Consumer Participation

South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health believes that consumers and carers can play a vital role in improving health services because they know what it feels like to be a patient or client or to look after someone who has received care.

In 2007, our hospitals and community health services established consumer advisory committees to provide a voice to the communities that we serve.

Nine consumer advisory committees have been established, and include:

• Garrawarra Centre
• Prince of Wales, Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospitals
• Royal Hospital for Women
• Shellharbour and Kiama Hospitals
• Shoalhaven, David Berry and Milton/Ulladulla Hospitals
• St George Hospital
• Sutherland Hospital
• Sydney Children’s Hospital Parent and Consumer Council
• Wollongong, Coledale, Bulli and Port Kembla Hospitals

In addition Mental Health Consumer Advisory Committees, which focus specifically on mental health issues, are in place in the Mental Health Services throughout the Area.

A senior management representative attends each meeting to ensure a quick response to issues raised.

These consumer committees are not an avenue for complaints - the Area Health Service has an effective system in place to deal with complaints - but they do provide an avenue for management and staff to obtain advice from consumers and carers, and for the community to raise issues, make suggestions and to help us to look outside the 'health box'.

This year, our Area Health Advisory Council and the Consumer Participation Unit will be looking to establish other systems for engaging our communities.

View Area Health Advisory Council page