Health Consumers Tasmania

24/06/2025

Last week, HCT was proud to announce a new award which honours the impact that staff in health services and other organisations or groups that engage with consumer representatives in health are having.

This award is for those that engage who go the extra mile to work with consumer representatives in meaningful ways—often in challenging or constrained environments.

It is not about perfection, but acknowledges thoughtful actions, big or small, that make an impact: inviting people in, listening with respect, sharing power, or simply creating space for a voice to be heard.

The Hats Off Award is our way of saying: we see your effort, and it matters.

At our event last week we also announced the very first winner of this award.

Drumroll please.....

We are incredibly pleased to 'tip our hat' to Rebecca Essex, Health Literacy Officer at Public Health Services, Department of Health, Tasmania

Rebecca is a person that we have heard from countless people the positive experiences they’ve had in working with her, particularly with the Health Literacy Consumer Advisory Group. This group was established to support the Health Literacy Action Plan Review.

Rebecca is a person that centres the voice and experiences of health consumers and seeks ways to ensure that they are supported and engaged in every way possible. People have felt welcomed and able to have impact through working with her.

Not only have consumer representatives had positive experiences, but as an organisation it is a partnership that we truly value and appreciate.

We were grateful to have Sue Newman, all round amazing human and consumer representative from the Health Literacy Consumer Advisory Group present her with the award. Thank you so much, Sue!

Congratulations Rebecca, so well deserved!

If you have had a great experience as a consumer representative or lived experience advocate on a service committee or group having an impact in health, please check out our website for details on how you can nominate someone that's made a real difference for you.

https://healthconsumerstas.org.au/

20/06/2025

📢 Voices for Health Summit 2025

A huge thank you to the more than 120 people who brought this day to life from those who shared lived experiences to those who listened, questioned, and reflected.

Thanks to the organisations that came to share about themselves and their opportunities for people to make change including:

- Mental Health Lived Experience Tasmania

- David Clements from Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Ahpra

- Dimitra Papavassiliou and the team from Menzies Institute for Medical Research University of Tasmania

- Health Literacy Team Department of Health, Tasmania

Guided by MC Lucy St Jack, five sessions and one stunning live graphic recording by Fiona Miller (image 1) we explored:

- The 20 Year Preventative Health Strategy and how communities are leading wellbeing efforts

- What builds (or breaks) trust in health information

- How consumer voices influence decisions

- The dynamics of power and what access and inclusion really means

- And most importantly: what's next?

18/06/2025

What a privilege it is to work with this phenomenal team of people!

Ellen

ID: An image of HCT staff at Cataract Gorge. The amazing Shanthini was not present (you were missed, Shanthini!)
Top (L-R) Hannah, Laura, Simon, Maree
Bottom (L-R) Karlyn, Bec, Sheridan (kneeling), Ellen, Kat, Megan, Lou, Deb

17/06/2025

What a day it was yesterday at our first Voices for Health Summit! More than 120 people came together to connect and share their knowledge.

We're looking forward to sharing some of what we heard over the next number of days. What is clear is that the consumer and community voice in health must be supported and listened to to see the meaningful change that all of us deserve.

Thank you again to everyone that attended and contributed.

ID: An image of connection points. There are people talking across tables and banners behind for different groups.

29/05/2025

📢-HOBART TRAINING-

There are a few places left in our health consumer representation training for patients, carers, community members happening next Friday at the Moonah Arts Centre.

Please register via this link. We hope to see you there!

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/health-consumer-representation-training-moonah-tickets-1349360576809?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

ID: An image of a workshop with a person from behind. There is text to one side that says: Health Consumers Representation Training for patients, carers and community members. Moonah Arts Centre, 23-27 Albert Road, Moonah TAS 7009z Friday 6 June 1.30 - 4.30pm

Free Training - Health Consumer Representation and Engagement- For Patients, Carers, Health Consumers & Community Members

19/05/2025

A huge thank you to the amazing people who joined us at the Tasmanian Health Senate last week. We had a number of health consumers / community members involved, including Kati, Jason and Drew who spoke on a panel about consumer leadership in the 20-Year Preventative Health Strategy.

You showed us how your real-world expertise is driving solutions right here in our communities. You reminded us that strong relationships and connection with each other and with Country are central to health. You also highlighted how essential it is to give community the support and resources they need to do this work and keep people well.

When the people who know their communities best have the opportunity to inform, guide and govern collaboratively, there is the best chance for the 20 Year Preventative Health Strategy to have the impact that is needed for all Tasmanians.

Kati Bruton (they/them) is a non-binary q***r person living in the Far South of lutruwita on lylequonny country. They founded Far South Pride to champion LGBTQIA+ visibility, inclusion, and wellbeing in rural communities.

Jason Smith is an Indigenous fire practitioner who founded Patrula Nayri (Fire good) and is passionate about teaching land holders how to Connect with, Care for and Heal Country through traditional fire practices.

Home for Drew Thomas is Penguin on the North West Coast, a place of great beauty, moderate weather and thin services. He has been involved with the Central Coast Voice for Health group, in particular with the Community Connections Working Group, rolling out the Right Place Initiative on the Central Coast.

ID: An image with three photos depicting Kati (top left – they have short hair and are smiling), Jason (right – he is crouching down on Country) and Drew (bottom left – a close up of Drew, he is smiling and wearing glasses). To the right of the photos is a blue background text that reads “Relationships are at the centre of any health and wellbeing strategy” Community member Ulverstone.

Department of Health, Tasmania

04/05/2025

We have some training opportunities coming up in Launceston and Hobart. These free three-hour introductory sessions are designed for patients, carers or community members interested in getting involved with influencing change in health and also for health staff partnering with health consumers on committees.

Topics covered include:

👉What is consumer representation and why does it matter?
👉Levels of engagement, from consultation to co-design
👉Best practice principles
👉Inclusion and accessibility
👉Common challenges

This will also be an opportunity for you to meet and learn with and from other people interested in improving health services in your region through collaboration.

REGISTER NOW!
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/health-consumers-tasmania-18295849683

Launceston
Combined training - Health Consumers Representation and Engagement
For patients, carers, community members and health staff
Friday, 16 May 2025
The Tramsheds Function Centre

Hobart
Health Consumer Engagement
For health staff or anyone engaging with health consumer representatives
Friday 6 June 2025 (morning)
Moonah Arts Centre

Hobart
Health Consumer Representation
For patients, carers and community members
Friday 6 June 2025 (afternoon)
Moonah Arts Centre

ID: An image of people sitting at a table with butchers paper and pens. The text to the right reads Health Consumer Representation and Engagement Training For health consumers: Launceston - 16 May 2025 Hobart - 6 June 2025 For health staff: Hobart - 6 June 2025

29/04/2025

📢-LAUNCESTON TRAINING-

HCT is holding a combined introductory health consumer representation training for patients, carers, community members and those working in health services engaging consumers in Launceston next month.

Please register via this link. We hope to see you there!

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/health-consumer-representation-training-launceston-tickets-1334839654339?aff=oddtdtcreator

ID: An image of a workshop with a person from behind. There is text to one side that says: Health Consumers Representation Training The Tramsheds Function Centre 4 Invermay Road Launceston. Friday 16 May 9.30am - 12.30pm

25/03/2025

ANNOUNCEMENT - Healthcare Rights and Complaints

Tasmanians having access to information about their rights when accessing health services and understanding complaints processes is essential in improving the safety, quality and accessibility of health services.

HCT was successful in its application for a Healthy Tasmania Healthy Focus grant to co-design sustainable, consumer driven solutions to information gaps in Tasmania regarding healthcare rights and complaints. We are excited to extend upon the work we have been doing over the last number of years.

This work is happening collaboratively with health consumers, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Ahpra, the Office of the Health Complaints Commissioner, Department of Health, Tasmania, Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and community organisations, such as the Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania.

We thank everyone that has committed to this work for their support and look forward to seeing the outcomes.

For full details, please click on the link to read more and find out how you can get involved.

ID: A photo of a woman in a blue top with red hair sitting with her hand on her neck. She appears to be listening.

20/03/2025

Congratulations to Central Coast Voice for Health and Kat Rose for the nomination for a Tasmanian Su***de Prevention Community Network LiFE Award for your work in bringing the Right Place Initiative to the Central Coast.

Thanks to Tasmanian Su***de Prevention Community Network and Relationships Australia Tasmania for a wonderful night.

Check out the story on our website for all the details.

ID: A photo of Ellen MacDonald (left) and Kat Rose (right) at the Tasmanian Su***de Prevention Community Network LiFE Awards. They are smiling and Kat is holding a certificate.

https://healthconsumerstas.org.au/recognition-for-the-right-place/

18/03/2025

HCT is keen to hear from people who are interested in participating in one-on-one interviews about their experience of accessing health services as a person with a higher weight. We want to know what this has been like for Tasmanians and what size inclusive healthcare would look like for you.

This will help inform out advocacy to create a better understanding of the experience of Tasmanian health consumers and what change is needed.

We are also seeking people who may be interested in advocating and representing more publicly in this space to reach out.

Click on the link for details about how to get involved.

https://healthconsumerstas.org.au/weight-bias-in-healthcare/

ID: A teal tile with the HCT logo at the bottom. The text reads "Get Involved! Consumer experiences of weight-bias in healthcare"

30/10/2024

Our Health Priorities Survey is closing soon!

If you would like to have a say about what is most important to you regarding health in Tasmania, please click on the link and let us know. What we hear through this survey (along with other information) helps to inform our advocacy.

ID: A megaphone with a teal background and the HCT logo. The text reads "Have a say!".

https://healthconsumerstas.org.au/tasmanian-health-priorities-2024-2025-survey/