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The latest consumer opportunities from Health Consumers Queensland
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In this issue:

Welcome to our weekly round-up of opportunities, events and updates for HCQ's network members
Living alongside COVID-19 in Queensland 

**TODAY**  HCQ's Living with COVID-19 Coffee and Connect


Consumers and carers: talk about what living alongside COVID is like for you.

Join us via Zoom tonight: 27 January 2022 at 5.30pm.


Whether or not you have tested positive to COVID-19, over the coming days and weeks HCQ needs to hear consumers and carers’ voices more than ever to influence and help improve Queensland Health's systems, care and communications.  

During these informal sessions you will be able to:
  • Share your experiences in a safe, respectful space with people who can relate to your experience and circumstances
  • Tell us what it's like to navigate the health system at this time especially if you, your loved one or someone you care for has an existing or underlying health condition or is considered 'vulnerable'
  • Flag up whether you are you getting the care you need
  • Share what you've heard through your networks and community groups
  • Know that HCQ will be sharing key issues at a strategic level within Queensland Health.
Who is Coffee and Connect for?
Health consumers and carers, consumer representatives, staff of consumer organisations and community members.

Can't make it or Zoom sessions are not for you?
Tell us what it is like for you by jotting down your thoughts in this online form which will be checked regularly by HCQ staff.  

Do I have to register each time I want to attend?
Click on the link below to register and receive your link. You can then use the same link to attend each session without registering again so keep it handy. 

Please note: These sessions are moving to a Wednesday and will be held once a week alternating between 10-11am and 5-6pm. Look out for an invitation to join next week's session on Wednesday, 2 February at 10am.
Register for Coffee and Connect

HCQ and QDN lead call for immediate action to protect and prioritise Queenslanders with disability as Omicron approaches peak


On Tuesday, 25 January 2022, Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) and HCQ, together with consumers and a diverse group of organisations representing consumers, community and professional organisations, and unions issued a joint open letter to the Commonwealth and State governments calling for immediate actions to ensure the protection, health and wellbeing of Queenslanders with disability.

The letter was written when serious concerns were raised by consumers with disability, their communities and representative organisations about access to testing, PPE, crucial supplies, services and supports as the Omicron variant approaches a peak.

We are calling for:
  • people with disability and their families to be formally recognised as a priority cohort to access vitally needed supplies, services, and supports in the same way as the Commonwealth residential aged care sector.
  • priority access to testing, vaccinations, boosters, and protective equipment for people with disability, including people with mental health, and chronic conditions, supported through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Queensland Community Support Scheme (QCSS) and community mental health and community care organisations, and their carers.
  • And other key actions.
Please read the letter below which sets out all the urgent actions we seek.

This is the first time that professional organisations and unions representing clinicians, nurses, midwives and pharmacists have come together with consumers and consumer/community organisations and peaks to speak up and advocate on behalf of people with disability.

Thank you to everyone who has shared their stories, experiences and recommendations for the actions which must be taken.

We will keep you informed about the Commonwealth and State governments' responses.
Open letter to the Commonwealth and State governments

How you are going living alongside COVID-19?


If you have stories, experiences or ideas you wish to share, please add them to this online form. We have created it so that you can share things with us at a time that is convenient for you.

These will be gathered anonymously and shared with relevant Queensland Health leads and others in the health system to help Queenslanders get the support and care they need.
Share your experience with COVID-19

Catch up: COVID-19 vaccination and children (5years+): Q&A 


If you missed HCQ and Children's Health Queensland's recent Live Q&A on the COVID-19 vaccination and children (5+), watch the recording now to hear experts answer the most common questions from Queensland families. 

You can find time stamps/chapters on the recording to help you jump to the sections you are most interested in.

Thank you for your patience in waiting for this recording and for your questions and suggestions about further sessions.  Together with Children's Health Queensland, we are looking at all the different ways information can be shared so you can make informed choices and decisions and we'll keep you updated.

Catch up on COVID-19 vaccination and children 5 years + Q&A

Get COVID ready - download resources co-designed with consumers


The rapid spread of the Omicron variant may have left you feeling unprepared for if you or your family test positive for the virus. If you haven’t already, download these helpful COVID-ready resources from Queensland Health.

They have been co-designed with consumers across Queensland and the team here at HCQ. They include checklists, videos, family plans, care plans and vital information in many different formats.

We are about to support a rapid consumer review/update by Queensland Health of these. However, with case numbers escalating, we suggest making use of the currently available versions now.

We would love to hear your feedback on the Get COVID-Ready website and resources. Email us at consumer@hcq.org.au

Children's Health Queensland also have some helpful resources on their website for families about getting tested, vaccinations, caring for your child at home and latest updates. 
QH Get COVID ready resources
CHQ resources for families
Consumer opportunities

Thank you for being part of Health Consumers Queensland's network and sharing our vision for a health system which:

  • delivers quality and safe health services
  • values the voice of consumers and carers in how health services are designed and delivered.

We help to make this possible by working with Queensland Health and other health organisations to offer consumers and carers a broad range of opportunities to engage right across the system.

New opportunities are added to this eAlert each week and are also available on our website.  We encourage you to apply for these roles to positively influence and improve the health care experience for everyone in Queensland. 

You can also register on here to attend our events and courses. Share your views and develop your knowledge and skills whilst meeting other consumers and staff members who are passionate about genuine and meaningful consumer engagement. 

Need guidance on the reimbursement and remuneration of consumers?

Not sure you've got the right experience? See our top tips for applying for roles.

**NEW** Join the Statewide Anaesthesia and Perioperative Care Clinical Network Steering Commitee


Closing date: 9am, Friday 25 February 2022

The Statewide Anaesthesia and Perioperative Care Clinical Network (SWAPNet) is seeking one consumer representative to be a member of the Steering Committee. The SWAPNet is a broad, representative group of multidisciplinary clinicians that provide input into and influence key decision makers and health services in Queensland.

SWAPNet was established in 2007 to:

  • Identify and drive initiates to improve the quality, safety and effectiveness of anaesthesia and perioperative care in Queensland.
  • Provide expertise, direction and advice to the Department of Health in relation to anaesthesia and perioperative care related service planning and emerging issues at the local, statewide and national levels.
  • Develop an open and supportive environment for clinicians and consumers in relation to anaesthesia and perioperative care in Queensland.
  • Foster education and research in anaesthesia and perioperative care best practice.
Find out more about this opportunity, including the role of the consumer and who it would suit, and apply below
Read more
Terms of Reference

Join the Statewide Services: Assessment and Review Panel and Implementation Working Group

Closing date: 9am, Monday 31 January 2022

The Department of Health invites one health consumer representative* to participate in two separate, but interrelated, Queensland Health statewide service committees. These are:

  1. The Statewide Services: Assessment and Review Panel (ARP) assesses whether a service should become a statewide service, monitors the performance of endorsed statewide services and provides advice to higher level committees.
  2. The Implementation Working Group (IWG) meets primarily to work through complex issues associated with highly specialised services and statewide services.

Your lived experience will provide a unique perspective to both committees and contribute to discussions to improve health outcomes and equitable access for all Queenslanders.

*It would be optimal to have one representative due to the associations between the ARP and IWG; however, this not a mandatory requirement.

What are Statewide Services and who is this opportunity for? Read more below.

 

Read more
Terms of Reference

Improve health outcomes for people living with or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes


Closing date EXTENDED: 9am, Monday 7 February 2022
  • Do you have a passion and commitment to improving health outcomes for people living with type 2 diabetes or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes?
  • Have you been affected by, or have experience of type 2 diabetes, and are either currently accessing or have accessed the public health system?
  • Have you been advised by your doctor you have pre-diabetes or another condition which puts you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes?
  • For women, are you pregnant with gestational diabetes, or have you had gestational diabetes during any of your previous pregnancies?

Queensland Health invites consumers and carers to participate in a focus group about type 2 diabetes and the public health system for the Chronic Disease Prevention Systems Analysis Project on Thursday 17 February 2022 (two options are available on this day).

The focus group will gather information and insights to improve Queensland Health’s understanding of what chronic disease prevention activity is currently happening, especially relating to type 2 diabetes, and, importantly, what could be possible or enhanced.

Successful applicants will be active participants offering their perspective and input based on their experience, bringing a whole-of-health-system mindset, and building relationships and connections that support the project.

Read more

Join the Statewide Cancer Clinical Network

Closing date: 9am, Monday 7 February 2021

The Statewide Cancer Clinical Network (SCaCN) invites (1) one consumer representative to be a member of the Steering Committee. The SCaCN is a broad, representative group of multidisciplinary clinicians that have input to and influence key decision makers and health services in Queensland.

The SCaCN Steering Committee is a group of clinicians and consumer representatives across Queensland that provide strategic advice, guidance and expertise to public sector cancer care services regarding the accessibility and delivery of quality evidence-based cancer therapy in Queensland.

The Steering Committee members will have an understanding of cancer and challenges for people with cancer and/or for clinicians, and healthcare services; established connections with communities or teams involved with cancer care; and the ability to recognise and respond to the current environment and lead improvement. A consumer or carer representative will also have at least six months’ experience representing consumers on executive level committees or working groups.

Click on the link below to find out more about the role, SCaCN's current priorities and how to apply.

 

Read more
HCQ's training program 2022

Take part in an HCQ training event and get ahead with your consumer partnerships in 2022

 

For health consumers and carers

Fundamentals of Consumer Partnerships
Dates: Tuesday 15 February 2022 and Wednesday 16 February 2022
Time: 10am-12pm on both days
For consumers or carers who have been partnering with health organisations and want to strengthen your partnerships.

Over two days, these two hour sessions with HCQ Engagement Advisor, Reema Naresh and experienced consumer, Phil Carswell will deepen your knowledge of consumer partnerships in health, strengthen your skills and strategies and help you understand your role as a health consumer in partnering effectively with health organisations.

Our training sessions are designed to be friendly, casual and supportive, helping participants to feel competent and confident to share ideas, thoughts and feedback.

Register
Other opportunities

Apply for QDN's 2022 Emerging Leaders Program for Queenslanders with disability 

Queenslanders with Disability Network is looking for people with disability interested in developing their leadership skills through being part of QDN’s Emerging Leaders program.

Are you a person with disability who lives in Queensland? Are you interested in:

• Building your leadership skills, knowledge, attributes, and qualities

• Connecting with other emerging leaders to share your leadership learning journey

• Connecting with established and knowledgeable leaders to learn from their experience

• Engaging in critical thinking and reflection about leading and making change happen

• Committing to being part of a program for 10 months.

You might not feel like you are a leader, however, everyone can be a leader in their own lives. This program provides people with disability a space to be able to build skills and practice techniques to become leaders.

Successful applicants from all over Queensland will be part of monthly training sessions, which will range from face-to-face meetings in Brisbane (where required travel and accommodation will be provided), online interactive sessions, mentorship, activities to develop critical thinking, exploring leadership theory, practice and techniques, holding inquiring conversations, building relationships, and connecting with established leaders.

Read more and apply

Scholarships for aspiring directors with disability


Closing date: 13 February 2022

Inclusion, diversity and equity require leaders with disability to be part of decision making across business. 

Without Board and Executive representation, businesses are not making informed decisions with true market representation. 

The Australian Network on Disability (AND) and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) are partnering to support leaders with disability to remove barriers for securing board positions by increasing their governance knowledge. 

In this initiative, 15 full-fee scholarships are being offered to undertake either the Foundations of Directorship program or the Company Directors Course at AICD in 2022. 


In addition, eight months of mentoring with an Australian business leader will also be provided by AND to help maximise board career opportunities. 
Read more

Are you passionate about outcomes for children and young people across Queensland?


Queensland Health is advertising for a Consumer Carer Coordinator in the Child and Youth Mental Health Service.

The Child and Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS) at Children's Health Queensland specialises in helping infants, children and young people up to the age of 18 years who have complex mental health needs.

The position of Consumer Carer Coordinator will lead the delivery of a high level consumer carer consultation, participation and support service, as a member of a multi-disciplinary team, to optimise consumer carer participation and outcomes for children and young people and their families who present with severe and complex mental health problems and disorder.
Read more

What influences youth self-harm and suicide risk?


Researchers at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute are leading the Atlas study in partnership with Roses in the Ocean. a suicide prevention organisation, with funding support from Suicide Prevention Australia to understand how to better support the needs of young people in their local communities.
 
They are seeking young people aged 15-21 with lived experience of self-harm and/or suicidality living in Central Queensland to take part in small focus groups.  
 
The focus groups will be hosted online via Zoom in the next 3-4 weeks. Participants will be reimbursed with a gift card.

 
Register your interest
Join our Statewide network

We invite you to join our network of Queensland consumers, carers and staff of health organisations. Our shared focus is creating strong and sustainable consumer partnerships in Queensland. By joining you will become a part of a network of skilled, connected people working together to make the health system the best it can be.

Join the Health Consumers Queensland statewide network
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