder, in partnership with the Adelaide Primary Health Network, is hosting the Closing the Gap Day at the Adelaide Showground. Admission is free for all ages. It aims to bring together people from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to share information and take meaningful action in support of achieving Indigenous health equality by 2030. The event will also feature plenty of free activities for children, including a petting zoo, jumping castle, face painting and much more.
Find out more here.
2019 Choosing Wisely Australia National Meeting
Thursday 30 May 2019
Melbourne
The 2019 annual Choosing Wisely National Meeting will bring together policy makers, consumers and other health care stakeholders for an interactive discussion on the opportunities, challenges, and highlights of the Choosing Wisely initiative as it continues to grow. Early bird registration is open until Thursday 18 April.
Find out more and register here.
Health & Community Services Complaints Commissioner Website Focus Group
Wednesday 30 January 2019
10am – 12pm
HCA Adelaide
HCA is hosting a focus group for the South Australian Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner (HCSCC). The focus group aims to gain consumer feedback on their current website to ensure it is user-friendly.
You can find out more and register here.
Back to eNews here.
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