10 November 2004

Minister encourages community involvement in new Area Health Advisory Council

NSW Health Minister Morris Iemma is encouraging community members and the medical workforce to apply for Area Health Advisory Council membership and have a say in the running of their local health service.

“The NSW Government is establishing the new Area Health Advisory Councils (AHACs) for each of the eight new Area Health Services to give health professionals, health consumers and local communities a stronger voice in health decision-making,” Mr Iemma said.

“This is a great opportunity for members of the community and clinicians, including doctors, nurses and allied health professionals, to have a greater say in the planning and delivery of health services at both a state and local level.

“I encourage all those seeking to take part in the development of Area Health Service policies, plans and initiatives to apply,” Mr Iemma said.

The new Area Health Advisory Councils provide an important opportunity for clinicians and community members to work in partnership to represent all health stakeholders. These representatives will then directly advise the Chief Executive of each Area Health Service.

In addition to the Area Health Advisory Councils for the eight Area Health Services arrangements will also be made to provide for clinician and community input into the work of the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

“The amalgamation of the 17 Area Health Services into eight larger areas will reduce administrative duplication and direct more resources to frontline clinical care,” Mr Iemma said.

Applications for Area Health Service Advisory Council membership can be made online or downloaded at the NSW Health website at the link below.

In addition advertisements are currently running in metropolitan, regional and rural newspapers across NSW.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au