Thank you for being part of Health Consumers Queensland's network and sharing our vision for a health system which:

• delivers quality and safe health services
• values the voice of consumers and carers in how health services are designed and delivered.

Want to get involved?

We help to make this possible by working with Queensland Health and other health organisations to offer consumers and carers a broad range of opportunities to engage right across the system.

New opportunities are added to this eAlert each week and are also available on our website.  We encourage you to apply for these roles to positively influence and improve the health care experience for everyone in Queensland. 

You can also register on here to attend our events and courses. Share your views and develop your knowledge and skills whilst meeting other consumers and staff members who are passionate about genuine and meaningful consumer engagement. 

Need guidance on the reimbursement and remuneration of consumers?

Not sure you've got the right experience? See our top tips for applying for roles.

About Kitchen Table Discussions

Kitchen Table Discussions are a way for consumers and/or carers to lead consultation with their own community.

These community engagement sessions led by local people for local people allow small groups to participate in discussions at a time and place that suits them. The discussions enable health consumers, carers and community members who do not ordinarily participate in healthcare consultation to have their say in a safe and supportive environment.

Full training and support is provided.

Host a Kitchen Table Discussion about the Mental Health Review Tribunal

Closing date:  4:00pm, Friday 30 July 2021

Health Consumers Queensland invites 8 consumers and/or carers to host a discussion with their local community to learn about their understanding of and/or experience of engaging with the Tribunal - before during and after hearings.

The primary purpose of the Tribunal is to review the involuntary status of persons with a mental illness and/or intellectual disability. The Tribunal also provides approval for the performance of electroconvulsive therapy and non-ablative neurosurgical procedures. It is an independent decision-making body under the Mental Health Act 2016 and is not part of any health service or treating team.

This second round of Kitchen Table Discussions will inform the development of the Tribunal’s Lived Experience Engagement Framework, Tribunal Member Engagement Guide, and practice improvement projects within the Tribunal.

We are particularly interested in hearing from you if you identify as or with the following experiences:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Culturally or linguistically diverse
• Young people (or carers of young people)
• Live in a rural or remote area
• Receive or received treatment under a Forensic Order (or your loved one receive or received treatment under a Forensic Order)

Host a Kitchen Table Discussion: Let's 'TALK ABOUT' cancer screening for people living in the Darling Downs and West Moreton region

Closing date:  9am, Thursday 5 August 2021

Health Consumers Queensland invites five consumers or carers living in the Darling Downs and West Moreton region to host a kitchen table discussion with your community network to learn about their experience and knowledge of cancer screening.

The Darling Downs and West Moreton Primary Health Network (PHN) has identified that cancer screening should be an area of focus for this region. Preliminary data for the region has indicated the following:

• Cervical screening participation is still an area of concern
• Bowel screening is also below the national average 
• They have seen a significant reduction in breast and cervical screening rates due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of their 'TALK ABOUT' project, the PHN has contracted Health Consumers Queensland to facilitate these kitchen table discussions to hear from the community about what is working, what can be improved and what is missing in order to improve screening rates.

Your discussions can be held in-person or online between 10-22 August 2021.

Join a Consumer Advisory Group to develop an Adult Obesity Framework

Closing date: 9am Thursday 5 August, 2021

Are you affected by overweight and obesity? Do you have a passion and commitment to improving health outcomes for people who are overweight or obese? 

The Allied Health Professions’ Office of Queensland (within the Department of Health) is offering six health consumer and carer representatives the opportunity to participate in the Consumer Advisory Group as part of the development of a comprehensive framework for early intervention and management of adult obesity.

Starting in late August 2021, successful applicants will offer advice and feedback during the different phases of the project and participating in a series of meetings and workshops to develop pathways and a model of care for people affected by obesity who are already accessing care within the Queensland public health system.

Health care professionals: Share your views on water security and purified recycled water

Closing date EXTENDED: 4pm, Friday, 30 July 2021

Health Consumers Queensland invites 6-10 health professionals in South East Queensland to participate in a 90 minute online discussion about your knowledge of and attitudes towards water security and purified recycled water (to augment drinking water supplies) from a health perspective.

Discussion to be held the week of 9th to 13th August 2021 at a time to be agreed with attendees.

Health Consumers Queensland has been contracted by Seqwater to engage health consumers and health professionals to better understand your knowledge of and attitudes towards water security challenges and planning, in particular, the role of purified recycled water as a new source for drinking water in South East Queensland. Your insights will inform future communication about water security and purified recycled water including

• the key areas of interest and potential concerns health professionals may have in relation to water security and purified recycled water
• what messaging works and doesn’t work to help build awareness and understanding of purified recycled water and how it is made safe to drink
• how health professionals want to receive information about water security and purified recycled water for their own interest and in the interests of their patients.

We are keen to include the voice of local GPs, clinicians and care teams who have patients with chronic health conditions or who may be impacted by water quality.
 

Fundamentals of Consumer Partnerships for Health Consumers

Who is it for?
• Any health consumer representative and carer who has been partnering with health organisations within Queensland and wants to strengthen their partnerships.
•All health consumer representatives and carers within Queensland, regardless of your experience with consumer partnerships.

Session structure and delivery
• 2 x 1 hour online sessions delivered via Zoom Meetings

When
4-5pm, 1 and 2 September 2021

Cost
Free

Fundamentals of Consumer Partnerships for Queensland Health Staff

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We invite you to join our network of Queensland consumers, carers and staff of health organisations.

Our shared focus is creating strong and sustainable consumer partnerships in Queensland. By joining you will become a part of a network of skilled, connected people working together to make the health system the best it can be.