Month: June 2025

2025-26 Budget “The No Surprises Budget”

Posted on June 20, 2025

The State Budget was handed down on 19 June and HCCWA was pleased to be invited to the industry budget briefing and lock in.

Reading the budget documents, it was great to see all health-related election commitments being funded, as these included some important infrastructure promises and some interesting and innovative programs. We are looking forward to the implementation of the GP ASK program, which should reduce unnecessary referrals to specialists, which in turn reduces waiting times for patients. We are also interested to see the WA Virtual Emergency Department expanded and serving more community members. Great preventative programs such as funding for Ngala and the Australian Breastfeeding Association are also welcomed.

Other health items included:

  • Improvements to nurse to patient ratios
  • Expanding the pharmacist scope of practice to allow greater choice for consumers for access to care for some uncomplicated health conditions
  • Additional beds in the Time to Think program, accommodating hospital patients who are waiting for an aged care placement
  • Funding to develop the Perth Biomedical manufacturing hub to help grow the local medical research industry
  • Funding for the first Dementia Action Plan
  • Funding for a Medical Respite Centre for continuing care people experiencing homelessness who need access to the hospital system.

Spending on healthcare for people in regional areas is vital and we welcome the increases to the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme, as well as infrastructure investment in health services in Bunbury, Albany, Geraldton, Kalbarri and Kalgoorlie. Expansion of renal dialysis in Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing is also a great step in providing crucial health care close to where people live.

While spending on infrastructure is crucial, there is a wider picture in the health system that needs to be examined. We were hoping to see investment in radically different models of care, as recommended by the Sustainable Health Review. Community Connector and Social Prescribing models are proving to be hugely important at providing services to community members where they live and in keeping people well, connected, and out of hospital. While Silver Chain programs are funded in this budget, there is nothing for new and innovative community connector programs that will be essential in the future of our health system.

While we welcome many cost of living initiatives, such as free public transport to school, we were disappointed that there was nothing in the budget to help WA health consumers and their carers with the high cost of parking at hospitals. Our hospitals are free, but accessing them is not free, we’ve heard from people who have had to take out pay day loans to cover the cost of hospital parking. Subsidising hospital parking would be an excellent initiative to assist people with the escalating cost of living and provide relief for people who are experiencing the acute stress of a sick, hospitalised family member.

Bronwyn Ife  |  Systemic Advocacy and Engagement Lead
For media enquiries: 0488 701 839

Meet your HCCWA Team: Jenni Dlugi

Posted on June 13, 2025

Our team works hard for the people of WA, we’re passionate about making a difference in the lives of West Aussies and working hard to make patients, carers, loved ones – all health consumers – are at the centre of our healthcare system to make healthcare fair.

We’d like you to meet Jenni, our Senior Information and Advocacy Officer.

How long have you worked at HCCWA

7 years

What inspired you to work at HCCWA?

I had a background in medico-legal work – I had previously worked in a health service, then I had worked for a major medical indemnity insurer. When I returned from maternity leave, I had made a choice to balance my home and work life and moved into the community services sector in the regions. I worked for Victim Support Service, Housing Support, DV program coordination and paralegal work. When I returned to Perth after living in Albany, Karratha and Kalgoorlie, I specifically looked for a role that aligned with my beliefs and values, but that also utilised my background in medico-legal work and challenging social injustices and inequity. I felt Health Consumers’ Council fit the criteria. Luckily, the feeling was mutual and I got the job!

Describe what you do at HCCWA

I am an Individual Advocate and my job is to advocate for consumers of the WA health system to ensure their rights are upheld under the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights, that their voices are heard, and that any barriers or inequities are addressed. Sometimes that might involve ‘nudging’ a clinician or health service in the right direction by reminding them about person centred care and their obligations. I also help people to feel empowered to advocate for themselves by providing advice about their particular circumstances, together with information, resources, system navigation and referrals.

What do you think about HCCWA and the work we do?

I think it’s great. It’s an important role given there are no other services offering free individual advocacy services for the entire WA health system. That includes issues with allied health, pharmacy, and dental – it’s not only hospitals and primary care! I have had consumers from Eastern States call us for support because other states’ health consumer organisations don’t offer individual advocacy. Unfortunately, those consumers only option is paying a private operator for support. Our service is pretty special and unique.

How do you see your work helping to improve outcomes and experiences for everyone in WA?

I see my work as an individual advocate as supporting people to understand what health care rights are and how to exercise those rights. My hope is that people come away from engaging with our service feeling more empowered and knowledgeable than they did before.

Ever met anyone famous?

Yes. Back in the 80s (the good old days) Prince Charles and Princess Diana visited Australia. They visited the region in Victoria that I lived in. All the primary schools around the districts converged on one location and I was selected from my school to present her with a bunch of flowers. I was around 5 or 6 years of age, and I remember she kissed me on the cheek! I did not realise how special that was until I was older.

Evelyn Le’s literature review to identify the barriers that are faced by LGBTQIA+SB people in accessing healthcare in Western Australia: intern from the McCusker Centre for Citzenship at UWA

Posted on June 12, 2025

At HCCWA we regularly host interns from the McCusker Centre for Citzenship at UWA because we believe in helping to educate future leaders, as well as having the opportunity to get input on projects we’re keen to make happen and wouldn’t otherwise be able to Students who choose the McCusker Internship as an elective in for one semester are placed with an organisation where they undertake 100 hours of supervised project work.

Evelyn Le joined us in semester one. She is undertaking a major in Biomedical Science (Pharmacology) with a minor in French, so her time spent at HCCWA was a new opportunity for her to think about a different type of work and a different way of undertaking research.

Evelyn undertook a literature review to identify the barriers that are faced by LGBTQIA+SB people in accessing healthcare in Western Australia, and further to identify what resources exist to assist members of the LGBTQIA+SB community to navigate the health system and be aware of their health rights. We developed this project brief after our Executive Director was invited to attend the Youth Pride Network Queeries event last year and heard from participants how challenging many people in the LGBTQIA+SB community found it to find welcoming safe healthcare.

Evelyn presented her findings to all staff at the end of her internship, and included:

  • That the LGBTQIA+SB community have higher rates of some mental illnesses than other people
  • That often young members of the LGBTQIA+SB community find themselves having to educate their medical practitioners
  • That gender diverse people find healthcare particularly challenging when being faced with health procedures that they associate with a different gender – such as cervical screening tests.
  • That young gender diverse people feel unsupported by healthcare workers if they do not address them using their preferred name, pronouns and gender.
  • That there is a strong intersectionality issue around young LGTBQIA+SB people who are living in rural areas being able to access safe and supportive healthcare.

These findings helped Evelyn to identify gaps in resources for LGBTQIA+SB people in accessing care. She found that while there are ample resources around for LGBTQIA+SB that relate to their specific health needs, there are not very many resources around their health rights and where to seek support for those rights. We’re looking to use Evelyn’s great research and advice to ensure that all community members are well informed of their health rights.

Our next steps are to reach out to LGBTQIA+SB peak bodies and explore how HCC can support their efforts to advocate for more inclusive accessible healthcare for the community.

Health services are under pressure around the world – here’s how you can help in WA

Posted on June 5, 2025

Right now, health services are under pressure around the world. In this LinkedIn post an ED doctor in the UK shares his perspectives on why people might be experiencing long waits in Emergency Departments.

Need healthcare that can’t wait?

If you’re seeking healthcare which is unplanned but is not an emergency or life-threatening – and it can’t wait until you can get an appointment with a GP – there are a few options that don’t require you to sit for a long time in an Emergency Department:

  • Call HealthDirect or visit the website for advice and information 24/7 – this service has been significantly improved in recent years and includes the option to discuss your symptoms with a registered nurse.

 

  • Visit an Urgent Care Centre
    • There are two types of Urgent Care Centres in WA
      • Medicare Urgent Care Centres are free at the point of care – you can find your nearest online at https://www.health.gov.au/find-a-medicare-ucc or by calling HealthDirect on 1800 022 222
        • You may be able to walk-in, or need to make an appointment – check with the centre closest to you
      • Other urgent care centres – such as those provided by St John Health – provide urgent care without an appointment with a fee to be paid.
        • You will need to pay up-front but Medicare Card holders will get a Medicare rebate.
        • The up-front costs can range from $168 Monday to Friday to $310 on public holidays
        • The out of pocket costs (after the rebate) range from approx $125 Monday to Friday to $175 on public holidays
        • You can find your nearest online at https://www.health.gov.au/find-a-medicare-ucc or by calling HealthDirect on 1800 022 222

 

 

  • Emergency or life-threatening illnesses or injuries require immediate medical attention by an emergency department or hospital. For example, things like chest pain, breathing difficulties, severe burns, poisoning, loss of feeling, and seizures.

If you do need to attend an Emergency Department, you can get an idea of how long you might be waiting from the WA Health website showing up to date wait times at https://www.health.wa.gov.au/reports-and-publications/emergency-department-activity/data?report=ed_activity_now

Other ways you can play your part in reducing the need for hospital care

 

  • Maintain good health hygiene habits
    • if you’re unwell, reduce the chance of infecting others by staying home, wearing a mask if out in public, and wash your hands regularly
      • and in particular, take action to reduce the chance of infecting older people in your community or family
    • pay attention to air quality in homes and buildings

HCC’s advocacy in this area

At HCCWA we are actively advocating for the interests of health consumers including patients, carers and family members in relation to ensure affordable access to healthcare across primary, community and hospital settings. This includes providing input on the WA Government’s work in relation to virtual care, care for older people, and emergency access.