Consumers Health Forum of Australia

Consumers Health Forum of Australia We are the national peak body representing the interests of Australian healthcare consumers.

We work to achieve safe, quality, timely healthcare for all Australians, supported by accessible health information and systems. We do this by:

-advocating for appropriate and equitable healthcare

- undertaking consumer-based research and developing a strong consumer knowledge base

- identifying key issues in safety and quality of health services for consumers

- raising the health literacy of consumers, health professionals and stakeholders

- providing a strong national voice for health consumers and supporting consumer participation in health policy and program decision making

One of the things we asked you in our National Consumer Sentiment Survey (NCSS) was: Are you able to access the health y...
14/11/2025

One of the things we asked you in our National Consumer Sentiment Survey (NCSS) was: Are you able to access the health you need, when you need it? Nearly half of the people we surveyed said that there was at least one time in the last year that they hadn't accessed healthcare they needed.

The most common reason for this was that the service wasn't available at the time they needed it (37.5%), closely followed by they couldn't afford it (34%).

We need more healthcare workers and services that are more affordable to meet the needs of the community.

You can read more about the findings of our NCSS here: https://www.chf.org.au/our-work/national-consumer-sentiment-survey

Consumer voices matter. The PaRIS Patient Advisory Panel Webinar, co-organised with the OECD will explore how patient-re...
13/11/2025

Consumer voices matter. The PaRIS Patient Advisory Panel Webinar, co-organised with the OECD will explore how patient-reported data and lived experience can drive health systems that truly put consumers at the centre.

Our CEO, Dr Elizabeth Deveny, will join a panel of consumer representatives and experts to share insights from PaRIS Cycle 1 and discuss how these findings can help influence better health policy to create real change.

Lived experience is the most powerful evidence. Be part of the conversation. Register here: https://meetoecd1.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_377-m4jlTuqdTKP8hmSSKQ #/registration

Over the past two days, representatives from CHF were please to attend and present at the National Multicultural Health ...
13/11/2025

Over the past two days, representatives from CHF were please to attend and present at the National Multicultural Health and Wellbeing Conference 2025.

Consumer voices were heard throughout, with advocates, government representatives and sector leaders sharing insights and experiences and discussing how we can bring together lived experience, research and advocacy to create real change. Speakers emphasised that data and evidence are vital for policy impact, but current data often fails to capture diverse needs accurately.

Preventative health was a major focus, along with the fact that stigma and bias remain widespread across the health system. Speakers emphasised that tackling racism in health should be the responsibility of systems and structures, not the people affected by it. There was also a strong call for leaders to think globally but act locally, and represent the needs and preferences of all Australians.

Multiculturalism is mainstream, and inclusion means more than presence; it’s about power and collaboration.

Connections and conversations at the conference were just as valuable as the presentations. It was great to see members of the Consumer Assembly and member organisations. This shared commitment to working together is helping build a more inclusive and equitable health system for multicultural communities.

The Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative
Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia - FECCA
VicHealth

Stigma and discrimination still exist in Australia’s healthcare system and can prevent consumers from seeking the care t...
11/11/2025

Stigma and discrimination still exist in Australia’s healthcare system and can prevent consumers from seeking the care they need.

As part of our commitment to consumer empowerment and preventive health, CHF is hosting its second CHF Talks event for 2025. This virtual session will explore how stigma impacts access to care, and what can be done to address this.

CHF Talks 2
Tuesday 9 December 2025
11.30 am – 1 pm AEDT

Dr Elizabeth Deveny, CHF CEO, will be joined by consumer advocates and industry leaders to discuss what stigma and discrimination against consumers looks like in modern day Australia and what we can do individually, and as a movement, to overcome it.

Click the registration link below to register: https://ow.ly/nRTX50XpMp1

Our CEO, Dr Elizabeth Deveny, features in this article from Guardian Australia exploring specialist referral fees, Medic...
10/11/2025

Our CEO, Dr Elizabeth Deveny, features in this article from Guardian Australia exploring specialist referral fees, Medicare rebates and the rights of health consumers. It’s an important conversation about transparency in healthcare and the need for clearer information for patients navigating the system.

You can read the full article here: https://ow.ly/k88H50Xp5Oj

Last week, CHF was proud to convene an in-person meeting of the Coalition of Preventive Health Funding in Sydney. Launch...
10/11/2025

Last week, CHF was proud to convene an in-person meeting of the Coalition of Preventive Health Funding in Sydney.

Launched at Parliament House in November last year, the Coalition brings together 19 of Australia’s leading consumer health organisations, working collaboratively to increase investment in community-backed preventative health.

The Government has promised to spend 5% of its health budget on prevention by 2030. At the meeting, we discussed what that actually means and how we can help make it happen.

The room was filled with integrity, wisdom and a deep commitment to lived experience, alongside a genuine desire to work together to create lasting change. The Government has set the target. And we’re here to help them reach it, and to make sure they do. Watch this space; our voices are louder when we unite.

Macular Disease Foundation Australia
Health Equity Matters
Dementia Australia
Hepatitis Australia
Cancer Voices NSW
Genetic Alliance Australia
Crohn's & Colitis Australia
Chronic Pain Australia
Arthritis Australia

We asked you in our recent National Consumer Sentiment Survey (2024), how can we improve our healthcare system?66% of pe...
09/11/2025

We asked you in our recent National Consumer Sentiment Survey (2024), how can we improve our healthcare system?

66% of people said that we need more healthcare professionals. Lower costs, better access to care, better quality of care and listening to patients were also key issues raised by survey respondents.

You can read the full results here:https://www.datocms-assets.com/144433/1761612001-consumer-sentiment-survey-2024.pdf

What would be your number 1 ask to improve Australia's healthcare? Let us know in the comments.

Affordability and accessibility challenges, as well as discrimination all contribute to Australia's healthcare system no...
07/11/2025

Affordability and accessibility challenges, as well as discrimination all contribute to Australia's healthcare system not being truly universal.

Our National Consumer Sentiment Survey let us know that people were missing out on care, or receiving different care based on their gender, their postcode or their bank account.

That shouldn't be the case in a wealthy country like Australia. There's work to be done, let's make Australia's healthcare system work for everyone.

Last week, our CEO Dr Elizabeth Deveny met with Alison Penfold MP for Lyne. The discussion centred around what the reali...
07/11/2025

Last week, our CEO Dr Elizabeth Deveny met with Alison Penfold MP for Lyne.

The discussion centred around what the reality is for her regional NSW electorate to access primary care. Ms Penfold's electorate has some consumers with lower levels of digital literacy and a preference for face-to-face medical consultations, but not enough primary and allied health workers in the area to meet these community needs.

We heard many of the same things that our National Consumer Sentiment Survey (NCSS) told us around lack of access to healthcare, lack of affordability and that there aren't enough healthcare workers in some areas.

We're going to keep talking about what we are both hearing from our respective communities. Ms Penfold let us know she was looking forward to the launch of our 2024 National Consumer Sentiment Survey report tomorrow, which again speaks to many of the issues identified in her community around healthcare access and affordability.

Listening to the voices of consumers is vital to shaping health policy that is both effective and accessible.You can rea...
03/11/2025

Listening to the voices of consumers is vital to shaping health policy that is both effective and accessible.

You can read the findings from our 2024 National Consumer Sentiment Survey here: https://ow.ly/ac3I50XlyfP

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing stories and quotes from a diverse range of Australian health consumers about their healthcare experiences and views on the system.

Expression of interest closing soon on 7 November.Advance Care Planning Australia values the power of lived experience a...
03/11/2025

Expression of interest closing soon on 7 November.

Advance Care Planning Australia values the power of lived experience and community insight. By joining their National Consumer Advisory Group, you can help shape the future of advance care planning in Australia.

To find out what’s involved and how to apply, visit Advance Care Planning Australia’s website:
https://ow.ly/uTfB50Xlybv

Today, CHF was proud to officially launch the report from the 2024 National Consumer Sentiment Survey (NCSS). Mark Butle...
29/10/2025

Today, CHF was proud to officially launch the report from the 2024 National Consumer Sentiment Survey (NCSS).

Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Ageing and Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, joined consumers, CHF staff and Members, along with other parliamentary dignitaries and supporters, to mark the launch.

The NCSS asked 5,000 Australians for their views on healthcare, and their message is clear: our healthcare system must be more affordable, accessible and responsive to their needs.

By listening, really listening, to health consumers, we can better understand the challenges they face and help ensure government decisions are based on strong evidence and real experiences, especially around the cost of care and navigating the health system. CHF is keen to keep this momentum going and is funded to deliver three more National Consumer Sentiment Survey reports over the next three years.

“The NCSS makes it clear: Australians expect a healthcare system that meets their needs,” said Dr Elizabeth Deveny.

“As the peak national health consumer organisation, CHF is driven by the voices of health consumers across Australia. We will continue to champion initiatives that promote greater patient and community involvement in shaping a healthcare system that works for everyone.”

You can read the 2024 NCSS Report here: https://www.chf.org.au/our-work/national-consumer-sentiment-survey

We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

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2601

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