CURRENT PROJECTS
Dianella CH and Royal Childrens Hospital Community Asthma Prevention (CAP) Project Evaluation
Julia Byford
Health Issues Centre has been funded by Dianella Community Health to conduct an evaluation of this program. The CAP is a community-based early intervention program that aims to improve health outcomes for children with moderate to severe asthma in the northern suburbs, and to reduce unnecessary use of health services, especially the Emergency Department (ED) at the Royal Children’s Hospital. Rather than just focussing on disease management, the CAP considers the social circumstances of the clients and families, e.g. ethnicity, socioeconomic status, mental health or other issues. CAP coordinates a range of health and social services to support families, which in turn will assist them to manage their child’s asthma.This evaluation will focus on client outcomes, quality of life and impact on health services and also review of the program model to see whether the stakeholders consider it still the most appropriate and cost effective.
Consumer participation in research project
Tere Dawson
In 2009, Health Issues Centre was successful in obtaining 12-month funding from the Victorian Cancer Agency to develop and deliver a program of training for consumer participation in research. The project includes consultations and workshops with consumers, carers and cancer researchers to develop a training program for consumer participation in cancer research. Once the program is developed, the training will be delivered in metropolitan and regional Victoria. The project will be completed in February 2010.
As a component of this project Health Issues Centre is conducting four sessions on consumer participation in research. The main aim of the project is to build the skills and knowledge of cancer consumers and carers to work in collaboration with cancer researchers in Victoria.
To participate you need to register by filling in the Registration Form (attached) and submit a brief resume (no more than 1 page) (use attached pro forma) about your advocacy or consumer participation work.
Consumer participation in research project information
Consumer participation in research project registration form
Consumer participation in research project resume
Quality Health Care Conversation Consumer Consultation
Assunta Morrone
Health Issues Centre has been funded by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care to deliver a one day workshop with consumers on the new National Safety and Quality Framework for Australia. The framework is designed to guide action to improve safety and quality of care in all healthcare settings over the next decade. If you would like to participate download the information form and registration form.
Quality Health Care Conversation Consumer Consultation Information
Quality Health Care Conversation Consumer Consultation Registration Form
2009 Participate in Health Conference
Julia Byford
Health Issues Centre has been funded by the Department of Human Services Statewide Quality Branch to organising the 2009 ‘Participating in Health – My Story Matters’ Conference. The Conference will be overseen by a reference group which includes consumers and members of the Participation Advisory Committee. The dates of the conference will be September 21 and 22 2009 and the conference will be held at Victoria University, 300 Flinders Street, Melbourne. Registrations will open soon.
For further information please contact Julia Byford on 9479 5827.
Was I still on the waiting list? A study about people waiting for public dental care
Nicola Bruce and Charin Naksook
This study involves people who have been on the waiting list for public dental treatment at Dianella Community Health, Broadmeadows, for two years or more. It explores the experiences and perceptions of public dental patients and includes those who do not end up using the service. The aim of the study is to investigate factors (including health literacy) influencing decisions made by people on public dental waiting lists to attend dental clinics and explore people’s perceptions of their oral health status and general health status, and associated behaviours, while waiting for public dental care.
Study on consumer perspectives on potential workforce changes
Panayiota Romios
This project intends to explore the experiences, preferences and acceptability of potential workforce changes in a number of health sectors among a diverse range of consumers, and to use this to broker some new consensus on core principles for future change.
The project will be finalised in June 2010
Audit of Health Service’s Quality of Care Reports
Tere Dawson,Julia Byford,Panayiota Romios and Jackie Mansourian
The aim of the audit is to inform the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the DHS Participation Advisory Committee on implementation of the strategic direction of the DHS Doing it with us not for us policy, as reported in 122 (2007–08) Quality of Care Reports received from Victorian health services.
The Quality of Care Reports were reviewed against the four sets of minimum consumer, carer and community participation reporting requirements set out in the Quality of care reports – guidelines and minimum reporting requirements for 2007–08:
In addition, the 2007–08 Quality of Care Reports were given an overall rating—a fifth criteria—with respect to implementation of Doing it with us not for us.
Development of a comprehensive suite of consumer, carer and community performance indicators for Victorian Health Services
Tere Dawson
This first project aims to develop a comprehensive suite of consumer, carer and community performance indicators for Victorian health services. The approach to develop the indicators will involve a consumer consultation, a literature review, a mapping exercise and a workshop with stakeholders to gain consensus on the final suite of indicators. The Lincoln Centre for Research and Ageing and the Centre for Quality Improvement Research and Practice will collaborate with Health Issues Centre to implement the project. Funding is provided by the Statewide Quality Branch, Department of Human Services
DHS Indicators project E Newsletter updates October 2008
DHS Indicators project E Newsletter updates January 2009
DHS Indicators project E Newsletter updates March 2009
Consumer Nominee Program
Assunta Morrone
Through the Consumer Nominee Program, Health Issues Centre is working to ensure the views of consumers, carers, community members, patients and carers are heard in the design and delivery of health services and in the development of health policy in Victorian and Australia.
Consumers and community members have recently been nominated by Health Issues Centre to participate in Department of Human Service Committees for Outpatient Reforms, HealthConnect, Care in Your Community, Review of Cardiac Services and Conference Planning. Other consumers have participated in a National Oral Health Advocacy Day in Canberra, conferences in Victoria and professional development workshops for health professionals.
Additional information for consumers, carers and community members and governments and health services is available from our Consumer Nominee page.
Support to the Victorian Community Advisory Committees
Assunta Morrone
Health Issues Centre supports the on-going development of 19 Victorian Community Advisory Committees (CACs) in Metropolitan and Regional Health Services.
The key role of CACs is to promote and advocate for participation across all levels of their health service. Health Issues Centre is available to support individual CACs with their own specific priorities and the whole of CAC network as common themes and issues unfold. One significant contribution Health Issues Centre makes is to the orientation of new Resource Officers as they begin their journey of supporting CACs.
