Consumer Participation in the Division
Our Division works with consumers at
three levels:
Operational level input from consumers
via individual program reference groups
For
some time, our Division has benefited from
consumer representation on appropriate
program reference groups. These
representatives provide consumer
participation in the planning and
implementation of specific programs and
activities.
Independent Director on the Division's
Board of Directors
One of two Independent Directors on the
Division's Board is identified through the
Health Consumer Network. This position
provides a non-GP perspective to the
governance of the Division. The Independent
Directors on the Board have the same rights,
responsibilities and remuneration as the GP
Directors, and actively participate in Board
meetings, training and all other activities
undertaken by the Board.
Helen Hutchinson was first
appointed to this position in 2002.
Strategic input from consumers via the
Division's Health Consumer Network
The
Division's Health Consumer Network was
formed in August 2001, with the aims of:
-
Improving communication between consumers
and the Division
-
Broadening the understanding of general
practitioners of the health care needs of
patients
-
Providing a mechanism for nomination of
consumer representatives to Division program
reference groups and working groups of the
Division as appropriate
-
Providing a mechanism for nomination of a
consumer representative to the Division's
Board
The Network allows for a broad base of
consumer participation and information flow
between the Division, consumer organisations
and individual consumers. Via regular
newsletters, the Division informs Network
members of the latest developments within
the Division and general practice, as well
as seeking consumer opinion on key topics.
Members of the Network are also invited to
come together twice annually for Consumer
Network Forums, which enable the Division to
obtain focussed consumer contribution to
strategic planning processes.
Membership of the Division's Health
Consumer Network is open to organisations
that represent the interests and concerns of
health consumers in southern Tasmania. There
are currently 81 members of the Network,
consisting of 75 organisations, and 6 individual members.
A number of Consumer Forums have been
held, which were all very positive times. In
the early stages of the Network's
development, an emphasis was placed on
educating Network members about the
Division's role and scope within general
practice. Since then, Forums have served a
number of purposes, including:
-
Obtaining consumer input to the
Division's strategic planning processes. The
document "Hallmarks of Quality"
was developed at a Network Forum, and
contributed to the division's planning for
the 2003-4 Business Plan.
-
Development of resources such as:
"Getting your message across",
about getting the most out of consumer
representative opportunities, which was
shared with all Network members.
-
Guest speakers on topics of interest to
consumer members. These have included Marg
Brown (Chair, Health Consumers of Rural
& Remote Australia) who shared ideas for
how consumer representatives can maximise
their impact; an information session on
health complaints presented by the Health
Complaints Commissioner of Tasmania and
Chair of the Medical Council of Tasmania and
a session on suicide prevalence and
prevention by Wendy Quinn from the
Department of Health and Human Services.
Our Division was a finalist in the
Consumer Engagement category of the
Australian Divisions of General Practice
Divisions Achievement Awards in 2003.
The Division presented a paper titled
"Towards Meaningful Consumer
Participation in Divisions- a Continuing
Journey" at the 2004 National Divisions
Forum in Adelaide. The paper was presented
by Carolyn Field (Program Officer), and
co-authored by Carolyn and Helen Hutchinson
(Independent Director, and Consumer Network
member). The PowerPoint presentation from
this paper is available in the Downloads
section of this web page.
For more information about consumer
participation in the Division, or if you are
interested in joining the Health Consumer
Network, please contact
on 6234 4230.
Getting the most from your visit to
the doctor
During the second half of 2005, the
Division’s Health Consumer Network
produced an information brochure for
consumers, with helpful hints and advice for
making the most of a visit to the GP. Copies
of the brochure have been distributed to
general practices in southern Tasmania for
display in waiting rooms, and also to
consumer groups.
A copy of the brochure in PDF format can
be downloaded from here.
Downloads
Other Resources
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