We've launched a new website and a set of fact sheets about the new prescribing rules for some common, chronic illnesses.

In September, the government will be introducing 60-day prescriptions for the supply of some medications that you might be taking for chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, epilepsy, heart conditions, cancer treatments, asthma and many more.

There has been some confusion in the media about the changes, and these factsheets will help provide information for consumers about the new rules. Head to the website to download the factsheets. You can read our media release here.

CHF CEO, Elizabeth Deveny said that having a greater supply of medication on hand should lead to more people taking their medicines as prescribed and this has been proven to lead to better health outcomes.

“These resources provide answers to many of the questions that consumers have right now, and CHF will continue to add to the site as more details come to hand," Dr Deveny said.

CHF is putting together a response to the Standing Committee looking into Diabetes in Australia. If you have lived experience or care for someone with diabetes and/or obesity, we would like to hear from you. 

The Committee is interested in the broad causes and risk factors of all types of diabetes and obesity, and how these two conditions are connected. They would like to hear from people with lived experience about prevention, diagnosis and management of diabetes and/or obesity. Complete this form to Express your Interest in the consultation.  

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Policy Team at [email protected].

The Quality & Patient Care Committee and Research Committee is seeking nominations for one consumer advisor for the Dermatologists Sydney at The Skin Hospital Darlinghurst & Westmead.This will be a formal CHF nomination process. 

The role on this research committee gives you the opportunity to participate in various aspects of healthcare service provision, including governance, design, measurement, and evaluation.

The Consumer Representative is a valued member of The Skin Hospital (TSH)’s Quality and Patient Committee, providing the patient and carer perspective and contributing to the decision-making process.

Closing: 23 June 2023

The Australian Teletrial Program Steering Committee is seeking two (2) consumer advisor nominations for the Australian Teletrial Program National Office Queensland Health.

Consumers should have had experience participating in a clinical trial, (or have had a close relative who has), come from  QLD, Vic, TAS, NT, SA or WA, be from rural, regional or remote areas who have had to navigate the health system, and have had previous experience as a consumer representative.

Closing: 23 June 2023

This month we recognised Reconciliation Week, held from 27 May – 3 June. The dates mark two historical and significant milestones – the 1967 referendum and the 1992 High Court Mabo decision.

This year will be another significant milestone in the journey for the formal recognition of sovereignty and self-determination for Australia’s First Nations peoples.

The Voice is one of three key elements from the Uluru Statement from the Heart: A Voice enshrined in the Constitution, Truth and Treaty. 

Consumers Health Forum has long supported the Uluru Statement from the Heart and in the past, made appeals to Government to take effective steps towards constitutional change. We released a Statement in 2019, pointing out that non-health factors such as income and social status heavily impact health care outcomes. This is why we are strongly supporting the Yes campaign.

• Explainer about reconciliation – from Reconciliation Australia
• More about Referendums and the Constitution from the Australian Electoral Commission
• Support a Voice to Parliament – from Reconciliation Australia
• Professor Megan Davis on the reasoning behind a Voice to Parliament
• Uluru Statement from the Heart – website and in plain text. 
• Uluru Statement Supporter Kit
• Healing Foundation (for Stolen Generations)
• How to talk about a Voice to Parliament – Guide
• Five options for Constitutional Reform and what Australians think about them
• Voice to Parliament online course
• Collection of resources from Voice from the Heart Alliance
• Share our Pride
• T-shirts and merch

Digital health has become a vital part of a modern, accessible healthcare system designed to meet the needs of all Australians.

The My Health app is a secure and convenient way to access My Health Record on your mobile phone. 

The app is growing in popularity, and this can be attributed to efforts in sharing information with networks and communities.

The Australian Digital Health Agency is seeking consumer contributions to help shape future enhancements and would appreciate your help in sharing with your contacts this short survey.

Please forward this message out to your contacts and encourage them to fill out the Friends and Family Survey. The survey is now open for 6 weeks.

The Assistive Technology for All (ATFA) Alliance informs a campaign seeking to secure equitable access to assistive technology for people with disability who are who are not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The campaign proposes to establish a funded national assistive technology program and Consumers Health Forum is a signatory. 

Explore how Assisted Technology aids everyday Australians lead productive lives in this short video and why some people miss out - or read more here. 

Watch this webinar discussion from 27 April on the next steps in the campaign.  

For details on the funding goal, head to Appendix A in the campaign Terms of Reference

Do you know of a knowledge gap on a health issue, and/or of a topic for which research is underfunded?

The National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NRMRC) has identified a gap in research proposals. There is a lack of consumer insight into the type of projects identified and approved for funding. Can you help? If there 

Community Research Priorities Portal allows consumers, community representatives and health organisations to propose health and medical research topics for consideration for its Targeted Calls for Research (TCR) scheme. Submissions are reviewed to assess whether a TCR would stimulate research that would benefit the health of Australians.  

Consumers and advocacy groups can make proposals which could be accepted and offered as potential projects OR partner with researchers on research projects. 

The current cycle closes Friday 30 June 2023. Submit your proposal through the portal before 17:00 AEST that day.

Celebrate the achievements of the Health Studies Australia National Data Asset (HeSANDA) and launch Health Data Australia for the Australian health research community. 

This is a public event so please register via the Eventbrite

HeSANDA Program Showcase and Health Data Australia Launch Registration.

Date: Tues 18 July 2023 13:00 - 14:00 (ACST) 

Location: Hybrid - online and in-person at SAHMRI (Adelaide)

Speakers: 

• Professor Steve Wesselingh (NHMRC, SAHMRI, AAHMS)
• Ms Wendy Keech (Health Translation SA)
• Dr Adrian Burton (ARDC)
• Dr Kristan Kang (ARDC)

Consumer representatives are nominated for national committees to ensure that the views and interests of health consumers are represented at the national level. CHF supports consumer representatives by providing resources in a number of ways. Find out how to become a Consumer Rep    

As a member of CHF you will be kept up to date on key health reform issues through our publications and member alerts. CHF membership enables you to influence the national health agenda by contributing to CHF surveys and polls, consultations and campaigns. Members can draw on CHF position statements, media releases and policy submissions to inform your work and advocacy.