COMMUNICATIONS

Media Release - 09/06/08

Community Participation In Health Services Planning

‘Nothing about us, without us’, is the slogan adopted by The CDHB’s new Health Services Planning (HSP) Consumer Council.

The council of 15 consumers represents family health, mental health, chronic conditions, people with disabilities, older people, rural communities, Maori, Pacific people and Primary Health Organisation consumers.

Consumer Council Chair Keith Gibb said the aim of the new council is to ensure the community and consumers have a strong say in the district’s health service planning and delivery. ‘Nothing about us, without us’ is a well known saying that means people who will be affected by a policy should be fully involved in developing it.

CDHB Chief Executive Gordon Davies said it was important consumers participate at a high level and are close to where the important decision-making occurs.

“Participation in planning health services should be a partnership between the CDHB and consumers at all levels.

We are expecting our new Consumer Council to take an active role in influencing policy to better reflect consumer needs.”

Consumer Council committee members are:

Amelia Dalley: representing family and youth health

Richard Davison: representing Canterbury Primary Health Organisation consumers

Seulata Fui-Moagutuuli: representing the Pacific community

Keith Gibb: representing older people

Jackie Girvan: representing rural health

David Lamb: representing people with chronic conditions

Beth McIlveen Nobes: representing people with mental illness

Elizabeth Miller: has a particular interest in child and family health

Donald Pettitt: key interest in family and men’s health and wellbeing

Robyn Rainey: representing people with learning disabilities

Jill Waldron: representing people with physical disabilities

Gloria Weeks: has a special interest in people with sensory disabilities

Charmaine Wilson: representing Maori

*Two places representing women’s health and alcohol and other drugs on the Council have recently been vacated and the nomination process is under way to appoint two new members.

*Committee members can be contacted by emailing healthservicesplanning@cdhb.govt.nz or on (03) 337 8647.

ENDS