Community and Clinician Engagement
Introduction
NSW Health is committed to providing the best care possible to the community, involving health consumers and clinicians in decisions about the health system. Together we work to improve the health of people in their communities.
Consumer engagement in health is about people who use health services having a say about their own health and about how health services are provided to them and others. A “consumer” includes all people who use (or could potentially use), a health service.
Why is health participation important?
- It helps make services better
- Your community knows about local issues and which local solutions may help
- Local Health Districts want to know the needs and priorities of local communities
- Communities want more say in how their health services are run
- It provides an avenue for two way communication
- It is an important part of health service planning and evaluation
There are many ways people can participate at a local level. Each health service is different but often includes:
- On-going local health service advisory councils
- Seeking community views about specific issues facing the health service
- Working with local groups who have knowledge of particular health problems
- Having consumer and community representatives on health service committees
The existing framework for engagement has been informed by Partners in Health – Sharing information and making decisions together (2001), with the Government Response and A clear voice for clinicians and the community (2004), with the Government Response .
Health Care Advisory Council (HCAC)
We are committed to involving consumers and clinicians in planning and evaluating health services.
The Health Care Advisory Council, with Local Health District Boards at http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/lhd/
operate at different levels across NSW Health to ensure effective involvement for consumers and clinicians in planning, policy development and service delivery.
The Health Care Advisory Council is the peak clinical and community advisory group which provides advice to the NSW Minister for Health and the Director-General of NSW Health. The Council meets every second month and membership is made up of clinician and consumer representatives.
The HCAC Newsletter is published quarterly to highlight the achievements of Health Priority Taskforces and provide a communication loop with key audiences.