Policy & Advocacy
AHHA Policy and Advocacy Program
Over the last few years AHHA implemented and refined a successful approach to developing national policies. The AHHA gives its members opportunities to directly influence healthcare reform, including participating in delegations to Ministers/central agencies and national inquiries/reviews by developing policies and advocacy programs.
The approach uses a kind of ‘Communities of Practice’ model that brings together interested professionals across a range of settings and jobs.
Elements of the AHHA Policy and Advocacy Program
Over the last few years AHHA implemented and refined a successful approach to developing national policies. The approach uses a kind of ‘Communities of Practice’ model that brings together interested professionals across a range of settings and jobs.
Following identification of topic areas for developing policies (through strategic planning with the AHHA National Council, and in response to topical issues), the approach applies the following process:
- Agreement to a partnership where applicable;
- Nomination of a coordinator(s);
- Formation of a policy core group to write the draft paper (either by invitation and/or open expressions of interest);
- Discussion of the draft paper at a small number of teleconferences involving the full policy group;
- Discussion of the penultimate paper at a policy think tank that allows for final refinement;
- Presentation of the final paper at a high-level roundtable; invited guests include Ministers, advisers, senior departmental officers, other stakeholders and members;
- Publication of the paper (print, website, flash drive);
- Promotion of the policy via mainstream and industry-specific media, various health events;
- Convening expert delegations to meet with relevant Ministers, advisers, senior departmental officers and assist with a campaign if necessary.
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Ongoing advocacy through strategic meetings and organised campaigns as above.
