Consumer Advisors

Barwon Health supports people’s right to participate individually and collectively in the planning and implementation of their health care. Partnering with consumers is an important strategy to improve patient care, as consumers have first-hand experience of health services. Barwon Health does this by partnering with Consumer Advisors.

A Consumer Advisor is a person who voices lived experience perspectives and takes part in decision-making as a representative of the community.

Ideally Consumer Advisors are well connected in their community and are able to access the perspectives of many.

They are actively involved in the development, planning and quality improvement of services, and the measure and improvement of patient and family experience. Opportunities range from sitting on Board and National Standards committees, to varying levels of participation on specific project steering committees and working groups.

Consumer Advisors are part of the community and reflect the diversity of the community.

It is a priority for Barwon Health to attract, recruit and support Consumer Advisors from:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
People who have a disability, or people who care for someone with a disability
People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
People from LGBTIQA+ communities
People who have experienced a mental health illness, or care for someone with mental health illness.

Current opportunities for Consumer Advisors

Community Advisory Committee

A number of positions are available. Please click here to learn about the committee and its members.

National Standards Committees

Partnering with Consumers Committee
Infection Prevention Committee
Medication Safety Committee
Comprehensive Care Committee
Blood Management Committee
Acute Deterioration Committee

Written Information Simply Explained (WISE)

WISE is a group of Consumer Advisors who review documents that are being developed by staff for patients and their families. WISE meets fortnightly on Tuesdays from 10.00am - 12pm. There is also an option to be emailed the documents to review in your own time, working to a fortnightly deadline.

Interested?

Please express your interest in an opportunity by sending your answers to the following questions:

Why would you like to partner with Barwon Health as a Consumer Advisor?
If you are comfortable doing so, please share how you could represent the diversity of the community.
What lived experiences do you bring to the partnership? For example, are you a parent raising young children, or caring for an ageing parent making end-of-life decisions.
What services have you, or some you care for, accessed at Barwon Health?
Is there a specific area of interest you have? For example, is there a specific committee or project you would like to be involved in?

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Post: Consumer Experience Partner
C/O Safety, Quality & Improvement Department
Barwon Health
PO Box 281
Geelong VICTORIA 3220

For further information, contact the Consumer Experience Partner by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone (03) 4215 0477.

Barwon Health is committed to health screening and immunisation to protect its staff, consumer advisors, volunteers and patients against preventable diseases.

Training

Community Advisory Committee (CAC)

The Community Advisory Committee is a sub-committee of the Barwon Health Board. This group advises the Board on issues relevant to the consumers of our community. To learn more please visit the Community Advisory Committee webpage.

Last Modified: Monday, 27 March 2023

Contact

Consumer Experience Partner
Ph (03) 4215 0477
[email protected]

Useful Links

National Safety and Quality Health Service Standard – Partnering with Consumers

Safer Care Victoria’s framework for partnering with consumers

Careers, Volunteers & Consumer Advisors