Consumer Advisory Committees

The following consumer advisory committees (CAC) are in place throughout South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health:

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

Consumer representatives on these committees represent a variety of communities and points of view.

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.

CAC Structure

The consumer advisory committees (CACs) focus on issues that are specific to the associated facility / group of facilities, including acute (hospital) and community health services and the local communities.

Role of the CAC

Consumer Advisory Committees:

• Advocate a consumer perspective to the health service management on behalf of the local communities it serves
• Are task focused and address issues that are specific to the hospital and community health service or the group of hospitals to which it belongs
• Have in attendance at meetings a senior management representative to ensure a swift response to issues and initiatives raised.

Objectives

Consumer Advisory Committees:

• Provide a community voice in determining needs, concerns and priorities in the areas such as health policy, service provision, service delivery and accessibility
• Provide a mechanism for consumers, carers and members of the community to be able to raise health issues
• Provide a focus for all consumer issues that need addressing, and work with management to seek resolution of these issues
• Become informed about health issues and health services and to inform the community
• Ensure that the health concerns of the wider community are represented, including men, women, young, old, Aboriginal, multicultural, carers, parents and those living with an illness or disability.

Functions

Key functions of the Consumer Advisory Committees include:

• Facilitating communication between consumers, carers and community groups and the Health Service
• Considering all issues raised by all members of the committee
• Monitoring the development and provision of information needed for the Health Service to adequately inform the community about the services it provides
• Participating in the health service planning processes
• Developing an annual strategic plan for consumer and community participation, including carer issues
• Working constructively with other CACs throughout the Area, the Area Health Advisory Council and with the management and staff of the Area Health Service.

Membership

Members are not employed by the Health Service, nor have a conflict of interest, and come from the Area’s catchment area, namely Botany, Hurstville, Kogarah, Randwick, Rockdale, City of Sydney (part), Sutherland, Waverley and Woollahra, Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven local government areas.

They are appointed to the CAC as a volunteer of the Area Health Service, for three years with the option to renew, and have a willingness to:

• Working constructively with the other committee members and health staff/management
• Be aware of the needs of groups of consumers and carers and not just an individual, represent other views objectivity and communicate on behalf of consumers or carers
• Provide feedback to consumers and other consumer advisory committees.