Written by Tania Harris Engagement Manager | Aboriginal Engagement Lead | Disability Engagement Lead
This year, Western Australia has introduced something important for families — a free, needle-free flu vaccine for children.
The FluMist program is now available for children aged 2 to 11 years, a quick nasal spray instead of a needle. For many parents and carers and especially for children who are anxious about injections, this is a very welcome option.
FluMist works in the same way as traditional flu vaccines by helping protect children against influenza and its complications. It’s not new internationally, it’s been used safely overseas for many years. 2026 is the first time we’re seeing a state-wide rollout here in WA.
We are currently running a Winter survey to hear the perspectives of the community, and what stands out to me is just how varied people’s experiences and attitudes to vaccination are.
Many people told us they actively plan for winter and see vaccination as part of that:
“Make sure I get the flu vaccination… and encourage my family to do the same.”
“Flu vaccination, take vitamin C supplements… wash hands more regularly.”
But alongside this, we’re hearing about very real barriers that not just about choice, but about access, timing and experience:
“I always plan to and then get too sick… to actually get it.”
“I should probably get a flu injection, but I always put it off and forget.”
“Vaccination clinics outside of ordinary working hours… it’s difficult to find time to take the children when working full time.”
We’re also hearing that for some people, concerns and past experiences are influencing decisions:
“Had a fever/chills after last vaccination and dislike needles.”
“I don’t trust vaccinations… and their side effects.”
At the same time, there’s a strong sense of shared responsibility coming through:
“Even if people reject vaccinations, we all have a duty of care to protect each other from harm.”
For me, this is exactly why initiatives like FluMist matter
They respond directly to what people are telling us by removing one of the most common barriers (needle anxiety), making the process quicker and easier for families.
Children are a key group when it comes to influenza. They are more likely to spread the virus, and even otherwise healthy children can become seriously unwell. Supporting children to get vaccinated helps protect not just them, but the wider community as well.
What families need to know
The FluMist vaccine is free for children aged 2–11 years in WA
It is delivered as a gentle nasal spray — no needles required!
It’s available through GPs, community health clinics, Aboriginal medical services and some pharmacies
It’s designed to make flu vaccination easier, particularly for children who may otherwise miss out If you are supporting families, please let them know about this new initiative.
Health Consumers’ Council WA’s latest Systemic Advocacy Report highlights how consumer and community voices are helping shape health policy, services, and system reform across Western Australia. Covering January to March 2026, the report outlines HCCWA’s work across preventative health, referral pathways, consumer engagement, rural access, Aboriginal health, mental health, and informed decision making.
During this period, HCCWA contributed to policy submissions, Ministerial roundtables, committee governance reviews, and national reform discussions, while continuing to bring lived experience perspectives into high level decision making. The report also highlights advocacy on outpatient access, informed financial consent, consumer rights, and the need for more inclusive and community-led approaches across the health system.
The report reflects HCCWA’s ongoing commitment to ensuring healthcare policy and reform are shaped by the experiences of patients, carers, families, and communities across WA.
Acknowledgements
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities as the Traditional Custodians of the land we work on, specifically the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation, and pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. Australia always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
Health Consumers’ Council acknowledges the unique insights and strength of those who navigate the complexities of the health system as consumers and thank them for sharing their lived experience and wisdom to help make healthcare fair for everyone.
In this report we provide our members, friends and stakeholders with an update on how we’re amplifying and championing diverse consumer and community interests to help drive positive change across the health and social care sectors in WA.
During this period, HCCWA continued to influence policy, strengthen partnerships, and elevate consumer and community voices across the health system.
Our reach and engagement
Contributed to 5+ policy submissions and strategic consultations
Engaged with state and national government agencies, Ministers and MPs
Participated in 10+ committees, advisory groups, and sector forums
Delivered 3 sector presentations and panel contributions
Contributed to media coverage on key consumer health issues
Key areas of influence
Preventative health policy and whole-of-government approaches
Access to care, including referral pathways and rural primary care
Consumer engagement and lived experience in system design and governance
Equity in health care, including Aboriginal health and community-led approaches
Transparency and informed decision making for consumers
Highlights from this period
Provided strategic input to the WA Department of Health Capability Review, strengthening the focus on consumer and community partnership
Contributed to national policy discussions on modernising referral pathways, advocating for improved access, transparency, and informed choice
Supported Ministerial roundtables on preventative health, bringing forward consumer priorities including early years, social determinants, and community-led approaches
Facilitated engagement between Aboriginal Elders and the Minister for Health and Mental Health, elevating community perspectives on research and program design
Shared insights across sectors, including presentations to the WA Country Health Service and the Community Relief and Resilience Network
This work reflects HCCWA’s ongoing role in ensuring that consumer and community voices inform policy, shape services and contribute to a more equitable and responsive health system.
How systemic advocacy is organised at HCCWA
This period we said farewell to Bronwyn Ife, HCCWA’s Systemic Advocacy Lead, who returned to a role in local government. As the fixed term funding that covered the Systemic Advocacy Lead role is not ongoing we will not be replacing that role. Due to funding constraints, HCCWA’s systemic advocacy work is undertaken by members of the Leadership team alongside their other responsibilities.
Do you find this information valuable?
This is a new publication for us, and we’d welcome feedback – what is helpful/interesting? What is not?! Let us know by emailing us at engagement@hconc.org.au
HCCWA was approached as a key stakeholder to provide input to inform the Capability Review of the WA Department of Health. These reviews are carried out by the WA Public Sector Commission as “a permanent, ongoing mechanism to lift the capability of the public sector and drive performance improvement”. HCCWA’s feedback covered WA Health’s approach to partnering with consumers and the community.
HCCWA was approached for preliminary feedback about proposals to review specialist titles in dentistry. HCCWA’s feedback was:
The language and formatting of these consultation materials is very complicated and likely to be challenging for most consumers/community members – unless they’re very experienced consumer representatives, or work for a consumer organisation.
This is a very important topic – we know that some of the harm that’s been experienced by consumers in recent high profile cases is due to the lack of clarity about the different abilities of general dentists and prosthodontists
Ahpra and the Dental Board should seek targeted input from consumers across the country
Attention should also be paid to how consumers are informed about these distinctions, how consumers can be sure they’re being treated by someone with the appropriate skill level and qualifications, and how they can make informed choices about which health professional they choose to be treated by.
We highlighted the benefits of hospices and the important role they can play in supporting patients and families both in the community as people live with life-limiting conditions, and at end of life.
We highlighted the importance and value of the Compassionate Communities approach, including the evidence about their value in reducing hospital use from the South West: research from 2023 showed lower hospitalisations, less hospital days/month, and less emergency presentations https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/26323524231205323)
Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
This consultation sought the views of patients, medical providers and other interested parties on whether current Medicare referral arrangements are effectively supporting access to specialist care. It also seeks views on suggestions for reform.
HCCWA provided this feedback:
The current referral process does not make it easy for patients to access specialist care
Including cost information and links to Medical Costs Finder on referrals would help patients make more informed financial decisions
Patients should be able to switch specialists under the same referral without needing a new referral
Our GPs should be kept informed about our treatment with the specialist throughout the duration of the referral – if that is what we want
The lack of information available to consumers to make truly informed decisions about their preferred referral options could be a barrier to the take up of an Australia-wide digital referral process.
There is almost no information consumers can use to determine the quality of care they might receive for any particular clinicians. For communities who are often served by overseas trained doctors, their treating doctor may not have any knowledge or pre-existing relationships with other clinicians to inform their recommendation.
This could be addressed by requiring clinicians to publish information about any complaints they receive (noting that not all consumers have the emotional energy to go through the administratively heavy Ahpra notification process). Or to strengthen the Ahpra annual registration process to require evidence of consumer feedback in some way. While google reviews may be inadequate, they are sometimes the only publicly available information for consumers to use as they try to make an informed decision.
It is important that consumers are able to access neutral information about things to consider when looking for a specialist. The “service” is highly technical, and the “market” is diffuse and confusing to navigate. There’s a risk that “good bedside manner” could become the standard for decision making in the absence of consumers being able to access other information about other quality measures they could consider.
That any policy should be supported by significant investment in ensuring consumers are supported to make fully informed decisions. For example, all referrals could be required to include mandatory wording directing consumers to online information about how to make a decision, and what questions to ask about their options.
Information about making informed decisions should be co-designed by consumers, and could be included in consumer-led training delivered by consumer organisations.
Recent media accounts – Four Corners – have made it very clear that our healthcare system cannot be based on doctors policing themselves. While many are trustworthy people who deliver high quality care, it is clear that where this is not the case, the consumer has little hope of receiving honest feedback about colleagues from their own doctors.
Mandating the provision of information in plain language that has been written by consumers for consumers that outlines the process, their rights, and what they can expect – i.e. informed financial consent – and where to go if they have questions could improve patient understanding of referral arrangements. This could be on a website – similar to the Choosing Wisely program.
The ability for patients to seek a second opinion from a new specialist under the same referral would be enormously beneficial for patients. In the current “market” consumers are significantly disadvantaged and disempowered by limited access to information on which to base their decisions. Being able to access a second opinion is likely to have a significantly positive impact.
If were to be coupled with powerful AI-powered consumer healthcare decision tools, this will be a game-changer in terms of re-empowering consumers.
HCCWA was one of the signatories to a letter seeking an update on the implementation of the recommendations from the Statutory Review of the Mental Health Act 2014 (WA) that was completed in 2024.
As background, HCCWA contributed to the Review in 2021 by hosting consumer consultations on the experiences of people accessing mental health services on a voluntary basis. We look forward to being able to share how these recommendations are being implemented with our community.
HCCWA was asked to review draft guidelines for WA Health staff on establishing and running committees.
Our feedback related to how to ensure that including consumer, community and lived experience voices in WA Health committees was a valuable experience for everyone.
HCCWA’s Executive Director, Clare Mullen, took part in a Leadership Discussion Circle with a group of WA Country Health Service leaders, sharing HCCWA perspectives on partnering with consumers at all levels of decision making.
Clare Mullen presented to the Community Relief and Resilience Network on key health consumer issues, contributing a consumer perspective to discussions across the emergency relief sector.
The Community Relief and Resilience Program provides policy representation and sector support to Western Australia’s emergency relief sector. These services support individuals and families experiencing poverty or financial stress through food and material aid, financial assistance and referrals to other support services.
There are more than 300 agencies across WA delivering community relief, ranging from small volunteer-run services to large multi-program organisations.
Tania Harris, HCCWA’s Engagement Manager, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lead and Disability Lead, took part in a panel discussion that brought together perspectives from research, consumer advocacy, clinical practice, innovation and policy.
The panel explored whether current policy, funding and service delivery frameworks are fit for purpose and effective in translating diabetes innovation into equitable care with HCCWA contributing a consumer and lived experience perspective to support more inclusive and responsive approaches.
The Hon Sabine Winton MLA, Minister for Preventative Health
HCCWA attended four preventative health roundtables at the start of 2026:
Mental Health and Early Years Wellbeing
Health Promotion
Screening and Genomics
Immunisation
Across all of these sessions we shared what we hear from consumers, carers, family and community members:
Need to address the social determinants of health, particularly poverty/low-income
A focus on first 1,000 days and healthy families is essential – particularly 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
There is a need for more community-driven/community-led health promotion activities at a place level
Need much more involvement of a wide range of consumers, carers, families and people with lived experience in all scoping, planning, delivery and evaluation of 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 Hon Meredith Hammat MLA, Minister for Health and Mental Health
HCCWA supports the Healthy Lifestyle Program’s consumer engagement and directly supports and facilitates the Healthy Lifestyle Program Cultural Advisory Group and its members (the Elders). The group is made up of respected Aboriginal Elders who have decades of experience supporting researchers and research projects.
The Elders were concerned about the impact of short-term research pilots on their families and communities. They requested the opportunity to meet with senior decision makers to share their and their communities’ perspectives and experience with the research pilot pathways.
Minister Hammat and her team met with the Elders in March 2026 and welcomed the opportunity to hear about the program and their experience.
Since 1994, Health Consumers’ Council WA has been advocating for the interests of the WA community, health consumers, patients, carers, and families when it comes to health and healthcare.
HCCWA will continue to work across government, the health system, and the community to ensure that consumer voices shape policy, services, and system reform. This work remains critical to building a more equitable, responsive, and person-centred health system in Western Australia.
For further information about this report please contact Health Consumers Council WA on 08 9221 3422 or info@hconc.og.au
To discuss any of the content, please contact Clare Mullen, Executive Director at CEO@hconc.org.au
New national data confirms a system under pressure, where cost is now the biggest barrier to care.
81.6% satisfied with quality
49.8% missed needed care
only 32.3% confident they can afford care
New findings from the Consumers Health Forum of Australia’s 2025 National Consumer Sentiment Survey show a clear pattern. People trust the quality of care, 81.6% report being satisfied. Cost is now the defining barrier, from dental care to prescriptions to treatment, with 49.8% surveyed not getting the care they needed in the past year.
Nearly 49.8% missed out on care they needed and for these consumers, cost was the main barrier. This was especially the case for dental care (67.0%), prescriptions (54.2%), and treatments (48.7%)
CHF National Consumer Sentiment Survey 2025
This aligns with what we see every day at the Health Consumers’ Council WA. Patients, carers, people making difficult choices about their care be that delaying appointments, skipping follow-ups, going without treatment.
When cost becomes a barrier, access is no longer fair. People on lower incomes, those with ongoing health needs, chronic conditions, older people, and people living outside metro areas are often affected first and hit the hardest. Considering the report states 61.7% reported living with at least one chronic condition, this is no small issue.
This has flow-on effects. When primary care is harder to access, people wait longer, conditions worsen, pressure builds elsewhere in the system. The report identifies financial stress as the strongest predictor of poorer health outcomes.
We are alert to the possibility of a snowball effect that may be coming – when we consider our communities facing rising costs across the board, petrol, groceries, insurance. In the current economic climate there is little relief on the horizon for the average patient, carer, health consumer.
Affordability is also not just about price. It is about being able to make informed decisions – and that includes decisions about how much we will be spending.
HCCWA’s current policy positions align strongly with the CHF findings as we advocate for
pricing transparency and educate patients, carers and consumers on informed financial consent
healthcare access and equity centred in all we do
consumer voices in healthcare policy decisions
We welcome yesterday’s announcement of the inquiry into access and affordability of medical specialists to examine how the system is working, where barriers exist, and what reforms or new models of care could improve access and affordability for patients across Australia.
We call on WA politicians and decision makers to focus efforts on making healthcare fair and make change on three fronts:
Listen to consumer experiences and understand their importance as early warning signs of system pressure
Help Western Australians access and understand informed financial consent and information about the cost of their care
Provide access to independent healthcare advocates to ensure no Western Australian is left to feel lost in the system
If we want a health system that works for everyone, we need to make sure people can afford to use it. Right now, too many cannot.
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
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.
Health Consumers’ Council WA calls for urgent action to address GP access and affordability in WA
The latest Cleanbill Blue Report reveals a mixed picture for Western Australians seeking GP care. While the national rate of fully bulk billing clinics has doubled to 40.2%, Western Australia lags far behind at just 19.8%, the second-lowest rate in the country. At the same time, out-of-pocket costs for those not bulk billed have risen to an average of $46.63, up nearly 10% from last year.
Health Consumers’ Council WA Executive Director Clare Mullen said these figures highlight a growing equity gap in primary care access across the state.
“Western Australians deserve timely, affordable healthcare, yet these findings show that too many people are still facing significant barriers. Bulk billing remains the exception rather than the norm in WA, and rising costs risk pushing care out of reach for those who need it most.”
The report also notes a national trend of GP clinic closures and consolidations, raising concerns about future availability of services in regional and remote WA.
“Consumers tell us every day about the stress and hardship caused by limited access to GPs. We need urgent, coordinated action to ensure that incentives translate into real improvements for WA communities—not just on paper.”
Health Consumers’ Council WA is calling for:
Greater transparency on GP pricing and availability.
Targeted support for clinics in WA to adopt bulk billing practices.
Consumer voices at the centre of policy decisions to ensure reforms meet community needs.
As an independent organisation advocating for health equity, HCCWA will continue to amplify consumer experiences and push for solutions that make healthcare accessible for all Western Australians.
ENDS
Media enquiries: 0488 701 839 | info@hconc.org.au
Bronwyn Ife | Systemic Advocacy and Engagement Lead
Our AGM was a great way to close out the year. The room had strong energy, thoughtful discussion, and a clear sense of shared purpose. It was encouraging to see so many people engaged, asking questions, and contributing their perspectives.
Thank you to everyone who attended, spoke up, and supported the work. Your involvement strengthens our collective voice and sets a positive tone for the year ahead.
We were delighted that the Minister for Health and Mental Health Meredith Hammat was able to spend plenty of time meeting attendees and chatting with guests before giving her address and responding to questions that had been gathered from members.
Your Christmas donation helps West Australians get the support they need when things go wrong or get too hard to manage alone
Every year, thousands of people across Western Australia find themselves stuck in a healthcare system that’s complex, overwhelming and often deeply distressing. Some struggle for months to get answers. Others can’t access the care they need. Many feel unheard, powerless and alone.
That’s where Health Consumers’ Council WA steps in.
We’re the only organisation in Australia that provides individual advocacy across the entire healthcare sector, from GPs and hospitals, mental health to allied health, across both the public and private systems.
For more than 30 years, we’ve been helping West Australians navigate healthcare when things get complicated.
Speak up confidentially with an advocate by their side
Be treated with respect and cultural understanding
Fix problems so others don’t face the same issues
Beyond individual cases, we drive system-wide change
We identify patterns experienced by health consumers and provide evidence-based input to government decision-makers, helping to remove barriers in WA’s healthcare system. By resolving issues early and advocating for continuous improvement, we aim to strengthen healthcare accessibility, equity and quality for all Western Australians.
How your donation helps
Accessing personal medical records
Peter spent more than a year trying to access his medical records. When he approached our advocate Jenni at Health Consumers Council, a conciliation request was already in progress but moving slowly. Jenni contacted the practitioner directly, reminded them of their obligations and the issue was resolved quickly. Peter finally received his records and was able to move forward with is healthcare journey.
Informed choice in mental health care
Jamie believed she had no choice over her medication due to a Community Treatment Order. Advocate Chrissy checked with the Mental Health Tribunal and found an administrative error. Learning she was actually a voluntary patient empowered Jamie to attend her appointment feeling informed, respected and able to contribute to her own treatment.
Support during a difficult time
With her husband gravely ill, Janice, whose first language is not English, worried she would be pressured into decisions she didn’t fully understand. Advocate Helen explained the hospital process, clarified her rights and helped her prepare. Janice attended the meeting feeling calm, informed and ready to speak up on her husband’s behalf during an emotional and complex time.
Compassion in complex situations
Alex felt anxious about an upcoming hospital admission and uncertain how to explain their needs. Kerrie worked with them on a clear care plan and Sensitive Practice Request, then shared it with hospital staff. This preparation helped everyone understand Alex’s condition and needs, creating a calmer, more respectful experience.
What people say
“The Gold Standard”
“Jenni is very approachable, she is a sincere and caring person, very professional and thorough. She was wonderful and if I need help anywhere again, she is the Gold Standard in which I will compare them to. Thank you.”
“Chrissy was fantastic”
“She honestly went above and beyond to help me and make sure I understood everything. Also beautiful and caring as well. Thank you Chrissy, you are a super star.”
“Thank you for going above and beyond to help me with my learning disability”
“Thank you so much for all your help and support in this matter Kerrie. You truly are amazing and very helpful. It is not often these days you find people that go above and beyond to help you and you truly have so thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart.”
A small team with a big impact
In 2025, we:
Supported 1,249 people with individual advocacy
Took 4,560 advocacy actions on behalf of patients
Made 23 submissions to shape fairer healthcare policies
Met with 96 senior healthcare decision-makers to drive change
Your donation helps us reach more people and create lasting change in WA’s healthcare system.
Your tax-deductible donation helps us be there for those that need us
We’ll be there for you and your loved ones too when you need us
We’re a registered charity and all donations over $2 are tax-deductible.
Our team met with people living with diabetes at the Perth Diabetes and Health Expo. We heard concerns about stigma, cost, and access to care. These insights will guide our advocacy work to support fair and responsive services in Western Australia.
Aimee Riddell and Tania Harris attended the Perth Diabetes and Health Expo hosted by Perth Diabetes Care. The event brought together people living with diabetes, carers, service providers, and advocates from across Western Australia.
We used the opportunity to speak directly with consumers. People told us that cost remains a barrier to routine care. Some spoke about long wait times for support. Others raised concerns about the stigma linked to both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. These conversations helped us understand the real pressures people face each day.
People also told us that health services feel more respectful when consumers help design them. Many said that lived experience brings clarity to decisions about treatment pathways, education, and community support. Hearing this reinforced the value of strong consumer voice in every part of the health system.
Our team also met local organisations that support diabetes care. This included educators, nurses, community programs, and allied health providers. These groups play a key role in helping people stay well, manage daily tasks, and understand treatment options.
Events like this show the importance of building strong links between consumers and health services. They help ensure that decisions take real experience into account. They also help reduce stigma by giving space for open and honest conversations.
We thank Perth Diabetes Care for hosting the event. We look forward to future opportunities to stand with the diabetes community and support better access to safe, affordable, high quality care.
We really enjoyed reading this article this week Not “Just a GP”: The Paradox of the Specialist Generalist and thought our readers would enjoy it too. GPs are specialists who undertake training in General Practice after they have qualified as a medical practitioner and worked in the hospital system. Just like all other specialties, it requires specific training and on the job learning.
The provision of primary care is crucial to all consumers and having good GPs in our communities is essential for our wellbeing. We expect a GP to be able to tell us if a mole looks strange, if our runny nose and cough will clear up by the weekend, if our recurring Urinary Tract Infections are anything to worry about and if they think we should see a psychologist because we can’t find the same joy in every day life that we used to. They will see a baby who won’t stop coughing in one appointment, an elderly patient who is showing signs of confusion in the next, a teenager with a suspected broken arm, another teenager who has stopped eating and started self harming, then a woman struggling with perimenopause. This takes training, vast amounts of knowledge, compassion and excellent interpersonal skills. They’re not “Just a GP”, they are primary care specialists who are often the first person we open up to without concerns.
