Our History

Health Consumers’ Council was officially launched on World Health Day on 7 April 1994.

HCC emerged from within the Department of Health (DoH) when staff there, together with consumer leaders, agreed it was important for there to be an independent voice for the community on all aspects of health.

HCC staff, members and community in 1995, when HCC moved into its new premises

This dedicated group recognised the need for an independent body to advocate for consumers in health policy, planning, and decision-making.

HCC was initially formed through the Health Advisory Network (HAN) of Western Australia, an innovative organisation of consumer and providers, established by the state government mainly to provide advice to the Minister for Health and the Commissioner, on the planning, policy, and administration of the state’s health services.

In the early 1990s, consumer leaders made the case that they should be included in the Health Advisory Network. The network then became the Health Consumers Network, before being formally established as the independent, not for profit organisation, Health Consumers’ Council.

More than 100 people attended the launch, including representatives from the Health Department, community groups and professional organisations. The Commissioner of Health at the time, Dr Peter Brennan, summed up HCC’s vision by stating that:

With regards to health care, the end product is better if the community have been involved in the decision making process.

In 1994, HCC had a board and two key staff – Executive Director Michele Kosky and office manager Sue Taylor. Prior to joining HCC, Michele had spent more than six years working for the WA AIDS Council, and was committed to consultation, cooperation and information. Maxine Drake soon joined HCC as the Community Development/Education Coordinator, to promote the Council and assist health consumer representatives to participate in the consultation process.

Maxine said at the time that it was clear she had “entered a dynamic agency with a band of inspiring and committed members”. The team made great strides in enhancing community understanding of health issues. By September 1995, as reported at the AGM, HCC had organised 24 education sessions on Health Consumer Issues, attended by more than 1000 people in total; held five public forums attended by 185 people in total, on topics such as health complaints legislation, and ethical thinking on health issues; produced two pamphlets to help consumers navigate WA’s health system; and provided information, advice and referral to 171 consumers via phone.

In such a short time, HCC was already gaining interest as an organisation who gave consumers a voice that was coherent, thoughtful, and a force to be reckoned with.

Over the past 30 years, HCC has championed and supported thousands of people in asserting
their rights and making their voices heard in health service delivery. We remain focused on ensuring that the rights and interests of all Western Australians are listened to, understood, and upheld, with particular attention to those who have been marginalised or whose voices are often overlooked.

HCC is “by the people, for the people” – we are governed by members of the WA community and our staff use both their learned experience and lived and living experience in our work.

We’re very proud that while there are similar consumer organisations in other states that advocate at a systemic level, WA is the only state that recognises the importance of individual advocacy.

Minister for Health, Mr Graham Donald Kierath in 1995, with a poster featuring some of HCC’s members

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Our History