Health Consumers Tasmania

18/10/2026

Conversion practices are harmful. Everyone deserves to be safe, respected and supported in who they are.

We recognise the harms caused by conversion practices on LGBTQIA + people and support legislative measures to prevent these practices and protect people from harm.

Some important facts:
- Conversion practices seek to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
- These practices are associated with serious psychological harm, including depression, anxiety, shame and increased risk of suicidality.
- Conversion practices are not recognised as legitimate, evidence-based healthcare.
- Victoria, NSW, the ACT and other Australian jurisdictions have already introduced laws prohibiting conversion practices.
- These laws distinguish harmful conversion practices from appropriate healthcare, supportive counselling, ordinary family conversations and religious expression.

Protecting people from harm is a fundamental responsibility of our health system.

We support efforts to end conversion practices and ensure that all Tasmanians can access safe, respectful and affirming healthcare.

🔗 To learn more and sign the petition to show your support see: Equality Tasmania

You can help end LGBTIQA+ conversion practices in Tasmania. Act now, support the bill Tasmanian conversion Survivors tell their stories Tasmanian conversion practice survivors have harrowing stories to tell about the damage these practices cause. Hear Bron’s story and Glen’s story: Read the ABC ...

30/09/2026

Have you or someone you care for experienced medication reviews or reducing medicines?

Health Consumers Tasmania is looking for consumers, family members and carers to join a focus group for a project led by Primary Health Tasmania to develop guidelines and information about “deprescribing”.

We're want to hear from Tasmanians who have experience with:

• Taking medicines regularly
• Having a medication review
• Reducing or stopping medicines (deprescribing)
• Supporting a family member or friend with their medicines

Check out our website for more information about what's involved and to express interest.

Hurry - Expressions of Interest close Monday 5 October 2026.

Apply here: EOI: https://healthconsumerstas.org.au/eoi-help-improve-information-about-medicines/

ID – a person is sitting in an outdoor setting using a laptop with their back to the viewer.

28/09/2026

Did you know that all health workers have a code of conduct, even those that may not be in a profession that is regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Ahpra?

Check out information about the Code of Conduct for Unregistered Health Workers in Tasmania which came into effect in June this year. The Office of the Health Complaints Commissioner is responsible for any complaints in relation to unregistered health workers and has information out about the Code for both consumers and health workers.

On the website we've got plain English information about the Code, links to the HCC information and also a letter from the Health Complaints Commissioner, detailing the changes that have occurred and inviting feedback from consumers and health workers too, so check it out!

https://healthconsumerstas.org.au/new-code-of-conduct-for-unregistered-health-workers/

ID: A tile with a grey background. The logo for HCT and the Office of the Health Complaints Commissioner is visible. There is a infographic of a megaphone. The text reads 'Unregistered Health Workers Code of Conduct'.

20/08/2026

Our August newsletter is out now. Check it out to hear our latest news and opportunities to have a say in health.
https://mailchi.mp/healthconsumerstas/20240628-16569943
ID A grey and blue background with a teal megaphone. The text reads 'August Newsletter Our Now!'. The HCT logo is visible in the bottom left corner.

18/08/2026

Were we as keen as mustard to do a site visit at the James Scott Wing of the NE Soldier's Memorial Hospital?! Absolutely we were!

Better Health 4 Dorset has advocated for some time to see this space effectively utilised, so it was great to have the opportunity to see the space with some members today with the tender process now open.

We're excited about the potential and possibilities to see greater access to the health and wellbeing services that the people in Dorset need.

Thank you for getting this ball rolling Bridget Archer.

If you are a health service or practice, community organisation or group, or another organisation, and are interested in this space and collaborating with the community, please get in touch.

ID: A photo of HCT CEO Ellen wearing earrings shaped like a mustard bottle. The text on the earrings reads "keen as".

16/08/2026

Could you help make Tasmania's health system better for everyone?

Health Consumers Tasmania is seeking passionate and committed people to join our Board. We're currently recruiting for Directors, a Chairperson and a Treasurer.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute your skills, experiences and perspective to an organisation that champions the voices of health consumers and communities across Tasmania.

Whether you have previous board experience or are looking to take the next step in community leadership, we encourage you to explore the opportunity.

If you're passionate about making a difference and want to be part of something that truly matters, we'd love to hear from you.

👉 Find out more and submit an Expression of Interest through our website - link in the comments

ID: An image with a teal and dark blue background. The HCT logo is in the bottom left corner and an illustration of three people sitting around a table with a lightbulb above them is in the middle. The text reads: "Help shape the future of health advocacy in Tasmania. Join our board"

18/06/2026

What an incredible day it was yesterday launching our brand new paper and online resource It's OK to Say - A Healthcare Rights and Complaints Resource for Tasmanians.

Sincere thanks and gratitude to Secretary, Department of Health, Tasmania, Dale Webster for launching on behalf of the Hon. Bridget Archer and Public Health Services, Healthy Tasmania for funding this work.

A very important thanks to HCT's incredible Hannah Fielder who led this work and our Consumer Oversight Group who drove this innovation beside her. Thanks also to our stakeholders that worked with us to bring this to life - Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Ahpra, Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Healthcare, Office of the Health Complaints Commissioner and the many community service organisations too. This work only comes to life in such an incredible way when we have all the right people in the room and we were so privileged to have just that.

Thanks also to the incredible graphic designer, Yaz of Rich-Media for your incredible art and design work.

Healthcare rights are so important and we are proud to spread the word and provide tools to support people to know what to do when something doesn't feel right with their care. This is an Australian first and innovation built by Tasmanians for Tasmanians.

Check out the photos from the day and our resource at the link in the comments.

Image credit: Cassie Sullivan / IG:

17/06/2026

It’s OK to Say – A healthcare rights and complaints resource is now available.

We have a range of paper and online resources to help Tasmanians better understand healthcare rights and what steps you can take if you need to take it further.

Navigating health complaints can be complex and challenging and we hope this resource will help Tasmanians feel more confident to know what to do and where they can go to take it further.
Designed by Tasmanians, for Tasmanians, the online tool takes you through each of the steps, asking you information about your experience and provides recommendations on where to go next.

Check it out at
https://healthconsumerstas.org.au/something-feel-off/

ID: A pink background with text that reads ‘Did something feel off with your care? It’s OK to Say’. There are images of Fagus leaves, a ladybug and a blue fairy wren sitting on a branch.

16/06/2026

It was fabulous to meet with the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Rebecca White last week to give her a sneak peak of our It's OK to Say resource and to discuss health complaints and regulatory reform.

Thank you for your support, Rebecca. We are looking forward to continuing to work with both State and Federal Governments to see complaints and regulatory reform that support safer healthcare and better outcomes for Tasmanian patients.

Keep an eye out for more information about our new resources which are launching today!

ID: A photo of Hannah (HCT Advocacy and Impact Lead), Rebecca and Ellen (HCT CEO). They are smiling holding It's OK to Say posters and brochures.

12/06/2026

The Health Revolution - 20 Year Preventive Health Strategy has recently been launch by Health Minister Bridget Archer. The Department of Health, Tasmania has heard from thousands of Tasmanians to inform this strategy and the first Action Plan.

We wanted to share our thanks and gratitude to everyone that put so much into this consultation, in particularly people from all across the state that attended workshops and the Preventive Health Consumer Advisory Group.

As an organisation we are excited to see such a great focus on consumer governance and leadership, in particular building on the important work that has happened across the state where there has been incredible outcomes where decision making has sat in the hands of consumers and communities. As this quote from a Tasmanian says, relationships must be front and centre in prevention, and it is encouraging to see this focus and time given to establish good governance.

Tasmanians want to be a part of a healthier future and we hopeful for the opportunities this brings!

If you want to know more or get involved, please reach out via messenger or email [email protected]

Read the Strategy and Action Plan on the Department of Health website: https://www.health.tas.gov.au/publications/health-revolution-our-pathway-living-well-tasmania-2026-2046

ID: A blue and teal background with the HCT logo in white. There is a blue megaphone icon and the text reads: “Relationships are at the centre of any preventive health strategy”
Ulverstone Participant -
Preventive Health Consultation
The Health Revolution - 20 Year Preventive Health Strategy is here!