We Are HCCA

HCCA is the peak health consumer advocacy body in the ACT, supporting and developing health consumer perspectives and policy in the Territory for over 30 years. HCCA is an organisation through which everyone can participate in policy, planning and service decisions that affect their health. HCCA works to improve the quality and availability of health services, supports consumers to identify shared priorities about health and represents these views to the ACT Government.

 

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Welcome

  • What's in a name?: I recently read an article based on online-discussions regarding terminology in the health care sector which has given me food for thought.  The discussion was prompted by a post from Stephen McMahon, the CEO of the Irish Patients Association, where he expressed his concern with the use of the word “consumer” instead of “patient”.  McMahon’s argument hinged on the fact that the term “patient” has immediately recognisable connotations of identity, and thus it cannot… 1 day ago
  • Depression in Australia: Recently, the Canberra Times published an article by Julieanne Strachan describing the increasing burden of depression in Australian society. For instance, Australian taxpayers spent over $333 million subsidising antidepressant medication in 2011. The use of antidepressants has increased substantially since 2007, with 13.6 million scripts written by doctors in 2010-2011. In the ACT, doctors issued 169,228 new scripts for antidepressants in 2010-2011, equating to 0.46 scripts per person… 1 day ago
  • 200 Years of the New England Journal of Medicine: If you have a spare 45 minutes, you should check out this online documentary put together by the New England Journal of Medicine, which charts some of the significant advances made in health care over the past 200 years and demonstrates how information reported in journals can translate into progress.At the time of the publication of the Journal’s first issue in 1812, medical knowledge was limited.  There was no understanding of infectious disease and infant and maternal mortality was high. … 2 weeks ago
  • Health Care Consumers' Association Inc: Fauquier Hospital is one of a new group of "patient-centered" health facilities certified by Planetree, focused on meeting more than just people's medical needs. This story shows you that hospital cafeteria's can be places where people choose to eat. 4 days ago
  • Health Care Consumers' Association Inc: Latest newsletter from ACT Medicare Local is online. In this issue: Opioid dependence training for nurses, Discussing death and dying, Specialists and Allied Health now receiving eReferrals, Professional collaboration project, Become an Asthma Management trainer, Day to recognise nurses, Participate in ACTML Clinical Governance Committee,Clinical Emergency Management Workshops, July 22-28, 2012 – National Pain Week, For sale - Autoclave Siltex, GPs may see increase in ADHD patients 1 week ago
  • Health Care Consumers' Association Inc: If you have a spare 45 minutes, check this out: http://nejm200.nejm.org/explore/medical-documentary-video 2 weeks ago