About consumer representatives
A consumer representative is someone who helps us by sharing their views as a patient, carer, or community member. They are people who:
- use our health services or might need to in the future
- share their experiences as patients and carers
- volunteers to give their time and knowledge to help us.
Their input makes sure our services and programs meet the needs of our communities. We have several committees with both clinical and community members.
How we partner with our community
We're committed to ensuring genuine patient and community partnership in healthcare decisions, in planning our services, designing care and monitoring and evaluating our services. We value the contributions patients, their carers and families, and our communities make in improving the quality and safety of our services.
Putting our patients at the centre of what we do, delivering safe and quality care, doing it consistently and with respect is what we strive for at Hunter New England LHD. Increasingly we are working with our patients, their carers and families, and with our communities to help achieve this.
Our framework
Our plan for partnering with consumers shows how we work with patients, their families, and our community.
The plan helps everyone understand the importance of working together. It also guides our staff on how to work well with patients and community members.
Download our HNE LHD Consumer Engagement Strategy and Framework (PDF 2.79MB).
Our Local Health Committees
Local Health Committees (LHC) lead our community to make sure health services meet local needs and improve community health. Most hospitals and health services in the Hunter New England LHD have a LHC.
The LHC works with the local Health Service Manager and key community partners to represent the community on health matters.
For more information about joining your local committee, please contact the facility directly.
For more information about the LHC roles and functions, download the Hunter New England LHD Health Committees Terms of Reference. (PDF 570.59KB)
Community Partnership Forums
Forums are held annually with our Local Health Committees, Health Service Managers, members of the Executive Leadership Team, and key partners including the local Primary Health Network.
The aim of these forums is to explore ways to improve engagement at a local community level.
The forums have a strong focus on:
- national and state health reform
- building better working relationships between local health committees and health services
- developing new tools and resources to support local health committees
- partnering with Hunter New England LHD on key health initiatives.
Contact Hunter New England LHD
We welcome your questions, feedback, compliments, and information requests. Contact us, and we'll be happy to assist you. Your input is important to us.