Health consumers are the people who use health services, along with their family and carers — including anyone who has used a service in the past, or who might use one in the future.
A health consumer representative is a consumer member of a committee, project or event. They voice consumer perspectives and take part in decision making on behalf of health consumers.
A representative may act as an individual, or may be nominated by and accountable to a consumer organisation.
The role usually sits alongside a health service or a consumer organisation, and it is often voluntary. Reimbursement of costs may be available.
The consumer perspective brings an important balance to the views of doctors and other health professionals — on how services are accessed, how they are received, and how outcomes can be improved for everyone.
“Waitakere Health Link assisted Auckland Regional Dental Service in getting consumer representatives onto the Clinical Governance Committee. This has strengthened the committee and achieved a service strategy of increasing consumer voice.”
GM, Child, Women and Family Services, Waitematā DHB
“The Quality Use of Medicines Steering Group has been fortunate to have a consumer representative for almost 10 years. This role is essential — our aim is to improve the health of our population, and we cannot do that based on assumptions. We need a consumer present to guide us right from the start.”
Pharmacist and Project Manager, Quality Use of Medicines, Waitematā DHB
“In my role on the Consumer Advisory Committee to Pharmac, Waitakere Health Link provides a platform to receive feedback on community issues, perceptions and understanding of what Pharmac is. That has helped me advise Pharmac on improving its engagement with communities and consumers.”
David Lui
“As a Pacific consumer representative to Auckland Regional Dental Service, Waitakere Health Link has helped prepare me to give valuable feedback on community issues and views — on what oral health means from a Pacific perspective. That will improve service delivery and engagement with communities and consumers, for better oral health outcomes.”
Victoria Rasmussen
If you have used health services in West Auckland and you want a say in how they are planned, we would like to hear from you.
Contact us