tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.comments2012-05-29T18:53:16.521+10:00Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454688572267246069noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-80355293193261873722011-12-15T06:58:33.902+11:002011-12-15T06:58:33.902+11:00This was an exceptional and interesting article it was very informative and insightful about <a href="http://www.healthplanexplorer.com/blog/group-health-insurance/elective-health-care%20=" rel="nofollow">elective healthcare </a> it was very informative and interesting to read the different material you posted so keep it up.Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03997053647718462235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-35565262945931019292011-11-17T14:41:13.489+11:002011-11-17T14:41:13.489+11:00Many thanks for the warm welcome.<br /> look forward to meeting the rest of the Board members and all involved with the Association.<br />Kind regards<br /><br />Therese FindlayGEOTUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08468929527800481670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-13249534775860413572011-10-10T11:19:33.277+11:002011-10-10T11:19:33.277+11:00I know this is a contentious issue and always will be, but I believe that even our current laws leave plenty of room for potential abuse. Honest and open discussion is needed, with compassionate examination of individual cases.gmbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12930153647843686772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-39730331687352521632011-08-25T06:52:07.518+10:002011-08-25T06:52:07.518+10:00Yes I agree. Navigation of the health system continues to be one of the biggest issues for consumers. This is one of the issues we are are working with the Dental Program on.<br />There is also a health services directory under construction. HCCA is providing input to this. We are very keen to have eligibility criteria included in this so that people can search for services they are eligible to access.Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454688572267246069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-84414089574921516522011-08-24T19:35:30.547+10:002011-08-24T19:35:30.547+10:00I think dental awareness programs should be done more frequent as people are somehow not well informed on how this works. Local health offices should find more ways to reach people so they would how to maximize their benefits from it. ~<a href="http://www.healthcampus.com/dental/" rel="nofollow">dental ce</a>johana marizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13755023129454809700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-73073408420057369882011-07-21T06:07:06.281+10:002011-07-21T06:07:06.281+10:00What a fantastic article Darlene. Thank you for sharing. It sounds like a really great conference. I imagine there was so much rich experience in the room. I will share with HCQ!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15728649409568853691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-3123094696590527382011-06-06T15:18:27.718+10:002011-06-06T15:18:27.718+10:00we are very pleased that Kerry Burton has joined the HCCA team as the Administration Officer.<br />We have a full complement and are happily working to improve health services for our community.Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454688572267246069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-65693492283440296882011-03-02T10:34:31.333+11:002011-03-02T10:34:31.333+11:00We have had a very good response to the advertisements for this vacancy. we received over 20 applications and it was a strong field. We will interview next week and look forward to announcing the results and introducing a new HCCA team member to you.Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454688572267246069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-23932391502497558032010-03-29T14:36:45.679+11:002010-03-29T14:36:45.679+11:00Hi Val<br />We are certainly concerned that the cost to build a new hospital and then maintain three public hospitals will place even more pressure on the government&#39;s budget and may result in a diversion of funds from community based services.<br />We share your concern about the staffing levels. The ACT Government does have a workforce development plan in place however we are unsure if this would be sufficent to address the increased need for health professilonals.<br />DarleneDarlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454688572267246069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-13990263744923172782010-03-28T12:54:34.293+11:002010-03-28T12:54:34.293+11:00I heard John Stanhope on Friday, and really felt that his statement was more by way of a threat to Mark Coleridge. If he is serious, I wonder where he thinks he is going to get people to staff a third hospital. Calvary Public Hospital is already understaffed, and many of those who are working on the public wards are inexperienced. The food is disgusting and nutritionally inadequate - obviously because of having to fit into a small budget. Is that what we could look forward to with ever stretching dollars in our health system?<br />Val Leevallee39http://www.blogger.com/profile/03325062440441864744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-59314604554695021422009-11-01T20:04:46.520+11:002009-11-01T20:04:46.520+11:00In a sense I agree with acahill, but it is useful to be able to understand that the lexicon is specifically designed to exclude the Consumer. &quot;Health Literacy&quot; (the new expression for &quot;plain English&quot;) can only help us. I agree that they &quot;should learn to speak in plain English&quot;. But they won&#39;t. Clinicians have used this to maintain their position of power and prestige. <br />Germaine Greer&#39;s strength many years ago was that women needed education to learn the language of power to empower women. <br />Likewise for other marginalised groups. I do not believe that any one is more marginalised than a Health Consumer in the Public Health System. <br />Clinicians (medical, nursing and allied health) are endeavoring to exclude us as much as possible. The complicated Health Complaints System is a case in point - it could only have been designed to dissuade a complainant from persisting. Without the language, we are more disadvantaged.<br /><br />And it is one area that needs updating because it is an area that is constantly changing. I do agree that &quot;clinicians should be learning how to communicate with their patients&quot;. The arrogance of nursing staff at The Canberra Hospital is a case in point. They have no intention to empower the Consumer. That is why we need updated health literacy.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13922083845248742142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-88534127213540868192009-10-29T22:22:22.726+11:002009-10-29T22:22:22.726+11:00Hi Darlene and others,<br /><br />I&#39;m not sure why you are opposing the sale of CHH when the outcome will be no different from the current arrangements. <br /><br />The only difference in the running of CHH will be the name on the land title. CHH will continue to be a publicly funded and public palliative care facility, conducted by the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary. The absolute only difference is that the LCM&#39;s will own the buildings and the land. They are required to continue to run a public palliative care facility which they are committed to doing. They will not be allowed to sell the land or buildings for some other purpose.<br /><br />They are really good at palliative care: this is their specialty and the source of great support in the community as they have cared for many Canberrans (religious and non religious alike).<br /><br />I&#39;m at a loss to figure out why anyone would oppose this.<br /><br />The issues that have been raised by Cardinal Pelle and Archbishop Colleridge are divisive, and frankly insulting to those who work in non sectarian health care facilities.<br /><br />The people who don&#39;t want a &quot;private palliative care facility&quot; are being cute: it will not be a private facility. It will continue to be a public facility owned (different) and operated (same) by the LCMs funded (same) by the ACT government.<br /><br />Let&#39;s have another look at this.<br />Regards,<br />Anne.acahillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854126210703343308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-61268404977532274342009-10-29T22:12:44.361+11:002009-10-29T22:12:44.361+11:00I am of the view that clinicians (medical, nursing and allied health) need to do the health consumer course, rather than consumers doing the health literacy course. They should learn to speak in plain English, rather than beat around the bush. Terms that have been used on me include:<br /><br />&quot;this is a serious illness&quot; which means you are cactus. The disease is terminal and you need to get your affairs in order.<br /><br />&quot;have you thought about what you are going to do?&quot; meaning you are cactus and what you&#39;ve got is going to kill you sooner than later.<br /><br />Etc.<br /><br />So, I don&#39;t think we should be heaping stuff onto consumers about learning health literacy. Rather, I think clinicians should be learning how to communicate with their patients.<br />Regards,acahillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854126210703343308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-33183989894651799482009-07-18T13:48:49.480+10:002009-07-18T13:48:49.480+10:00Engaging with consumers is apparently an art form. Let&#39;s hope that forums like this one can enhance the ability of advocates for the consumer to take the prize for excellence on each and every occasion that there is engagement with the health hierarchy.Garpethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10183096078185675266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-32832132157944952942009-04-20T17:53:00.000+10:002009-04-20T17:53:00.000+10:00Thanks Fiona, I have made the change you requested.Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454688572267246069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-35946600580488621932009-04-16T06:39:00.000+10:002009-04-16T06:39:00.000+10:00Fiona Armstrong asked to make this correction to the story above: <br /><br />In the fourth paragraph, where it says: “And 43% of Australians have needed dental care but did not see a dentist because they couldn’t afford it.”<br /><br />It should say: “And 43% of people in Australia from below average income groups could not afford dental care.”Farmstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03767229344441083954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-82585859972938868732008-10-08T07:26:00.000+11:002008-10-08T07:26:00.000+11:00Dear Darlene<BR/><BR/>Thank you for you contribution to this document it is very much appreciated<BR/><BR/>Chris MitchellChristopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06840720725529411675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-84249993237631476812008-08-04T19:45:00.000+10:002008-08-04T19:45:00.000+10:00Rosemary Lissimore from the Tuggeranong Commuity Council sent in the following comments regarding the closure of the Wanniassa Medical Centre:<BR/><BR/>The news of the closure of the Wanniassa Medical Centre, took us all by surprise we were in shock when we first heard of this, especially the short notice for the doctors and the patients. I believe that the community needs answers to the following questions:<BR/><BR/>How is this Super Clinic going to handle the continuity of the patient’s health, if you cannot make appointments with your own Doctor?<BR/><BR/>Do the Doctors want to move or are they being forced to?<BR/><BR/>What is going to happen to the centre when the medical centre closes?<BR/><BR/>How is one courtesy car being provided from the Phillip Super Centre going to help all the patients from the Wanniassa practice?<BR/><BR/>How many hours will the patients have to wait at the Super Clinic before they see the Doctor on duty for that day?<BR/><BR/>We cannot dictate the rules of sale of this site, but the owner could have shown more consideration to the patients. Now is the time for the ACT Government to come to the rescue of the patients, before the election. First we had “super schools” which led to school closures. We now have “super medical centres” which are now closing what next? Could it be after the election we have a “super government”.<BR/><BR/>Rosemary Lissimore<BR/>President Tuggeranong Community Council<BR/>4.8.06Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454688572267246069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-81856471681473930442008-07-24T15:43:00.000+10:002008-07-24T15:43:00.000+10:00Hi Catherine<BR/>Thanks for your comments. I agree with you your comments on health literacy. HCCA will be doing some more work around this issue.<BR/>I also agree that we need to develop the structures to support consumers as researchers within the existing system. <BR/>Interestingly this is happening in the community via the social web. The site, patients like me, is doing this to some degree. It is all about providing "a better, more effective way to capture valuable results and share them with patients, health care professionals, and industry organizations that are trying to treat the disease". I'd encourage you to have a look and I'd be interested in your thoughts.<BR/>http://www.patientslikeme.com/<BR/>They have an openness philosophy and believe that sharing our health care experiences and outcomes is good because when we share their data, collaboration on a global scale becomes possible.Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454688572267246069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-79684902201754414942008-07-24T14:57:00.000+10:002008-07-24T14:57:00.000+10:00Thanks for this overview Darlene. I was disappointed to have not been able to attend this session on SCIPPS but am pleased to read that many of the key issues for consumers have been raised.<BR/>Of particular interest and concern for me are the issues relating to 'health literacy'. In reference to these concerns I draw attention to the poignant remark from the SCIPPS research manager [that you posted at the end of your entry]. In her letter to you she referred to consumers as 'the experts'. I wholeheartedly agree though, I continue to be confounded by the fact that the government is investing an enormous amount of money into this study - but where are the consumers who are being paid, and otherwise supported, as researchers in SCIPPS? Am I alone in believing that genuine and lasting change in our health system will hinge upon consumers supported as researchers themselves - informing and supporting each other?Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03005094127853685994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-5686313606153122452008-06-16T13:37:00.000+10:002008-06-16T13:37:00.000+10:00Catherine emailed me in response to this post. I am posting comments on her behalf: <BR/>After a deep sigh of disappointment [and frustration] at the latest political decision made by the AMA [with its decision to withdraw its services in the 'NT Intervention'] I'm left to wonder and hope that this could be a timely opportunity for our Federal Government to adopt an alternative model of health care, such as the NZ model of primary health care as referenced above, and truly make a sustainable difference to the health and wellbeing of our aboriginal fellow citizens. <BR/><BR/>Whilst the Extended Primary Care model that has developed in Australia does offer some hope of change, with its more comprehensive model of health care, the inequities that prevail in our existing medical/ GPcentric model of care will always leave us, as the consumers, at the mercy of the latest political decision of the AMA. <BR/><BR/>Maybe, when the AMA acknowledges that their place is as one member in a partnership of health care provision, will we finally see some equitable and sustainable progress made in the health of our nation as a whole. This change, I believe, will only occur if it is directed by genuine consumer demand - and not a political agenda!Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454688572267246069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-20433470167667231492008-06-15T12:36:00.000+10:002008-06-15T12:36:00.000+10:00Thanks so much for the kind words! BTW, I just did this presentation on healthcare and web2.0 - thought it might be of interest<BR/>http://bethkanter.wikispaces.com/healthkanterhttp://profile.typekey.com/kanter/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-23643982257352513402008-06-04T12:50:00.000+10:002008-06-04T12:50:00.000+10:00Welcome to the blog Ross! <BR/><BR/>I want to thank your for your time and persistence in learning to negotiate the blog with a screen reader. <BR/><BR/>Spending time with you to help you to set up an account was very interesting. Lydele and I both gained valuable insight into how screen readers work and the implications for users.<BR/><BR/>I look forward to reading your comments<BR/><BR/>DarleneDarlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04454688572267246069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-22922318101607755802008-06-04T12:15:00.000+10:002008-06-04T12:15:00.000+10:00test2 exRMrossmortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13226763903139301525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429099722410259200.post-91867928532963012802008-06-04T12:11:00.000+10:002008-06-04T12:11:00.000+10:00test verson ex RMrossmortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13226763903139301525noreply@blogger.com