Australian Patient Organisation Network conference

IN SYDNEY.
2^nd and 3^rd May 2019.

The Centre for Community-Driven Research (CCDR) and the Australian Patient Organisation Standing Committee (APOSC) – a group of eight organisations including MS Australia, Unicorn Foundation, SMA Australia, hearts4heart, Muscular Dystrophy WA, Lymphoma Australia, Save Our Sons Duchenne Foundation and CCDR – developed the concept of holding an annual conference for all patient organisations in Australia.

CCDR and the APOSC convened its inaugural Australian Patient Organisation Network (APON) conference in Sydney over two days in May. ADHD Australia’s CEO, Mr Len Russell, attended the APON conference along with over 150 other attendees, making it one of the largest gatherings of diverse patient organisations in the country.

Among the guest speakers were:
*   The Hon Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health, Member for Flinders,
*   The Hon Dr Gary Johns, Commissioner, Australian Charities and Non-Profit Commission,
*   Ms Penny Shakespeare, Deputy Secretary, Health Financing Group, Australian Department of Health,
*   Professor Anne Kelso, CEO National Health and Medical Research Council,
*   Dr Rachel David, CEO Private Healthcare Australia,

The conference presented a unique opportunity to hear from a number of prominent persons within the health sector and government. It also forded the opportunity to meet other patient organisations, build capacity and networks. It provided an opportunity for patient organisations and those working in clinical trials, patient support, service provision, research and policy, across various disease areas to learn from each other.

Len attended two workshops covering ‘Mental Health’ and ‘Paediatrics and Mental Wellbeing’ where each charity represented could share their opportunities and challenges in Advocacy, Support Services, Information and the raising funds for Research. We will utilise this and other growing networks of like-minded organisations to build capacity within our own organisation, share experiences and skills with others, to improve the lives of those living with ADHD and their families.