Released 14/06/2023
The ACT Government will establish a new consumer reference group led by the Health Care Consumers Association (HCCA) to provide input into all health infrastructure projects across the Territory, including the new northside hospital.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the group will provide expert advice and guidance to government, to ensure that health infrastructure projects in the ACT consider the needs of healthcare consumers and carers.
“The ACT Government is committed to working with and listening to consumers and carers to ensure our health facilities are safe, welcoming and accessible for patients, carers and visitors.
“During our community consultation on the northside hospital last year, we heard loud and clear that visitor and patient experience is critical to developing new facilities, with nearly a quarter of total feedback received relating to the design, layout and features of patient areas,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
The new consumer group will play an important role in co-designing the new northside hospital and other health infrastructure projects, in collaboration with clinicians and the wider community.
The group will help coordinate and oversee consumer and carer engagement on health infrastructure projects in the ACT, providing invaluable advice on matters such as design, accessibility, safety and amenities. It will work collaboratively with existing clinical, consumer and community groups to achieve the best outcomes for our community.
“This builds off the important work undertaken in the co-design of the Critical Services Building at Canberra Hospital. The thorough and comprehensive work by the Canberra Hospital Expansion Consumer Reference Group is a fantastic example of how we can incorporate important consumer and carer feedback into design.
“Some of this feedback has included simple but very useful and functional patient room design improvements including dedicated consumer power points, dimmable lights and accessible toilets with electronic doors,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
The Consumer Reference Group was established in late 2019 to ensure the voices of patients, carers and families were heard, with the group finalising its work in late 2022. Some of the design elements influenced by the group include:
- Better patient rooms (the inclusion of carer zones and beds, dimmable lighting, and dedicated consumer power points in practical places)
- New family spaces (the inclusion of a private family respite lounge with kitchenette, meeting room and showers, as well as a patient and carer lounge)
- New Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lounge (enabling access to support in a centrally located position, with an outdoor space and yarning circle)
- Improved accessibility (a more accessible design in patient ensuites, service counters at wheelchair level, and more intuitive wayfinding and signage)
- Emergency Department improvements (a new reception centre for better patient flow and an improved patient experience with a kid’s play zone and a sensory room)
- Other amenities (the inclusion of outdoor gardens, improved public spaces and personal storage areas)
This successful consumer consultation process will be replicated in the early planning and ongoing design of the new northside hospital.
"The new consumer group is an opportunity to build on lessons learned and ensure the needs of consumers are reflected as we continue to deliver significant health infrastructure projects across the ACT,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
Expressions of interest for the health infrastructure community reference group will be advertised in the coming weeks and the group will be up and running before the end of the year.
Community and stakeholder consultation on the design of the new northside hospital is expected to commence later this year.
Quote attributable to Health Care Consumer's Association Executive Director, Darlene Cox
We're excited to partner with the ACT Health Directorate to start a new consumer group focussed on health infrastructure. This group will help to ensure that the needs of consumers and carers are heard and become part of the design of our new health buildings. HCCA has a long history of involvement with health infrastructure design, including bringing consumer input to the University of Canberra Hospital, community centres and the current Canberra Hospital Expansion Project.
We look forward to taking what we've learned, and hearing from community members, to shape new health projects including the northside hospital.
For more information on both the new northside hospital and Canberra Hospital Expansion Project, visit builtforcbr.act.gov.au.
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Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases