Consumer Engagement at Peninsula Health
Peninsula Health is committed to working in partnership with consumers (patients, carers, families and the community). Consumers are people who currently access our services or who may need to in the future.
Consumer Advisors share their experiences as users of the health service, provide advice on consumer and carer issues and become active partners in design, planning and evaluation of the health service.
Having consumers involved with us and bringing the perspective of the community into Peninsula Health ensures we provide health services that meets the needs of the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula community.
Consumer Advisors who have experience of:
- • A current or previous health condition
- • Accessing care from a health service
- • A carer, family member or friend of someone who accesses health services
- • Participating in a research project such as a clinical trial
Ways in which Consumer Advisors partner with us include:
- • Provide advice on what patients, families and carers may expect
- • Provide patient, family and carer views at all levels of our health service
- • Identify and raise concerns and issues
- • Provide us with insight into the experience that patients, families and carers have with us
- • Provide feedback on written information developed for consumers
- • Contribute to service planning
- • Contribute to design of a research project
- • Special projects, e.g. Frankston Hospital Redevelopment
….And many more
Why be involved?
Being a Consumer Advisor can give you the opportunity to contribute to improving health outcomes for your community.
Consumer Advisor find their participation rewarding and enjoyable, especially the opportunity to meet new people and to share their own experience.
How you can be involved
Community Advisory Groups
Peninsula Health has a number of Community Advisory Groups (CAGs) that bring the consumer and community perspective, experiences and concerns into Peninsula Health.
Each CAG has been established in response to the needs of our community.
Membership of the groups includes consumers, carers and key Peninsula Health staff. Some groups have representatives from other service providers.
The CAGs enable two-way communication between Peninsula Health and the broader community. As a Consumer Advisor you will provide advice on specific matters of consumer, carer and community interest or concern. You will also help to inform the community about what is happening at Peninsula Health.
Each CAG provides opportunity for information sharing, robust discussion and learning. The CAGs report to the Peninsula Health Community Advisory Committee.
Our current Community Advisory Groups:
- • Alcohol and Other Drugs CAG
- • Community Health CAG
- • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity CAG
- • Disability CAG
- • Frankston/Northern Peninsula CAG
- • Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex & Queer+ CAG
- • Mental Health CAG
- • Mount Eliza Personal Alarm Call Service (MEPACS) CAG
- • Older persons / Carers CAG
- • Southern CAG
- • Westernport CAG
- • Renal CAG
Other Committees and Working Group
Consumer Advisors partner with us on a number of Peninsula Health Committees, including Quality and Safety Committees. We also have a number of short-term Working Groups. You will bring the consumer perspective, experiences and concerns into issues discussed. We are currently seeking consumers to join a number of committees.
We are currently seeking consumers to join a number of committees/groups including:
- • Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Committee – meets monthly (currently online)
Committee purpose: To ensure that systems are in place so a person’s acute deterioration is recognised promptly and appropriate actions are taken. Acute deterioration includes physiological changes, as well as acute changes in mental state.
- • Blood Management Committee – meets every 3 months (currently online)
Committee purpose: To identify risk, and put in place strategies, to ensure that a patient’s own blood is optimised and conserved, and that any blood and blood products a patient receives are appropriate and safe. To provide a systematic and consistent approach for the safe and appropriate transfusion of blood products across all sites of Peninsula Health.
- • Communicating for Safety Committee – meets every 2 months (currently online)
Committee purpose: To ensure that communication and documentation is timely, purpose- driven and effective and that it supports care for our patients that is coordinated, safe and continuous.
- • Infection Prevention Committee – meets every 2 months (currently online)
Committee purpose: To develop processes, systems and guidelines that prevent manage and control the risk of healthcare-associated infections and effectively manage infections, if they occur, for consumers and healthcare workers.
- • Comprehensive Care Committee – meets monthly (currently online)
Committee purpose: To ensure that consumers receive comprehensive care – that is, coordinated delivery of multidisciplinary health care required or requested by the consumer and their support people. This care is aligned with the consumer’s identified personal need and preferences and healthcare needs, considers the effect of the consumer’s health issues on their life and wellbeing, and is clinically appropriate.
- • Skin Integrity Sub Committee – meets monthly (currently online)
Committee purpose: To provide governance and monitoring around preventing and managing pressure injuries)monitoring
- • Peninsula At Home Advisory Group – meeting frequency to be confirmed
A new working group that will provide feedback and input into Peninsula Health home-based services. Peninsula At Home is a strategy that provides greater choice to consumers by offering them options to receive their care at home rather than in a hospital bed. Peninsula At Home now offers a suite of services that can provide this care to patients.
- • The National Clinical Trials Governance Framework Partnering with Consumer Working Group – meeting frequency to be confirmed
Working Group purpose: To implement systems and processes that support partnering with consumers in clinical trials.
Specific Wards
A Consumer Advisor role has been introduced to our wards at Peninsula Health to enhance the patient experience. Whilst on the ward the Consumer Advisor may:
- • Assist patients to provide feedback on their experience collecting surveys electronically at the bedside
- • Raise awareness and encourage patients, their families or carers to ‘speak up’ and ask questions about their care
- • Review consumer survey experience reports and assists staff in identifying opportunities for improvement
- • Participate in observational audits
- • Be a friendly face, offer opportunity for light/social conversations with patients, families and carers
….And many more
As a Consumer Advisor we ask that you:
- • Complete an application form and provide the names of 2 referees
- • Attend an interview
- • Undergo a National Police Check through Peninsula Health (no cost to you).
- • Be able to show proof of up-to-date COVID 19 (includes booster) and Influenza Vaccinations
- • Sign and agree to our conditions of the role adhering to privacy, confidentiality, code of conduct and working towards our vision, purpose and values
- • Complete relevant orientation and training
- • Keep us updated with any changes in availability or contact details
Participation is voluntary and you can choose to exit the program at any time.
If you are interested in joining us as a Consumer Advisor please complete the application form.
If you would like more information or a paper copy of the application form, please contact Michelle Daniel, Consumer Engagement Manager on 9784 2665 or email consumerengagement@phcn.vic.gov.au