Do you want to help shape our health services Waikato?

Andre Chivell from Waikato District Health Board

Waikato DHB is setting up a new Consumer Council and is looking for people in the community who would like to be part of it – and help shape what the DHB does and how it does it.

The Consumer Council will work in partnership with the DHB to provide a consumer perspective and help make sure our services meet the needs of Waikato communities.

The DHB is looking for Expressions of Interest from people who would like to become a member of the Consumer Council. The Consumer Council will be made up of 15 people including a Chair, and provide advice to the Board and senior management on the DHB’s strategic priorities and improving aspects of DHB services.

Mo Neville, Director of Quality & Patient Safety, said: “We’re looking for people who are passionate about making sure everyone in the Waikato has access to excellent health services.

“Ideally we’d like people who live in the Waikato, have had recent experience of health services or are already engaged in a specific area of health interest, good at thinking creatively, and are able to work positively in a group.”

In other DHBs Consumer Councils have helped health services change fundamentally by providing a consumer perspective, coming up with new ideas, and working in partnership with the DHB. They have also specifically:

Had major input into the new build of inpatient facilities
- Helped co-design new home based treatment
- Helped create training material for staff
- Improved signage at a hospital

Ms Neville added: “As a DHB we need to improve the health of everyone but especially Māori, people living in rural communities and people living with disabilities, so we’d particularly like to hear from these people.”

Members will be paid for meeting attendance. They will also be eligible for travel expenses to meetings.

People who are interested should visit: www.waikatodhb.health.nz.... There they will find a Position Description of the role, Terms of Reference for the Consumer Council and a form to complete an Expression of Interest. The information will be in accessible formats.

Or for further information they can contact consumercouncil@waikatodhb.health.nz