Month: February 2026

Consumer voices driving health – informing the preventative health agenda

Posted on February 25, 2026

WA is the first state to have a Minister for Preventative Health, the Hon Sabine Winton. Late last year, Health Consumers’ Council WA was invited to be part of a number of roundtables gathering input to inform the development of WA’s first preventative health strategy.

There were six roundable discussions and HCCWA were invited to attend four:

  • Mental health and wellbeing in the early years
  • Immunisation
  • Health promotion
  • Cancer screening and genomics

The other two were:

  • Sexual health
  • How government departments work together on this agenda

A number of other consumer and community organisations attended some of the sessions including Alcohol and Other Drug Consumer and Community Coalition, WA Association for Mental Health and Aboriginal Health Council WA.

HCCWA’s input to these discussions was based on the deep and broad understanding of health consumer interests which comes from our daily interactions with patients,  families and carers, people with lived experience and community members. In general our input was:

  • It’s critical to address the social determinants of health – particularly poverty.
  • A focus on the first 1,000 days and healthy families is essential – we highlighted the need to have a concerted focus on preventing and addressing early childhood trauma
  • A lot of prevention takes place outside the “health system”; Government needs to be joined up in its approach, and move to being more community-centred, and less
    “service-centred”
  • There is a need to invest in more community-driven/community-led health promotion activities at a grassroots level
  • Unsurprisingly we called for much more involvement of a wide range of consumers, carers, families and people with lived experience in all scoping, planning, delivery and evaluation of all preventative health initiatives
  • Targeted work should be done to include the voices of people who may not engage in traditional “consultations”, including people experiencing homelessness, people with intellectual disability, and people where English is not their first language
  • The value of peer-led approaches across all areas of health and mental health – including in health promotion activities within and outside clinical settings.

The Minister sat in the room for the duration of each session and I had a clear sense she’d listened deeply and took the feedback on board. She also made reference to a public facing consultation process – we’ve flagged with her office that we’d like to work with them to ensure wide and deep engagement.

We’ll circulate more information about the public consultation when we get it.

Clare Mullen, Executive Director

Meet your HCCWA Team: Caz

Posted on February 19, 2026

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 Caz, Advocacy Program Officer.

How long have you worked at HCCWA

Around 8 months now.

What inspired you to work at HCCWA?

Being diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 4, myself and my family have had to navigate the public health system for over 50 years. I have previously worked in the private health sector for many many years. I knew about HCCWA from my various advocacy and committee roles. When I saw the role advertised I applied straight away, no hesitation.

Describe what you do at HCCWA

My role is Advocacy Program Officer. I provide administrative support to our Advocacy Team, along with database administration.

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

Very special and unique. Its very rare to find a job that you love, but HCCWA is an amazing workplace. Everyone is very supportive, caring and committed and working towards the same goal, empowering consumers through their health journey.

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

Often, in Advocacy, I am the first person a consumer speaks with. My goal is that, by the end of our conversation, they feel heard, respected, and validated. While I may be that first point of contact, HCCWA is far more than one person — it is a dedicated team committed to ensuring consumer voices are not simply acknowledged, but truly listened to and acted upon.

Ever met anyone famous?

INXS. I had the opportunity to not only sit front row at their Swing Tour but to also go back stage, meet the band and attend a party with them. It was such an incredible experience. I have also met Jack Thompson, he’s a true gentleman. I went to primary and high school with David Ngoombujarra (AKA David Sloan). David was a fantastic friend, an all round nice guy with a killer smile. So many wonderful memories of David.

From the Desk of HCCWA Executive Director

Posted on February 6, 2026

While January is sometimes thought of as a time for rest and leisure, that has not been the case here at HCCWA HQ.

High demand for independent individual advocacy

In January alone, enquiries to our service increased by 25% compared with the same time last year. We remain a small team, we do not advertise, and we are still the only service in Australia offering free, independent advocacy across all areas of healthcare. The rising demand we see is echoed in conversations with partner organisations, including COMHWA.

We know that independent advocacy saves lives, improves health outcomes, and strengthens patient experiences. That is why we are working hard to build a compelling case to Government for investment that matches the real level of community need—so that people are supported when navigating some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Consumer interests influencing health system reform

I’m delighted to share the second of our Systemic Advocacy Report. Speaking up for consumers at the highest levels of decision making has always been central to HCCWA’s work – these reports are simply a new way of sharing it with members and networks so you can clearly see where consumer voices are influencing change. Please let us know what you think.

As many in our networks will know, there is a lot of reform underway across the health system. And those reforms must be shaped by strong consumer leadership and representation. One major opportunity is the Electronic Medical Record Program, which will fundamentally shape how people receive and experience care. We encourage consumers who want to ensure lived experience remains front and centre to consider getting involved here.

Another major reform is to support older people to be able to access care in different settings and we welcome news of the first integrated aged care hub opening. HCCWA and our partners at COTAWA have been putting forward consumer interests on this work for sometime and we look forward to seeing how these innovative services evolve.

This month, HCCWA also represented consumer interests in four preventative health roundtables hosted by Minister Sabine Winton. We sensed deep listening and genuine commitment, and we look forward to the development of Western Australia’s first Preventative Health Strategy. Public consultation opportunities are expected—watch this space.

The HCCWA team

We are delighted to welcome back a familiar face, Louise Ford, who will be working with us in cultural diversity engagement over the coming months. You’ll see her at community events and delivering our popular course, Supporting Cultural Diversity in Healthcare, next month. It regularly sells out, so book early if you’re interested.

In our recent staff meeting, each of us reflected on what brought us to, and keeps us at, HCCWA. A recurring theme was a desire to help address the injustice and disempowerment that too many people experience in healthcare. Whether that’s in a clinical encounter where someone’s concerns have been dismissed, or when trying to make sense of the complicated world of private healthcare and health insurance. Everyone at HCCWA is dedicated to ensuring that people who use health services – patients, families, significant others – have their healthcare rights met and their voices heard.

As a small team dealing with the enormous demand for this support from the community, it is this purpose that maintains our energy for this important work.

Build your knowledge, connect with peers

We say this often because it remains true: health consumers and families are the only people who experience the entire care pathway. As major changes unfold across aged care, disability, primary care, hospitals, and private health services, the presence of informed consumer leaders in every conversation has never been more important to ensure that these reforms deliver a joined up system. In this month’s e-news, you’ll find ways to begin—or deepen—your consumer representative journey.

Finally, to everyone across Western Australia who champions consumer voices—members of community advisory councils, District Health Advisory Councils, lived experience and Aboriginal cultural advisory groups, Standard 2 committees, and the many other forums where truth is spoken to power—thank you.
And to the staff across the system who open doors, listen with intent, and act with purpose on what consumers share: thank you. Your work makes better health outcomes possible for us all.

Clare Mullen | Executive Director