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 said today.

Mr Robertson said today State Cabinet had approved 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 represent 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.

“They will be given skills to effectively participate directly in roles regarding service development and improving the quality of health care delivery.

“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 and local Health Community Councils.

“This initiative delivers on recommendations for a Queensland health consumer body by Mr Peter Forster’s Queensland Health System Review Report.

“It also honours the Beattie Government’s commitment to giving ordinary Queenslanders a say in the development of policies and new initiatives to improve the health system.”

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 with the view to moving towards a more independent support organisation in the future.

Mr Robertson said the State Government had consulted widely with the community about the establishment of a Queensland health consumers body.

“Queensland Health conducted public forums in 11 health service districts throughout Queensland and received 150 written submissions in response to a discussion paper released in August 2006.

“There was strong community support for a body that would give consumers a strong voice in health planning and support for those Queenslanders who lodge complaints about health service outcomes.”

Media: Paul Lynch 3234 1190