The Board of Health Issues Centre (HIC) announces the decision to close the entity and explore options for transitioning the operations of HIC so its legacy continues.
This has been a most difficult decision, reached following exhaustive but unsuccessful attempts to attract sufficient funding and cashflow to maintain HIC’s operations on a sustainable basis.
Health Issues Centre has championed consumer voices in the health system for nearly 40 years. Our training has enabled healthcare providers across the country to advance their practice in engaging consumers in designing and improving services, and enhanced the leadership capabilities of hundreds of consumer advisors. The work of HIC over the decades has not only highlighted the many issues affecting consumers, but advocated for consumers to be valued and respected as equal and active partners in their own healthcare and in health system transformation.
In recent years government funding for the overhead costs of the organisation was reduced, and ultimately withdrawn. This required a significant change to HIC’s business model, and the growth and diversification of our funding in a period of significant constraints in the sector. In 2023 a new strategic plan for achieving a renewed vision and purpose, while strengthening the organisation’s foundations, financial health and growing its reach and impact was developed.
After nearly 12 months of positive implementation of the new strategy, under the extraordinary leadership of CEO Alison Coughlan and a small but fiercely dedicated team, the Board reviewed the new business model’s achievement of objectives, outcomes and financial sustainability. While it was clear that HIC had taken significant steps forward, operations within the timeframe allowed by our financial reserves and with significant cashflow challenges were not able to be sustained.
The Board has determined that the best way forward is to transition the legacy of HIC to a like-minded organisation so that this important work can continue. The Board will, in the coming weeks, explore options for this transition that are aligned with our values of authenticity, partnership, equity and accountability.
This has been a heartbreaking decision and a challenging time for all involved in HIC, and we recognise the impact this news will have on our supporters and fellow champions of the consumer voice. The Board would particularly like to acknowledge Alison and our staff whose time with HIC will come to an end in the coming weeks. We thank them for their passion, commitment and hard work that saw the steady rebuilding of the financial and service base of HIC. We honour their resilience and recognise the personal toll of this very difficult decision.
We also want to acknowledge and thank the consumers and partners who have supported our work and strived to achieve HIC’s essential purpose to support, enable and advocate for meaningful and transformational consumer and community engagement in the healthcare system.
The services and operations of HIC will cease on 7th March 2024.
Further information will be provided as it becomes available. Please direct any questions in the meantime to info@hic.org.au.
Best regards,
Sophy Athan
Board Chair
