Category: Blog

Meet your HCCWA Team: Bronwyn Ife

Posted on May 15, 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 Bronwyn, our Systemic Advocacy and Engagement Lead

How long have you worked at HCCWA?

Since January 2025

What inspired you to work at HCCWA?

A meaningful workplace, where no two days are the same and a job that encourages me to use my qualifications and my passions for human rights, health equity, politics and and policy.

Describe what you do at HCCWA

I’m the systemic advocacy and engagement lead. So anything about wider health system issues beyond an individual complaint can cross my desk. I also monitor the political landscape to identify any emerging issues across the health sector that may impact consumers. I have a few big systemic projects on the go, and also undertake “one off” projects when we see patterns emerging from our individual advocacy cases. I also coordinate responses from HCC when giving feedback on government policies and strategies, always seeking to amplify consumer voices in all that we do.

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

HCCWA, as the peak consumer body for the health sector, has a long and proud history of amplifying consumer voices, advocating for individual consumers, running engagement activities and being a critical friend in the health system. The work we do matters. I wouldn’t work here if it didn’t. From one of advocates giving helpful advice that changes the outcome for someone who needs support through the system, to our engagement team working closely with consumer representatives to ensure they are supported in representing consumers in the health system, we are making improvements in people’s lives every day.

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

My work may not have the same direct impact on one individual as the work of our individual advocates does, but I believe that my work contributes to making the whole health system better, by calling out injustice, by identifying broad, system-wide inequities and raising these with decision-makers. I bring my passion and energy

Ever met anyone famous?

Yep.

World immunisation week: are you up to date with your vaccinations? 

Posted on April 28, 2025

With colder weather approaching, a local measles outbreak that hasn’t yet gone away and COVID always on our minds, World Immunisation Week is a good time to check what vaccinations you might be needing. 

The World Health Organisation recognises World Immunisation Week to highlight the collective action needed to protect people against diseases. The theme for 2025 is “Immunisation for All is Humanly Possible” and celebrates that over the last 50 years, essential vaccines have saved at least 154 million lives, which is 6 lives a minute, every day, for five decades.  

It’s a good time to remember that vaccines aren’t just about saving lives of other people in other places, they save lives right here in our communities too. 

You might have read about the “quad-demic” experienced in the US over their winter, where there were higher than usual numbers of COVID, flu, RSV and norovirus circulating at the same time, leading to consumers being pretty unwell and a hospital system under considerable pressure. A reduction in the rate of flu vaccines and vaccine hesitancy around COVID vaccines has some experts concerned that we may see a similar experience in Australia this winter.  

The Department of Health issues a Virus Watch each week, and if you are interested in infectious diseases and how many of them are in our community at any given time, it is an interesting read. This year, Virus Watch has shown us that the flu is around in higher numbers than it usually is at this time of year, so it might be worth chatting to your doctor about the best time to schedule your annual flu shot.  

COVID vaccines are still available, with variant-specific vaccines being rolled out frequently. The best advice recommends:  

Adults over 18 WITHOUT immunocompromise who have NOT previously received a COVID vaccine.  Single primary dose 
Adults over 18 WITH immunocompromise who have NOT previously received a COVID vaccine Two primary doses 
Adults over 75 Recommended further doses every 6 months 
Adults 65-74 WITHOUT immunocompromise Recommended further doses every 12 months 
Adults 18-74 WITH immunocompromise  Recommended further doses every 12 months 
Adults 18-74 WITHOUT immunocompromise Can consider further doses every 12 months 

 You can get your COVID vaccine from pharmacies, but talk to your doctor about whether a COVID booster would be a good idea for you. 

The WA measles outbreak is well documented in the press, but for adults it can be unclear if you have received a measles vaccination, and how many you have received. The current recommendations are that measles vaccines should be given to  

  • children over 12 months of age
  • adolescents and adults born during or since 1966 who have not received 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine, particularly
  • healthcare workers
  • childhood educators and carers
  • people who work in long-term care facilities
  • people who work in correctional facilities
  • travellers 

For those born before 1966 it is widely assumed that they would have encountered measles naturally as a child and are therefore likely to have natural immunity.  

If you are unsure whether you have had measles or whether you have had two vaccines and are concerned about your immunity, blood testing can clarify your immune status. Talk to your GP.

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

Federal Election 2025: Why Australia’s Health Future Depends on Your Vote

Posted on April 28, 2025

The Federal Election 2025 is fast approaching, and for Australians, we have been keeping an eye on the announcements from the major parties to see what they are saying about health – this is an important opportunity for healthcare system consumers like you and me to use our vote to shape the future of our healthcare system to make a stronger, fairer, and more accessible system for everyone.

Healthcare issues in the 2025 federal election are front and center. From bulk billing cuts to aged care reforms, Australians are asking critical questions:

  • How will Medicare evolve after the election?

  • Will rural and regional Australians finally gain better healthcare access?

  • What commitments will political parties make toward mental health funding and health equity?

Health election promises need to be about more than spending money on hospitals, although that is always welcome and necessary. It is important to look at investments in health in a way that makes a difference to people’s lives, even if they are not currently a patient in a hospital, because we all use the health system.  

At Health Consumers’ Council we want to see increased investment in primary care, increased investment in preventative health measures, a continued focus on improving the efficiency and capacity of  the hospital system and improved access to health care in the community. Women’s health has also been a priority this election, so we’re tracking that too.  

At the Health Consumers’ Council, we believe that a healthy society is the foundation of a thriving community. That’s why we’re urging everyone to look at the 2025 federal election through a health lens. We’ve had a look at what the major parties have said about each of our priority areas and we’ve summarised them for you, to help you decide what is important for you in health when you are going to vote:

Our Priority Labor Liberal/National Greens 
Increased investment in Primary Care 
  • $7.9 Billion in bulk billing incentives  
  •  Supporting training for 400 additional GP places so 2000 GPs enter training each year 
  •  Salary incentives for junior doctors to be GPs  
  •  400 nursing and midwifery scholarships 
  •  1800 MEDICARE telehealth service
  • $9 billion to strengthen medicare 
  • Grow the GP workforce through new incentive payments, entitlements and training support 
  • $195 billion to cover dental treatment under medicare 
  •  $21.5 billion to triple bulk billing incentives 
  •  $31.7 billion for 1000 new healthcare clinics where you can see a GP, dentist, nurse, Psychologist at no cost 
  •  $900 million in grants to encourage more GPs 
  •  Include free autism and ADHD diagnosis in medicare 
  •  Expand Chronic Disease Management Plan to remove service caps and increasing rebates
Increased focus on preventative health 
  • $1 billion mental health services  – includes 31 new and upgraded Medicare mental health services, 58 new, upgraded and expanded headspace services, 20 youth specialist care centres, 1200 training places for mental health professionals 
  •  $32 million men’s health program to break stigma around seeking help 
  •  8 new Perinatal mental health centres
  • Restore the number of Medicare-subsidised mental health sessions from 10 to 20
  • Support Australians to access suicide prevention services. 
  • Investing in medical research
  • Free mental health care by including mental health in medicare 
  • $400 million in grants to community mental health organisations to expand programs 
  • $180 million to create and implement and align a National Suicide Prevention Act 
  • $15 million to train mental health practitioners in gender affirmation, anti discrimination and cultural responsiveness 
  • $180 million for FAS-D diagnosis and treatment 
  • Pill testing and $786.2 million for 11 new safe injecting rooms  
  • $1.2 billion in resourcing the alcohol and other drug treatment sector
Access to care in the community 
  • Support regional health worker attraction, recruitment and retention initiatives
  • Continue support for the timely access to medicines through community pharmacies
  • Support regional health worker attraction, recruitment and retention initiatives
  • Continue support for the timely access to medicines through community pharmacies
  • $2 million to review telehealth capacity  
  • $750 million to Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisations for advancing Closing the Gap initiatives 
  • $2 million for a review into making Medicare and PBS available to imprisoned people
Women’s health 
  • Larger rebates for long acting reversible contraceptives 
  • Additional oral contraceptive pills on the PBS 
  • Menopause hormones added to PBS 
  • 11 new endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics  
  • Additional endometriosis treatments added to PBS
  • New endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics 
  • Specialist cancer nurses to support Australians with Ovarian Cancer
  • Deliver training for health professionals to address endometriosis, menopause and peri-menopause
  • Ensuring cheaper medicines and targeted healthcare for women.

Many of our allies in the health consumer and social services sector have published what they are seeking in the election, and we’ve summarised some of these here for you. 

Carers WA

  • Cost of living support for carers – increase Carer allowance by 15% and a one off boost of $300 to the Carer Supplement
  • Superannuation for carers
  • Expand the Young Carer Bursary
  • Expand the Carer Inclusive Workplace Initiative
  • Carer Recognition  – training professionals to identify and support carers from the beginning 

Consumers Health Forum

  • Increase Medicare bulk-billing incentives to encourage more practitioners to bulk bill, particularly in areas with low rates of bulk-billing and socio-economic disadvantage
  • Reform the Medicare Safety Net to ensure it is more effective in reducing costs
  • Introduce a system to ensure automatic application of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Safety Net pricing
  • Work towards universal affordable dental care and implement the next 10-year National Oral Health Plan
  • Support longer and more flexible specialist referrals, so consumers don’t have to keep going back to their GP
  • Allow other healthcare providers to refer patients to specialists where appropriate 

Australian Men’s Health forum

  • Fund Men’s health
  • Act on Male Suicide
  • Improve Boys Education
  • Support Aussie Dads 

Australian Women’s Health alliance

  • Affirm abortion as essential healthcare
  • ensuring the Medicare Benefits Schedule includes appropriate remuneration for healthcare providers to deliver affordable care
  • supporting workforce capacity building by working with medical and professional colleges providing sexual, reproductive and maternal healthcare training
  • ensuring public hospitals provide abortion care as part of standard, comprehensive reproductive health services
  • working with state and territory governments to implement all 36 recommendations from the Senate Inquiry into universal access to reproductive healthcare. 

Council on the Aging

  • Fund dental care for seniors
  • Review and increase rental assistance payments for seniors
  • Energy bill relief for pensioners
  • Affordable basic internet plans for seniors
  • Expand the lower-income super tax offset scheme (LISTO) to ensure those earning between $37,000 and $45,00 are included
  • Create innovative programs to help older women find affordable housing and improve their financial knowledge
  • Create a national plan that improves outcomes for an Ageing Australia and tackles ageism
  • Require businesses to accept cash payments and prohibit debit card fees
  • Create a peer-led training and support service for victims of online fraud and scams
  • Provide elder abuse prevention and support services – including for older women experiencing family violence
  • Ensure people requiring aged care services in their home don’t have to wait longer than 30 days for the support they need
  • Test a program that provides medical care at home to help older people avoid hospital stays 

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

Highlighting consumer interests with the new WA ministerial team

Posted on April 11, 2025

Clare Mullen Executive Director Health COnsumers' Council WA

At Health Consumers’ Council (HCC), we believe that meaningful change in our health system requires active consumer involvement at every level of decision-making. Following the recent ministerial appointments, we’ve reached out to the new health leadership team to highlight key priorities identified by health consumers across Western Australia.

Our key advocacy priorities

Through our engagement with the WA health consumer community and our consumer lens on the health reform landscape, we’ve highlighted several critical issues:

Consumer involvement in decision-making

Across all our ministerial communications, we’ve emphasised the need to strengthen requirements for WA Health services to meaningfully involve consumers, families, and people with lived experience at every level of decision-making. We’ve highlighted the successful Consumer Lead roles within the Women’s and Babies Hospital project as a minimum standard for future projects of similar scale.

Healthcare affordability and equity

We’ve raised serious concerns about healthcare affordability, with evidence showing some community members are missing essential healthcare due to cost concerns, with some people resorting to taking out payday loans to access necessary care.

Aboriginal healthcare equity

We’ve drawn attention to Australia’s widest gap in hospital procedure rates between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal patients occurring right here in WA. We’re advocating for increased access to advocacy services for Aboriginal patients to strengthen their voices in healthcare settings.

Reducing avoidable harm

We’ve proposed practical steps to improve healthcare safety:

  • Mandating access to independent advocates for consumers and families involved in Severity Assessment Code Category 1 Clinical Incident Investigations
  • Embedding Care Opinion across the health system as a feedback and quality improvement mechanism

Preventative health investment

We’ve emphasised the potential of community-led health initiatives, highlighting the Compassionate Communities model in WA’s South West that achieved a remarkable 63% reduction in hospital admissions. We’re advocating for accelerated rollout of similar community-led approaches.

Medical Research and Citizen Science

We highlighted opportunities to strengthen consumer involvement in shaping research priorities. We’ve proposed investment in citizen science initiatives for health and health promotion, building on WA’s reputation as a leader in consumer involvement in research.

Aged care priorities

We’ve highlighted issues around:

  • Ensuring sufficient aged care capacity so people receive the right care in the right place
  • Taking action to eliminate stigma and discrimination in aged care services
  • Protecting the sexual safety and dignity of people with dementia

Prison Health Services

With Minister Papalia (Emergency Services, Corrective Services), we’ve reiterated the Sustainable Health Review Panel’s support for transferring custodial health services from the Department of Justice to the WA Health system to facilitate more integrated physical and mental healthcare.

Looking forward

These letters mark the beginning of what we anticipate will be a constructive dialogue with the new ministerial team. We’ve requested meetings with each minister to discuss these priorities in more detail and explore collaborative approaches to addressing them.

As is clear from the range of issues we’ve raised, the opportunities to improve health outcomes and experiences for everyone in WA are many and far-reaching. We welcome the expansion of the Ministerial team as recognition of the importance and scale of this work.

As ever, we welcome your thoughts and experiences on these issues. Please continue share your healthcare stories with us, as they strengthen our advocacy work and help identify emerging issues affecting health consumers across WA.

Clare Mullen, Executive Director

Health Budget – a win for women’s health

Posted on April 10, 2025

With the federal election called for 3 May, we’ll be tracking health promises made by all of the parties and letting you know what that means for WA healthcare system consumers.  

The federal government released their 2024-25 budget on Tuesday 25 March. Health is always a topic to watch at budget time and we’ve had a look at what was included in the 2025-26 budget.  

Women’s health was a big winner in the budget and we are really pleased to see women’s health being highlighted – an area that has been ignored or only spoken about obliquely for generations. There is a $792 million package for increased rebates and more bulk billing to increase safe access to long acting reversible contraceptives. A greater number of oral contraceptives have been added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, making these medications cheaper for people who need them. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme listings for hormonal treatments for menopause, medicare rebates for menopause health assessments and menopause training for GPs are all welcome initiatives, as is increased funding for endometriosis treatment and support, making it easier for people to receive the health care that they need.  

The nearly $8 billion spend on Medicare has been covered in many places, but this is aimed at increasing bulk billing rates across the country by increasing incentives for GPs to bulk bill. The goal is for 90% of GP visits to be bulk billed by 2030. The incentives are greater in rural and remote areas, which is a good outcome for services outside of metro areas.  

There is also funding to open 50 new Medicare Urgent Care clinics across the country. There are currently 87 of these clinics, alongside some other Urgent Care clinics run by private providers. A recent review into the Medicare Urgent Care clinics has found that while the cost to the government of care at Medicare Urgent Care Clinics is higher than standard GP appointments, and that the communication from the Urgent Care Clinics back to the patient’s usual GP could be better, the waiting times in Urgent Care Clinics are considerably shorter than those in hospital emergency departments and they give patients greater choice when looking for care, particularly after hours. 

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme co payment is being reduced from $31.60 to $25 which is an important saving for people who regularly need medications. 

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

Harmony Day is a missed opportunity

Posted on March 18, 2025

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

It’s also, Harmony Day

21 March 2025 is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination it’s also Harmony Day 2025 in Australia.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) is recognised all around the world, except here in Australia where in the 1990s the Howard government chose to create an event called Harmony Day instead.

Harmony Day celebrates multiculturalism in Australia, which is a good thing.

But in doing so in place of addressing racial discrimination, it hides the history behind the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and discourages us from discussing the hard work required to tackle racism in Australia.

Here at Health Consumers’ Council we are committed to calling out and tackling racism in the health system. In 2019 we successfully advocated for the inclusion of racial discrimination as a category that’s measured in the WA health complaints system – along with other forms of discrimination such as ableism and ageism.  

We’re working on a project this year to highlight racism in health care by examining the issues that arise in our individual advocacy cases to see what patterns are emerging. We also use our strong relationships with health system leaders to elevate the voices of people who experience racial discrimination to the highest levels of decision making in health.  

If you have experienced or witnessed racism in WA healthcare settings you can call it out

  • Make a complaint to the health service concerned – draw attention to the fact that you believe the discrimination was based on race
  • Hospitals: https://www.hconc.org.au/individual-advocacy/how-to-make-a-complaint/
  • GPs: https://www.hconc.org.au/individual-advocacy/4-how-to-make-a-complaint-to-a-gp-or-clinic/
  • Call It Out is a simple and secure way for people to report incidents of racism and discrimination towards First Nations Peoples in any setting: https://callitout.com.au/

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

Celebrating multiculturalism, inclusiveness and equitable participation in WA

Posted on March 17, 2025

This month, Qistina Taufiq, HCC’s Cultural Diversity Engagement Officer, and Clare Mullen, Executive Director, were privileged to be invited to celebrate the WA Multicultural Awards – a program run by the WA Office of Multicultural Interests.

This is because Health Consumers’ Council was recognised as a nominee in the category of Community Service and Support – General Community Service organisation. The evening was a wonderful celebration of the diversity, capability, resourcefulness and strength of people from a wide range of culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds and the organisations that serve them.

HCC has had a targeted program of work aiming both to ensure people coming to Australia from other countries understand the WA health system and how to navigate it – as well as ensuring the voices of people from multicultural backgrounds are sought and listened to as decisions about health and healthcare are made – since 2011. Louise Ford joined the HCC team then and pioneered a program of workshops on Health Rights and Responsibilities for CaLD communities.

The program was expanded in 2015 to include HCC’s popular workshop on Supporting Cultural Diversity in Healthcare. This workshop is aimed at health service providers who want to develop their capability in ensuring health services are inclusive of people from all cultures. HCC is funded to run this workshop twice a year – and we also deliver it on a fee for service basis to a number of healthcare organisations.

In 2025, HCC will be finishing a project we’ve been working on with Cancer Council WA and the WA Department of Health to produce a range of information leaflets about cancer treatment for people from CaLD backgrounds. HCC’s role has been to support a consumer advisory group made up of people from a range of communities and cultures to inform the development and production of these resources.

Congratulations to all the nominees and winners of these important Awards.

A picture of a page from the Multicultural Awards showing Health Consumers' Council as a nominee

Employment opportunity: Individual Advocate | part-time | on-site

Posted on March 17, 2025

Advocate, part-time, fixed term for 12 months with the possibility of extension

We are seeking a skilled and passionate SCHADS Level 5 health advocate to join our individual advocacy team on a part-time (three days a week), fixed-term contract for 12 months.

It can be difficult for consumers and patients to navigate the Western Australian health system, or to give feedback if they are unhappy with any aspect of their healthcare experience. This role supports health consumers in having their voice heard within the WA health system, while assisting individuals to navigate the health system and assert their rights and provides assistance through the complaints process when needed.

The role offers:

  • The ability to make an impact in individuals’ health journeys, and their experiences of the WA health system
  • The opportunity to be a part of a workplace that is driven by championing consumer health rights
  • A welcoming, inclusive and supportive workplace, where everyone is encouraged to bring all of themselves
  • Externally facilitated team supervision
  • A competitive not-for-profit annual base salary with salary packaging
  • Flexible working arrangements including the opportunity to work from home
  • Additional leave entitlements

About you:

  • You’re looking for a role where you can apply your skills in advocacy and health rights to work that you care about
  • You’re interested in the health system and care about people’s experiences of it
  • You’re comfortable responding to people “where they are”, including when people are expressing distress about their experiences.

Individual Advocate position overview

This role sits within the individual advocacy team, and although the role functions quite independently, it is well supported by the Senior Advocates and the Advocacy Manager, as well as all other team members. In this role, most of the contact with consumers will be either on the telephone or through e-mail, however, attendance at appointments in the community with consumers is another important facet of this role.

A typical week might see you doing a range of tasks including:

  • Contacting consumers from the advocacy waitlist or being the first point of contact with consumers seeking support
  • Building advocacy plans with consumers within HCC’s scope and referring consumers to external agencies for issues that fall outside of HCC’s support
  • Attending consumer appointments in hospitals, GP practices or at community mental health sites
  • Liaising with hospital staff to advocate for consumers in relation to current health needs or retrospective complaints
  • Writing letters of complaints addressed to health service providers, in conjunction with consumers
  • Writing case notes within our Customer Relation Management system
  • Attending team meetings and supervision

See the job description for a full outline of responsibilities for the role.

To apply for the position, please submit a cover letter of no more than two pages addressing the selection criteria, along with a current resume of no more than two pages outlining your work experience, skills and any relevant education or training.

Applications that do not address the criteria may not be considered.

HCC strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and LGBTI+ people.

Selection criteria

Essential

  1. Understanding of the value of individual advocacy for consumers experiencing issues within the health system and the levers available to achieve advocacy outcomes
  2. Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills to be able to confidently advocate, negotiate, influence, mediate, de-escalate, and develop effective workplace relationships with consumers and other stakeholders
  3. An understanding of the social determinants of health, systemic barriers and complex trauma when working with people experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage, and the ability to operate with a trauma informed lens
  4. Ability to work autonomously with strong organisational skills to manage competing priorities simultaneously, in order to meet deadlines
  5. Highly developed analysis and report writing and computer skills
  6. Good working knowledge of the WA health system, community service organisations and referral pathways

Desirable

  1. Previous experiencing providing individual advocacy
  2. Tertiary qualification in social or behavioural science (e.g., social work, psychology, sociology), or previous advocacy experience or lived experience in navigating the health system
  3. Understanding of the Mental Health Act 2014

Applications close Monday 31 March 5:00 pm

If you require any adjustments to submit your application or wish to have a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Tania Harris, Engagement & Advocacy Manager on (08) 9221 3422 (Ext 1) or email tania.harris@hconc.org.au

A long awaited win in sight for transparency on health costs

Posted on March 17, 2025

By Clare Mullen, Executive Director

Today – 17 March 2025 – the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler – is speaking to a range of media outlets about his announcement that, if re-elected, a Federal Labor Government will be publishing the costs of specialist medical fees on the Government’s Medical Costs Finder website.

But wait – isn’t that the website that was set up in 2019 to do exactly that? Well, yes. But it wasn’t mandatory for doctors to add their information. And so only 70 of them did. Out of approximately 11,000 specialists in Australia.

As I highlighted in this blog article last May, it’s important that consumers – in this case patients – have access to cost information in order to make their decision about where to get specialist treatment.

Health Consumers’ Council WA represents the interest of consumers, and WA consumers particularly, on the Federal Government’s Out of Pocket Costs Transparency Reference Group. Through that group, we advocated that any health service provider that receives public funding should be required to publish their pricing information on the Medical Costs Finder website.

We hope that whoever is in Government after the next election will follow through on this commitment to patient and consumer power and ensure people can make informed decisions about specialist healthcare.

Long Covid Awareness Week 10 to 15 March 2025

Posted on March 10, 2025

Long Covid Awareness Week 

 “Long COVID is like being taken hostage in your own body, it is not just a lingering cold, it is a profound disruption to normal life. People need hope and action. Until you experience this kind of  thing you cannot fathom the amount of resilience and mental fortitude you must have to survive.”  – a consumer who lives with Long COVID 

10-15 March 2025 is Long Covid Awareness week.

Since 2020, HCCWA has advocated for the needs and interests of health consumers in relation to COVID, both in relation to information, and to healthcare. While the acute period of COVID has passed, data suggests that between 5 and 20% of Australians experienced ongoing symptoms more than three months after a diagnosis of COVID. Some of these people had experienced fairly mild symptoms when they initially had COVID, but the ongoing symptoms can become debilitating and are often poorly understood among practitioners. One survey of people in WA who were experiencing Long COVID symptoms found that around 17% of people who were working full time before their COVID diagnosis had been unable to return to full time work 90 days after their initial infections, because of the complications of Long COVID and Long COVID recovery.

Consumers have shared their journeys with us. Some of them feel that their doctors don’t believe them, or don’t believe that Long COVID is the cause of their ongoing symptoms. They also report that doctors don’t seem to be well-informed on Long COVID symptoms, Long COVID treatment, and management.

There were Long COVID clinics and Long COVID support services in Western Australia in place for a short-time, however, many Long COVID Clinics have closed. The closures were poorly managed, with patients not being informed of the closure and appointments being cancelled without alternative avenues of care being offered. The East Metropolitan Health Service Post COVID-19 clinic remains open, but it is only available to patients who reside in the East Metro catchment area or those from the Kimberley, Pilbara and Wheatbelt.  

We’re interested to know – what questions or concerns do you have about COVID or Long COVID and Long COVID community resources in Western Australia? 

Share your feedback with us via this short survey and we will share the responses with the Department of Health. 

If this topic is of interest to you, Emerge Australia is undertaking lots of advocacy work on Long COVID.

Follow them here – Emerge Australia Inc  

Bronwyn Ife  |  Systemic Advocacy and Engagement Lead
Published on March 10, 2025  |  For media enquiries: 0488 701 839

References 

Tindle, Robert. Long covid Sufferers can take heart, Australian Journal of General Practice Vol 53, No 4, April 2024 

Woldegiorgis M, Cadby G, Ngeh S, Korda R, Armstrong P, Maticevic J, Kniwght P, Jardine A, Bloomfield L, Effler P. Long Covid in a highly vaccinated but largely unexposed Australian population following the 2022 SARS coV-2 Omicron wave: A cross sectional study. Medical Journal of Australia. March 2024 

Long covid Australia, a review of the literature. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 16 December 2022 https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/covid-19/long-covid-in-australia-a-review-of-the-literature/summary) 

Costantino, V, Grafton Q, Kompas T, Chu L, Honeyman D, Notaras A, Macintyre CR; The public health and economic burden of long covid in Australia 2022-23: A modelling study, Medical Journal of Australia, August 2024