Partnering with consumers
Partnering with consumers is a key priority of the Commission. It is about actively working with people who use the healthcare system to ensure that care is safe, high-quality and meets people’s needs. It is embedded in health service organisations through the Partnering with Consumers Standard.
Partnering with consumers involves treating consumers with dignity and respect, sharing information, and encouraging participation and collaboration.
There is good evidence that working in partnership with consumers, and fostering person-centred approaches to care can help improve the safety and quality of care.
- Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights
The Charter describes what consumers can expect when receiving health care.
- Information for consumers
The Commission has developed a range of resources for consumers about safety and quality.
- Partnering with Consumers: A guide for consumers
A Guide developed by consumers for consumers to explain how to build and strengthen consumer partnerships in the health system.
- Patient Power: Healthcare Rights and Positive Change
A four episode podcast and vodcast series exploring how consumers can use the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights to make their voices heard.
- Decision support tools
Decision support tools on antibiotic use and osteoarthritis of the knee.
- Top Tips for Safe Health Care
The Top Tips are designed to help consumers get the most out of their health care. Translations of the Top Tips are available.
- Health literacy
The Commission has developed a National Statement of Health Literacy, fact sheets and other supportive resources.
- Shared decision making
Tools and resources to support shared decision making between clinicians and consumers. A free e-learning module is also available.
- Person-centred care
Person-centred care is care that is respectful of, and responsive to, the preferences, needs and values of the individual person.
- Person-centred healthcare organisations
Information about the attributes of high-performing person-centred healthcare organisations.
- Measuring partnerships with consumers
Resources to help health service organisations and clinicians measure, monitor and improve their approach to partnership with consumers.
- Partnering with consumers in the NSQHS Standards
Information about the Partnering with Consumers NSQHS Standard, frequently asked questions and other resources.
- Resources and publications
The Commission has developed a range of supportive resources on partnering with consumers and person-centred care.
- Informed consent
Resources to help consumers, clinicians and health service organisations understand and implement the key principles of informed consent.
Embedding partnerships with consumers into systems and processes
The Commission supports health service organisations in understanding the value of partnerships with consumers, how to engage with consumers and integrate person-centred approaches through the Partnering with Consumers Standard, and through the development of supportive resources.
Contact
You can contact the Commission's Partnering with Consumers program via email.