NSW Ministry of Health is updating the NSW Health guidance for animal visits and interventions in NSW Health Services. They are seeking carers who support someone who uses an assistance or therapy animal to participate in one of their focus groups. This includes carers whose loved one has had, or would have benefited from, a visit from their pet while in hospital or another healthcare setting.
The Social Policy and Health Equity (SPHE) branch is leading the review of NSW Health Guidelines for Animal Visits and Interventions in Public and Private Health Facilities in NSW (GL2012_007). Developed in 2012, the guideline is no longer fit for purpose and requires updating. The new guideline will have a broader focus on ‘animals in healthcare settings’, and provide practical guidance to NSW Health staff members.
SPHE invites you to join a focus group and share your feedback. Your feedback will help them to better understand the needs of the people you support, and ensure these are considered early in the development of the new guideline.
Mental Health Carers NSW is helping SPHE to recruit carers for this consultation.
When and where:
Date: Friday, 4th Sept 2026
Time: 1pm-2.30pm
Location/Format: Online meeting on Microsoft Teams
Pre-reading for the focus group:
One-page about the consultation + Reading/be familiar with the NSW Health Guidelines for Animal Visits and Interventions in Public and Private Health Facilities in NSW (GL2012_007)
Remuneration:
Participants will be remunerated a total of $125 as per MHCN’s Paid Participation Policy 2026 of $50/hour.
In total, participants will be paid for 2.5 hours (1 hour of background reading + 1.5 hours of consultation).
Privacy & Confidentiality:
Your privacy is important to us. Your responses will be held anonymously in a confidential and secure manner as per MHCN's policy. All data collected will be stored securely on a password protected server.
For more details, please refer to MHCN's privacy policy.
MHCN Privacy Policy
Guidelines for Participation:
Please read consultation guidelines for safe and effective participation.
MHCN Consultation Guidelines for Participants
The survey closes on Monday 31st August 2026, COB
You will be notified by email if your application is successful or unsuccessful.
If you need more information, email mhcnadmin@mentalhealthcarersnsw.org or call MHCN: 02 9332 0777
We greatly appreciate your interest in this focus group.
The Social Policy and Health Equity (SPHE) branch is leading the review of NSW Health Guidelines for Animal Visits and Interventions in Public and Private Health Facilities in NSW (GL2012_007). Developed in 2012, the guideline is no longer fit for purpose and requires updating. The new guideline will have a broader focus on ‘animals in healthcare settings’, and provide practical guidance to NSW Health staff members.
SPHE invites you to join a focus group and share your feedback. Your feedback will help them to better understand the needs of the people you support, and ensure these are considered early in the development of the new guideline.
Mental Health Carers NSW is helping SPHE to recruit carers for this consultation.
When and where:
Date: Friday, 4th Sept 2026
Time: 1pm-2.30pm
Location/Format: Online meeting on Microsoft Teams
Pre-reading for the focus group:
One-page about the consultation + Reading/be familiar with the NSW Health Guidelines for Animal Visits and Interventions in Public and Private Health Facilities in NSW (GL2012_007)
Remuneration:
Participants will be remunerated a total of $125 as per MHCN’s Paid Participation Policy 2026 of $50/hour.
In total, participants will be paid for 2.5 hours (1 hour of background reading + 1.5 hours of consultation).
Privacy & Confidentiality:
Your privacy is important to us. Your responses will be held anonymously in a confidential and secure manner as per MHCN's policy. All data collected will be stored securely on a password protected server.
For more details, please refer to MHCN's privacy policy.
MHCN Privacy Policy
Guidelines for Participation:
Please read consultation guidelines for safe and effective participation.
MHCN Consultation Guidelines for Participants
The survey closes on Monday 31st August 2026, COB
You will be notified by email if your application is successful or unsuccessful.
If you need more information, email mhcnadmin@mentalhealthcarersnsw.org or call MHCN: 02 9332 0777
We greatly appreciate your interest in this focus group.