Health Consumers’ Council received funding from the WA Department of Health to connect and involve people impacted by overweight and obesity.

We have a number of documents available for people working within WA health services to contribute to improving health services in this area.

The information includes:

• Consumer stories shared anonymously about people’s experience of their weight and using the health system for support
• Consumer insights from these groups* – please email info@hconc.org.au to request a copy. In your email, please outline your intended use of this information:
  • Children, young people and families
  • People from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
  • Aboriginal people
  • People with disability
  • Men
• Insights about how consumers would like to discuss weight with health professionals
• Learnings from our experience engaging with consumers on this topic

* Please note these insights are not exhaustive and in some cases come from small numbers of people. We share these in the hope that they add value to the evidence-based information on this topic.

Health consumers tell us that it can be challenging to find healthy options in their community. This includes what options are available in our food environment, as well as access to options where people can easily and safely enjoy physical activity.

At Health Consumers’ Council, we believe health consumers and the community can play a role in advocating for healthier environments.

Have your say

In preparation for a consultation held by the WA Department of Planning we hosted a community conversation on how to have your say on the planning environment in WA.

You can watch this presentation by Ainslie Sartori from Cancer Council WA as she outlines some of their work on this topic. Submissions closed on 31 August 2021.

Connect with others

Join over 115 people in our private moderated Facebook group, and/or join the hundreds of others on our mailing list to hear regular updates on work in this area.

You can also follow Health Consumers’ Council on Facebook for updates across all our projects.

Find out more

Here are a few resources that provide information about how a healthier environment could look, and what’s important when planning our communities.

Public health planning for local government

Many local governments advocated for public health planning and are producing public health plans in anticipation for the commencement of Part 5 of the Public Health Act 2016. 

WA Health is supportive of this initiative and encourages local governments to commence the process of developing their local public health plan.

Find out more about public planning for local government at https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/N_R/Public-health-planning

Healthy active by design – from the Heart Foundation

You can find a whole range of great resources on this page https://healthyactivebydesign.com.au/

In particular, we find these resources very useful:

• What do Australians want? Results of a consumer survey of over 2,800 people across Australia.
  • Find out more about the survey results here.
  • Click here to download a WA summary.
• A list of resources about the built environment – https://healthyactivebydesign.com.au/resources/publications
• How walkable is your suburb? Have a look at this list, then rate your suburb next time you’re out on your walk. Click here to find out more and see the list.

Obesity prevention work by Cancer Council WA

The Obesity Prevention team at Cancer Council WA publish a regular newsletter for people interested in their work aimed at changing public policy to drive healthier environments.

• You can find out more about their work and read through materials on cancer prevention through physical activity (prevention of obesity) here: https://cancerwa.asn.au/cancer-prevention/physical-activity/
• A summary of a research project is available through library databases: Blake, M., Bromberg, M., & Parnell, S. (2020). Analysing Law and Policy to Create an Obesity Management Policy. The University of Western Australia.

Climate change and health

You can link with other people who are taking action to address the impact of climate change on human and environmental health

• WA Climate Justice Union
• Doctors for the Environment
• WA inquiry into climate health – report from consultation started in 2019, and published in 2020

This is not an exhaustive list of resources. If you know of others we could include, please send them to clare.mullen@hconc.org.au

Last updated 13/08/21

Talking about overweight and obesity – consumer insights for health professionals and the health sector

For all sorts of reasons, talking about weight, overweight and health can be a sensitive and difficult subject for some people.

We recognise that some people aren’t interested in talking about weight with health professionals. But for those who are, we want to help make these conversations safe, empathetic and helpful, so that you get the right information and support for you.

We’re developing a set of consumer insights for health services on engaging with people with overweight and obesity.

The first step was to hear from people with experience of overweight and obesity about how they would like to be approached about weight by health professionals and engage in weight-related health activities. Our Weighing in on Weight Talk survey had about 150 responses. We’re using these responses and feedback from consumers to develop these insights.

Events

• Upcoming events
• Previous events

We would like to hear more perspectives from people living regionally, children/young people and families, people living in larger bodies, men, and Aboriginal people, to ensure the project captures a wide range of voices and experiences.

If you identify with any of these groups and want to get involved, please contact Clare Mullen at clare.mullen@hconc.org.au or 9221 3422.

Share Your Story

Your experiences matter.

We use consumer stories to advocate for consumer led initiatives and share stories, or parts of stories, with people in the health system who are working towards better health care services for weight related health issues.

We understand stigma is a big barrier to individuals sharing their stories, and have made sure we share stories in an anonymous way. We will not identify you in any way (by name, email address or anything else), unless you explicitly tell us you are happy to be identified.

We would love to hear about your experience with the health system regarding weight. Please use this template to share your story and send it to Clare Mullen at clare.mullen@hconc.org.au

Stay In Touch

You can spread the word about this important topic by sharing our posts on social media – follow HCC’s Facebook page for updates and join our private moderated Facebook group Partners in Change – Healthy Life for Longer to connect with others.

You can also join our mailing list for regular updates on the project and opportunities to be involved as the plan moves into action.

Implementation and Work to Date

The Minister for Health launched the WA Healthy Weight Action Plan 2019-2024 on Tuesday 26 November 2019.

Since 2018, Health Consumers’ Council (HCC) has been working in partnership with the Department of Health and the WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) to ensure the consumer voice is front and centre of policy and service planning in this area.

Obesity is also identified in the WA Sustainable Health Review as a priority. In this short video (11m) we give an overview of what we know about that work as of early August 2021.

Projects

The WELL Collaborative (formerly WA Obesity Collaborative) (Action 1.1)

One of the key action points under the Healthy Weight Action Plan is to formalise the WA Obesity Collaborative, to connect agendas and drive, facilitate, and coordinate action within in the scope of the WA Healthy Weight Action Plan.

The collaborative approach will provide a platform for people with lived experience, health professionals, and policy makers to work together to take positive action.

Feedback since the launch of the Action Plan has shown that this name didn’t resonate with consumers, nor did it fully encompass what the initiative stands for. Through the feedback with consumers and key stakeholders, the initiative has developed a new name and a new look that considers the full spectrum of experiences of people living with overweight and obesity.

This project, currently under development, is now known as The Weight Education and Lifestyle Leadership Collaborative aka The WELL Collaborative.

Quality Criteria and Outcomes based framework – Curtin University (Action 5.1)

A set of quality indicators and an outcomes framework is being developed to assess what quality health service looks like in the area of overweight and obesity. HCC has been involved in the development of this project, sharing insights from consumers and holding targeted discussions to find out what is important to consumers when it comes to healthy weight services and programs.

Total Meal Replacement trial – Diabetes WA

A pilot of an innovative approach trialing the use of total meal replacement products and telehealth support from allied health staff is being led by Diabetes WA. HCC organised a consumer workshop in 2020 and is involved in the project steering committee.

Shift. A guide for media and communications professionals

East Metropolitan Health Service developed a guide to support media and communications professionals to change the narrative around obesity. HCC had input into the draft document and has been promoting this widely.

Workforce development – East Metropolitan Health Service

East Metropolitan Health Service is developing training for health professionals on how to talk about weight and what support services are available. HCC is providing feedback on the draft course.

GP Healthy Weight Project – WA Primary Health Alliance

The WA Primary Health Alliance is working to improve the capability of general practices to engage in weight management quality improvement activities and deliver suitable weight management assessment and intervention services. HCC is working closely to provide consumer perspectives on this project.

Consumer Advisory Group

HCC’s Healthy Weight Action Plan Consumer Advisory Group provides a consumer perspective on a range of activities related to the implementation of the Health Weight Action Plan.

How consumer feedback shaped the Action Plan

HCC believes it is important that conversations around the Healthy Weight Action Plan are informed by people with lived experience of overweight and obesity.

We gathered consumer perspectives via a survey, workshops, and an online invitation for people to share their stories. You can read a summary of the consumer engagement activities that informed the first phase of this project.

The Action Plan is not “business as usual” for the health system. We are particularly interested in the inclusion of the actions that recognise a new way of working is needed to really impact on this complex health issue.

2020 video update

Helen Mitchell from the Department of Health spoke at a virtual consumer representative drop-in session on how the Action Plan was developed with consumer input, and how the Action Plan is starting to be implemented.

Previous community events

World Obesity Day virtual event

The Obesity Collective hosted a 90-minute virtual event on World Obesity Day 2021 with speakers from across the country.

This session explored many aspects of obesity through a series of ‘rapid talks’ from consumer organisations and health professionals. HCC’s Deputy Director Clare Mullen presented on involving people with lived experience in planning services. The recording of this event can be accessed here.

Community Information Sessions

We regularly hold community information sessions to provide updates on the implementation of the Action Plan and opportunities for conversation around healthy weight.

In February 2021 we held a session with Weight Issues Network and The Obesity Collective, exploring how to speak up for better services for treating overweight and obesity and the importance of sharing our stories to influence change. The recording of the session can be accessed here.

In December 2020 we provided an update on how consumer perspectives were influencing the implementation of the Healthy Weight Action Plan. You can view the slides here and a recording of the session can be accessed here.

In October 2020 we held a community morning tea that explored three key themes in this space: costs and accessibility of services; clarity of information; links around overweight and obesity with mental health and stigma.

This page provides key resources and links to websites to help you navigate your way around the health system.

Charter of Healthcare Rights  

• The Charter of Healthcare Rights explains your legal rights when accessing health services. 

Mental Health Rights

• A guide to your mental health rights as an involuntary health patient and your rights as a patient of a psychiatrist.  
• For voluntary mental health patients see our factsheet on voluntary mental health rights

Mental Health Act Consumer Handbook

• This Consumer Handbook to the Mental Health Act 2014 has been prepared to help people experiencing mental illness navigate the mental health system and uphold their rights. 

Informed Consent

• Information on consenting to medical treatment
• Information about giving your consent to a treatment or procedure. 
• You can also listen to a podcast episode about informed consent

Guardianship and Administration  

• Download our WA Guardianship and Administration info sheet
• You can also watch videos produced by the Mental Health Law Centre

Goals of Patient Care

• Goals of Patient Care is a clinical care planning process used during an admission to hospital or other care facility.
• It helps to determine which treatments would be useful for you, if there was deterioration in your condition.
• You can watch a video on Goals of Patient Care for consumers or visit this website for more information.

Questions to ask your doctor 

• You can use this Question Builder to prepare for a medical appointment by creating a list of questions for your doctor.
• There are Questions to ask your doctor before you have any test or procedure
• The 5 Questions to ask your doctor are available in 12 languages.

Procedure Information Sheets 

Written information about treatments and procedures  

Understand your pathology tests 

Information about pathology to help you manage your health.

Going to Hospital 

• Top tips for safe health care
• Patient First program for before, during and after your hospital stay
• Going to Hospital information in Easy English
• Stay safe with mental health medications

Manage My Care

Manage My Care gives you access to outpatient appointment and referral information. 

You can:

• Easily see your outpatient appointments and referrals 24/7
• Update contact details for patients over 16 years old (e.g. address and phone numbers)
• Request to reschedule, confirm or cancel upcoming outpatient appointments for select specialties
• Access information about your appointment and hospital visit.

The app is available on Apple and Android.

Private Health  

• Learn about Private Health Care in Australia

Consumers’ Experience of Sexual Health and Blood-Borne Virus (SHaBBV) Services

Over 2020-2021 we convened a consumer committee to focus on developing a consumer-led evaluation process of our state’s SHaBBV services.  As part of these conversations we asked for help from SiREN researchers who undertook a rapid review of evidence they had undertaken in relation to:
1. Consumer evaluation of current SHABBV services in Western Australia (either NGO or government/hospital)
2. Consumer insights as to why they do not access SHABBV services.

A summary of the Rapid Review paper is included here.

We met again in April 2021 – minutes of that meeting are here and the key next step was to meet with WA Health to talk about funding for consumer led evaluation initiatives. We are excited to announce we have been invited to submit a joint project proposal with Health Consumers’ Council and SIREN to co-design evaluation of services funded by WA Health. In other words, if they are being funded by WA Health, they will provide a report back on outcomes important to consumers. We will post updates on this page when they are available.  We summarised the whole of these series of conversations in this one pager.

Stigma e-learning module

Meanwhile we are also very excited to announce that WA Health have committed to creating an e-learning module on stigma. This project is starting immediately – we will post updates here when available.

Background

The WA Sexual Health and Blood-borne Viruses Advisory Committee (WA SHaBBVAC) assists the WA Department of Health’s Chief Health Officer under Part 2, s.33 of the Public Health Act 2016. The WA SHaBBVAC includes members from non-government organisations, health service providers, researchers, policy-makers and three consumer representatives. You can read more about this Committee here. There is a consumer portal you can check out here.

HCC is working collaboratively with the three consumer members to develop a strategy to ensure a wider consumer voice is brought into the SHaBBVAC meetings.

• We met in December 2019 and again in February 2020 and agreed that the most effective next step is to ensure that outcomes for consumers are captured as part of the process of reporting on the Department of Health’s suite of Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus strategies.
• We convened a meeting on 31st March 2020 to create a Consumer Alliance of non profit organisations and grass roots consumers.
• An identified next step from this session was to convene a grassroots SHABBV consumer session to gather together people in the community, reaching out beyond the services to those who may not access current SHABBV services. The session explored how to engage with a wider group of people, and what kind of services they might like to see. This 1.5 hour session was facilitated by HCC and a summary of the session will be posted here soon.
  • The SHABBV Grass Roots Consumer Mtg 01 01 May 2020 audio from the Grassroots session is here (it’s about a five minute listen – just downloand and open the powerpoint, click on “slideshow” and press “play from start”)
  • A report from the event is available here.
• A second meeting was held with the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Viruses Consumer Alliance on 5th May which noted as a key action that the membership of the group needs to be consumer only, to meet monthly and progress the consumer evaluation of services. Quarterly meetings will be held with consumers and NGOs together. This is all being established currently (July 2020)

Staying in touch with the project

• Regular updates will be posted on this page
• You can also check the WA Department of Health web page on SHABBVAC
• There is also a Consumer Portal on the Primary Health Exchange managed by WA Primary Health Alliance

Consumers’ Experience of Sexual Health and Blood-Borne Virus (SHaBBV) Services

Since 2018 the Health Consumers Council has co-chaired the newly formed Sexual Health and Blood Borne Viruses Advisory Committee, convened after the new Health Services Act was established.

You can read more about this Advisory Committee here.

From 2019, there are consumers also sitting on this Committee, and this page is designed to provide relevant updates.

You can contact us on info@hconc.org.au if you require any further information.

This video and associated article provide information about choosing the right health service (at the right time) out of the many available in (Western) Australia.    This resource is provided by Health Direct.

What Care do I need – English

ما هي الرعاية التي أحتاجها؟ – Arabic

আমার কী কী সেবা দরকার? – Bengali

我需要什么医疗照顾服务？- Chinese Simplified

我需要什麼醫療照護服務？ – Chinese Traditional

Tôi cần được săn sóc gì? – Vietnamese