2026 Nursing Event 3: Learning from Lived Experience

On 14 July 2026, the seminar "Learning from Lived Experience: benefits and missed opportunities" brought together people with lived experience across paediatrics, cancer and mental health to discuss examples of involvement in point-of-care and system-level initiatives aimed at improving experiences of care and care delivery. Panellists highlighted what worked well and why, while also reflecting on opportunities for improvement that had been missed when lived experience was absent from the conversation.

WATCH RECORDING

The event was Chaired by Dr Lauren Zarb, who was joined by consumer panellists Shu-Yi Soong, Hamilton Kennedy and Heather Renton.

ABOUT THE PANELLISTS

	Shu-Yi Soong, having personally experienced cancer and is a carer, is keen to share insights gained from Victoria and Asia to improve the Victorian healthcare system. Shu-Yi has completed The University of Melbourne’s Specialist Certificate in Health & Human Services to enhance her extensive lived experience in health settings beyond oncology. She is a consumer representative at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Safer Care Victoria and Victorian Cancer Integrated Services. Professionally, Shu-Yi is a finance business partner where she works with a diverse group of stakeholders to develop sustainable outcomes whilst negotiating complex priorities.
	Hamilton Kennedy is a Phd Candidate, researcher and educator. Their work explores the experience of “mental illness” and service use. This work is informed by their own experience of service use.
	Heather Renton is a freelance consumer health and disability engagement consultant and the Founder and former CEO of Syndromes Without A Name (SWAN) Australia. She is a passionate advocate for people with disability and those navigating complex health conditions, with a particular interest in genomic technologies, rare diseases and research co-design.