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About Us

The Health Consumers' Council was established in 1993, supported by the then Minister of Health, Peter Foss. The Council was set up as an independent patient group who would bring a different and unique perspective to matters of health and policy.

The Health Consumers' Council comments publicly on all matters to do with health. The Council is funded by the Health Department of WA, WA Country Health Services and Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. In 2009-2010 we received total funding of $800,000. We offer a state wide service, with a toll free phone number for country callers, 1800-620-780.

In 2009/10 there were:

  • 8.95 million visits to general practitioners;
  • 1.78 million visits to specialists;
  • 851,424 attendances to Emergency Departments;

One of these services could have been provided to you. Are you happy with the service your family received? Could your experience of the health system have been better?

We give you the chance to have your say through and if you would like to take it further, becoming a consumer representative

Our Purpose
To raise awareness of and advocate for health consumers rights in Western Australia

Our Vision
To be an independent, authoritative and effective voice of and for health consumers in Western Australia

Our Values

The Health Consumers' Council believes that all people are entitled to:

Be treated with respect, dignity and understanding

Be informed about their rights and have those rights protected an enhanced

Receive safe evidenced based care

Be informed about their condition and any proposed treatment

Have equitable access to health services

Have access to information about themselves held by health professionals and the right to correct anomalies

Health Consumers' Council Board of Management 2010

Anne McKenzie Chairperson
Lorraine Powell Deputy Chairperson
Alan King Treasurer
Glenn Pearson Secretary
Anne Cordingley (co-opted)

Sergio Cooper

(co-opted)
Phillip Gleeson Member
Mitch Messer Member
Michele Kosky Executive Director

Organisational structure

The Health Consumers' Council is an incorporated body governed by a Board of Management, elected by a membership base in excess of 400 members.

Org struc

HCC Constitution (5th Edition September 2006, Amended March 2008)

HCC Rules (5th Edition September 2006)

HCC Governance Statement 6 August 2010

HCC Code of Conduct 2009

HCC Strategic Plan 2009-2012

HCC Position Statements 2010

HCC Position Statement on Consumer and Community Participation in Health and Medical Research

Health Consumers' Council Staff

Michele Kosky - Executive Director

Gio Terni - Senior Advocate

Pieter de Marco - Advocate

Chrissy Ryan - Advocate

Laura Elkin - Aboriginal Consumer Participation Programme

William Trott - Aboriginal Consumer Participation / Complaints Review Programme 

Caroline Rugdee - Speakers' Bureau Coordinator

Louise Ford - Consumer Participation Programme Coordinator

Rosemary Caithness - Office Manager

Sophie Rabana - Receptionist

People in Charge of the Website

Bizlinks Technology - HCC website host

Caroline Rugdee - HCC web administrator

HCC Policies

For Consumer Representatives and Members

Code of Conduct

Excellence Awards

Consideration for Appointment of Health Consumers' Council Staff to National Committees Policy

Consideration for Nomination to National Committees - Letters

Consumer and Members complaints about the Council

Consumer Representative Policy

Consumer Representative: Advice to Chairs

Consumer Representative Payment Policy

Governance Statement

Grievance - Staff and Members acting in an Official Role

Health Issues Group Terms of Reference

Media Policy

Out-of-Pocket Expenses Policy

Risk Management Policy

Declaration of Patient Centred Healthcare

Site Developers