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- Consumer Advisors
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Consumer Advisors
Barwon Health supports people’s right to participate individually and collectively in the planning and implementation of their health care. Partnering with consumers is an important strategy to improve patient care, as consumers have first-hand experience of health services. Barwon Health does this by partnering with Consumer Advisors.
A Consumer Advisor is a person who voices lived experience perspectives and takes part in decision-making as a representative of the community.
Ideally Consumer Advisors are well connected in their community and are able to access the perspectives of many.
They are actively involved in the development, planning and quality improvement of services, and the measure and improvement of patient and family experience. Opportunities range from sitting on Board and National Standards committees, to varying levels of participation on specific project steering committees and working groups.
Consumer Advisors are part of the community and reflect the diversity of the community.
It is a priority for Barwon Health to attract, recruit and support Consumer Advisors from:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- People who have a disability, or people who care for someone with a disability
- People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- People from LGBTIQA+ communities
- People who have experienced a mental health illness, or care for someone with mental health illness.
Current opportunities for Consumer Advisors
Community Advisory Committee
A number of positions are available. Please click here to learn about the committee and its members.
National Standards Committees
- Partnering with Consumers Committee
- Infection Prevention Committee
- Medication Safety Committee
- Comprehensive Care Committee
- Blood Management Committee
- Acute Deterioration Committee
Written Information Simply Explained (WISE)
WISE is a group of Consumer Advisors who review documents that are being developed by staff for patients and their families. WISE meets fortnightly on Tuesdays from 10.00am - 12pm. There is also an option to be emailed the documents to review in your own time, working to a fortnightly deadline.
Interested?
If you are interested in partnering with Barwon Health, please click here to fill out an online form.
For further information, contact the Consumer Experience Manager by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone (03) 4215 0477.
Barwon Health is committed to health screening and immunisation to protect its staff, consumer advisors, volunteers and patients against preventable diseases.
Training
Consumer Advisors are able to access training through:
- Safer Care Victoria https://www.safercare.vic.gov.au/support-and-training
- The Health Issues Centre https://hic.org.au
- Consumer Health Forum https://chf.org.au
- Lived Experience Australia https://www.livedexperienceaustralia.com.au
- Centre for Mental Health Learning Victoria https://cmhl.org.au
Community Advisory Committee (CAC)
The Community Advisory Committee is a sub-committee of the Barwon Health Board. This group advises the Board on issues relevant to the consumers of our community. To learn more please visit the Community Advisory Committee webpage.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 26 April 2023
Contact
Consumer Engagement Manager
Ph (03) 4215 0477
consumer.advisor@barwonhealth.org.au
Useful Links
National Safety and Quality Health Service Standard – Partnering with Consumers
Safer Care Victoria’s framework for partnering with consumers