We are compiling evidence about how having an independent consumer peak is important.
Below is a summary of what we do at HCA:
• We recruit, train and support consumers so they can represent their communities’ views. • We work with patient organisations to make sure when things go wrong, the system responds. • We train and support health professionals to work with consumer representatives, so health services operate in the best interests of the community. • We work with health services to help them genuinely engage consumers and the community and not just ‘tick a box’ for community consultation. eg WCHN. • We work with research institutes to ensure the consumer voice is included in the design, implementation of research and the translation of evidence and research findings into practice. • We work with the health system to solve entrenched problems and prevent problems from occurring. • We are an informed and trusted consumer voice in the health system, working with and for all South Australian consumers both at a state and national level.
