New self-care alliance

WELL KNOWN pharmacist John Bell (pictured) has been named as the inaugural chair of the Australian Self‐Care Alliance, a new body uni ng health advocates across industry and charity bodies seeking to “embed self‐care in na onal health and care sector policy”.

The organisa on’s Board also includes Deon Schoombie, CEO of Consumer Healthcare Products Australia; Asthma Australia

CEO Michele Goldman; Flinders University Professor in the College of Medicine and Public Health, Sharon Lawn; consumer advocate Russell McGowan; Dr Stephen Carbone, founder of Preven on United; Karen Booth from the Australian Primary Care Nurses Associa on; Dr John LiN from Flinders Univesity; and Kathleen Weaver from HCF Health.

The Alliance is a recognised health promo on charity, formed to support and promote the adop on of self care and its implementa on as a core element of all aspects of physical and mental health services and policies for Australia.

“While the term ‘self‐care’ implies a focus on ac ons of individuals, governments and policymakers play a major role in crea ng environments that either inhibit or enable self care,” a statement from the organisa on noted.

Bell said while Australia’s current health and care services are geared to primarily engage individuals when they are already unwell with preventable condi ons, “there is good evidence that responsible health care improves individual health outcomes and contributes towards crea ng a sustainable healthcare system”.

“The Australian Self‐Care Alliance represents a coali on of health advocates, prac oners and experts who agree that health and health care should be regarded as co‐produced by health professionals with individuals and communi es,” he added.

“Greater self‐care is the missing piece of the puzzle.”