Health Consumers Aliance of South Australia

Welcome!

Written by HCASA
Wednesday, 09 April 2008
The Health Consumers Alliance Inc of South Australia (HCA) is the not for profit, peak body for health consumers. We have a membership of both individual and organisational members and our common goal is to provide an independent health consumer voice. We aim to: Create an opportunity for health consumers to advocate the consumer perspective; Develop alliances and partnerships with others interested in health consumer issues; Play an active role in the development of policy affecting health consumers; Promote a just and equitable distribution of health resources; Promote greater public discussion about health priorities, services and relevant legislation; Provide education and support for consumers and community groups in their effort to achieve beneficial changes in the health system; Recognise and support the efforts of less powerful social and population groups in SA in addressing their health needs. HCA Submission in response to the Draft Charter of Health & Community Services Rights August 2010 HCA welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Draft Health & Community Services Charter of Rights as it considers the Charter a fundamental aspect of the health care system in South Australia. It is imperative that the Charter reflects the needs and experiences of consumers and carers if it is going to make an impact on the safety and quality of health care in South Australia. From 1 July 2010 the draft HCSCC Charter was widely distributed for consultation. The HCSCC encouraged and proactively sought participation from consumers and carers, health and community service providers, peak bodies, non-government organisations, professional organisations and government departments. To ensure as wide as possible engagement of consumers and carers in the development of HCA’s response to the draft Charter an engagement plan was developed in line with the International Association of Public Participation (iap2) Spectrum of Engagement. This report is a summary of the comments and suggestions received from consumers, carers and/or their representatives. HCA, as the peak body, has distilled this feedback from consumers and carers into a set of recommendations for consideration by the HCSCC. Importantly, there was a general consensus amongst consumers that the SA Charter of Rights not be expressed in such a way that reduces the potency of their Rights as expressed in the Australian Charter. Consumers, therefore, were very concerned that the content of the SA Charter, and the inclusion of community services, does not diminish or “water down” their Rights as consumers of health services. Fundamentally, consumers want to be treated as a person, “holistically”, and as a unique individual, and consumers see this “culture of care” as the foundation of safe, quality, consumer-centred care. The full report can be accessed by clicking here.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 02 September 2010 )
Read more...