The Health and Disability Services Complaints Office (HaDSCO) undertakes a number of events and activities each year to raise awareness of our services.
A summary of activities are included in HaDSCO's annual report at the end of each year.
Community Outreach
An important aspect of HaDSCO’s role is to provide community outreach programs to provide education and training in the prevention and resolution of complaints.
Whilst HaDSCO offers an impartial complaints resolution service, it is important that service consumers and providers are able to resolve issues between themselves effectively and swiftly: HaDSCO’s community outreach and education activities aim to empower the community to do this.
HaDSCO runs a limited number of pre-planned engagement activities that are tailored to suit the needs of the community. Although every effort is made to offer wide spread outreach initiatives, as a small agency, HaDSCO cannot generally respond to all requests for information sessions. As a result, HaDSCO offers strategic and pre-planned activities that will enable the agency to reach stakeholders during times that are operationally suitable.
Activities include events, presentations, conferences, meetings and workshops.
If you would like HaDSCO to visit or provide information for your organisation or community group, please contact us.
Regional Awareness and Accessibility Program
HaDSCO is conscious that a number of communities face specific challenges accessing services. To improve accessibility and raise awareness of HaDSCO, the Office undertakes a number of Regional Awareness and Accessibility Program (RAAP) activities in regional areas. These activities are undertaken in collaboration with the Ombudsman Western Australia, Commonwealth Ombudsman and the Office of the Information Commissioner.
During Regional Visits, HaDSCO undertake complaint clinics, meetings, information sessions and provide information to local community groups and the general public. Information can also be translated into local languages to improve communication.
Indian Ocean Territories
The Health and Disability Services Complaints Office (HaDSCO) is an independent Statutory Authority offering an impartial resolution service for complaints relating to health, disability and mental health services in Western Australia and to the Indian Ocean Territories as part of a Service Delivery Arrangement with the Australian Government. The Indian Ocean Territories are made up of Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Christmas Island is located some 3800 kms from Perth and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands are 900 kms to the west of Christmas Island.
HaDSCO undertakes regional visits with the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (Consumer Protection Division) and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. Activities planned during the visits include:
- Complaints clinics with HaDSCO staff which provide service users with the opportunity to discuss their concerns with services received by health, disability and mental health service providers.
- Meetings with staff from the Shires, community organisations and health service providers.
- Provision of information about HaDSCO’s services at local community events.
National Commissioners' Meetings
Commissioners from health and disability complaint entities across Australia and New Zealand meet annually to discuss important operational and upcoming issues. These meetings offer complaints entities the opportunity to share expertise and best practice. Commissioners discuss a variety of topics including:
- Models for resolution and conciliation methods.
- Investigative processes.
- Legal issues and legislative frameworks.
- Data collection and reporting systems.
- Mechanisms for systematic and policy development.