The Health Consumers Alliance was established in 2002 flowing from the ‘Healthy Voices’ project auspiced by the South Australian Council of Social Services.

Over time, the HCA has worked to develop an office and staffing profile to assist our activities. Our office is currently located in the heart of the city, on the third floor of the Council On The Ageing building on Flinders St, Adelaide.

Our first three year Service Agreement was with the South Australian Department of Health and was signed in October 2004, establishing the HCA as the peak body for health consumers in South Australia. As a peak body, the HCA undertakes many activities in promoting consumer participation as well as being a vehicle for consumers to voice their perspectives to health planners and decision makers.

These activities include:

• Involving consumers in policy development and health care decision making
• Organising forums on relevant health topics
• Submission writing and legislative review
• Supporting consumers to develop skills in advocacy and representation
• Advocacy activities with decision makers
• Community information projects which raise consumer awareness
• Working with other peak bodies in the health and welfare sector

The organisation receives income from its membership as well as consumer projects and will update our list of projects and resources as we take on other activities.

Our constitution is available here for readers.

Staff
Stephanie Miller, Executive Director
sfmiller@hcasa.asn.au

Claire Aberlé, Executive Assistant/Office Manager
caberle@hcasa.asn.au

Diana O’Neil, Project Officer – Research and Policy
doneil@hcasa.asn.au

Emily Blackman, Project Officer - Mental Health
eblackman@hcasa.asn.au

Sheila Brown, Project Officer – Consumer Engagement
sbrown@hcasa.asn.au  

Mag Merrilees, Finance and Administration Officer
mmerrilees@hcasa.asn.au