New community voice to improve health services

New community voice to improve health services

Capital & Coast DHB (CCDHB) is calling for applications for a new 10-member council to give people who use its health services an active role in their development.

VOICE for Consumers will meet every two months to work with CCDHB as a ‘consumer council’ for the planning and delivery of health services in hospital and the community.

VOICE stands for the council’s objectives, which are to ensure;
· Visibility – Ensure appropriate consumer participation across CCDHB

· Ownership – Work collaboratively with community and hospital based services to identify issues requiring consumer participation

· Involvement – Provide a consumer perspective on the development of CCDHB health service priorities and provide advice on appropriate issues

· Communication – Provide a means for effective communication with community and consumer groups

· Engagement – Through networking create an environment for community and hospital engagement focused on the best interests of the population as a whole

Interim chief executive Debbie Chin says the council’s aim will be to improve the quality, safety, and experience of care provided by CCDHB.

“We want to know how we can improve the health services – and to do this we need to get the people who use them around the table with us.”

“We provide health services to nearly 900,000 people between the North and South islands. A diverse range of members represented on the council will ensure that health services provided by CCDHB meet the needs of our communities,” Mrs Chin says.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the consumer council visit www.ccdhb.org.nz for the council’s terms of reference and to complete an online application form. Applications close Sunday 26 April 2015.

ends

© Scoop Media