Information for consumer representatives

Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures. But authorities can’t, and shouldn’t do it all on their own. It requires a coordinated cross-Government, industry and community response that involves consumers at the table. Health Consumers NSW continues to advocate, and we continue to work to ensure that consumers are being involved in key decisions. Our aim is, now more than ever, to support the inclusion of consumer representatives in the local development of COVID-19 strategy and communication.

 

Current Health Consumer NSW COVID-19 engagement activities and events

Amplify – your voice with Health Consumers NSW

With the whole world currently going online due to social distancing and the pandemic, we have fast-tracked our new online engagement platform too. Amplify offers you the opportunity to engage, ask questions and share experiences or opinions on important topics for health consumers in NSW.

By registering for Amplify, you will be able to participate online and register to attend face-to-face/zoom workshops as they come up.

Make your voice heard. Register now.

 

COVID-19: Consumer Representative Hub

The COVID-19: Consumer Representative Hub is a closed group on our new Amplify online engagement platform. Our aim is to support health consumer representatives in NSW to contribute to information sharing, problem-solving and practical actions that support the response to COVID-19.

Use your consumer rep skills to help gather insights and devise solutions by joining our online Consumer Rep Hub for COVID-19 now! If you currently work – or have recently worked – with health services in NSW to improve systems, experiences or health outcomes for consumers, you can apply to become part of this group.

 

How are you managing your health during COVID-19?

Our lives have been impacted hugely by COVID-19. How are you managing your health? Have you used telehealth to access your health care professionals? Do you have any tips that you can share with others here?

Thank our health care workers – leave a personal message

During this global COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers are working harder than ever to look after our communities, while putting themselves at risk.

We invite you to ‘Thank Our Health Workers’ here.

 

Current engagement outcomes: Our COVID-19 Consumer Leaders Taskforce and the COVID-19 Consumer Representative Hub have published their first report that outlines a set of principles, as developed by health consumer representatives, in response to the challenges faced by NSW Health with protecting staff, patients, families, and all who enter the facilities, from COVID-19: www.hcnsw.org.au/visiting-guide

They also have an upcoming webinar event on telehealth for health consumer representatives. You can register here: https://amplify.hcnsw.org.au/consumer-rep-hub-event

More information

Health Consumers Queensland – Great decision-making guide if you are unsure about whether or not to download the COVIDsafe app from the Australian Government.

If you are running a health consumer group or peer-support group, here an article on ‘How To Run A Peer Support Group From Home During The COVID-19 Lockdown’ from Creaky Joints Australia: https://creakyjoints.org.au/support/run-a-peer-support-group-during-covid-19/

 

Notice: We have currently stopped any face-to-face engagement activities and events in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and we encourage all our health consumer representatives to not attend face-to-face committee meetings or other forums and events. We are suggesting to all our partners and stakeholders to explore other ways for health consumer representatives to participate in current consultations (eg. teleconference, videoconference, separate phone meetings…).