Carers’ Recognition Act 2005 (DHW 2022-23 Annual Report)
The SA Health Consumer, Carer and Community Engagement Strategic Framework 2021-2025 reinforces our commitment to partnering with consumers, carers and the community in their own care as well as in planning, co-design, governance, measurement and evaluation of our health services.
The SA Health Consumer, Carer and Community Engagement Strategic Framework 2021-2025 is being evaluated in 2023, through consultation phase with Consumer Advisory and Engagement staff, and consumers. The revised Framework is planned for release early in February 2024.
Consumer, carer and community engagement is an essential function of governance undertaken by SA Health. SA Health has developed Consumer, Carer and Community Engagement Strategies to set the local direction and priorities for their communities. As part of the Local Health Network Service Agreement and National Safety and Quality Health Standards, they are required to provide an overview of “Partnering with Carers” and compliance with the Carers Recognition Act 2005, in their annual Safety and Quality Account Report.
The state-wide national Mental Health Carer Experience Survey continue to gather carer experience. The survey provides an insight into the carers’ experience with the mental health service. Mental health services have an opportunity to improve in providing relevant information to carers to accomplish their role, respecting and valuing the individual needs of carers.
Local Health Networks develop action plans based on the results of the survey, focusing on service improvements across their networks from the carer experience surveys. Examples of service improvements will be reported in their individual annual reports.