Programs > Consumer Engagement
The Network has a strong history of consumer engagement. Consumers are involved in the early stages of a program as partners in the development, implementation and evaluation. stages.
For example, the Network has been actively working with consumers, carers and the community through the Mental Health Shared Care Committee for over 10 years. The formation of the Aboriginal Health Coalition in 2008 was preceded by the joint hosting of the Sharing and Learning Circle, attended by more than 60 people from the local Aboriginal community.
Some of our more recent consumer activities are:
The Blue Mountains GP Network Consumer Reference Group
In 2008-2009 the Network convened the Consumer Reference Group (CRG) with representatives from these local chronic disease consumer and community groups:
- Blue Mountain AIRS (support group for people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - COPD),
- Blue Mountains branch of Arthritis NSW,
- Blue Mountains branch of the Australian Diabetes Council,
- Blue Mountains Cancer Help and the
- Nepean/Blue Mountains Cardiac group.
This committee was instrumental in developing the Chronic Disease Self-Management (CDSM) project and securing funding from the Department of Health and Ageing. Since the completion of the CDSM project, the CRG has continued to meet to provide advice to the Network and Board from a consumer perspective, and to seek further funding sources to local support chronic disease self management activities.
The role of the Network’s Consumer Reference Group includes the following (taken from the CRG’s Terms of Reference):
- To act as a consumer advisory body to the Network
- To continue delivering Moving On (self-management programs for people living with chronic disease) in the Blue Mountains
- To provide two-way exchange of primary health issues and information (between the Network and consumer groups) – using a variety of networks
- To maintain and promote the local register of CDSM resources (the “Directory”)
- To promote and oversee the continuation of CDSM supporting activities in the Blue Mountains
- To be a consumer voice on chronic disease for local health issues
- To apply for funding for chronic disease health projects and to work in partnership with organisations within the Blue Mountains to deliver better chronic disease outcomes.
- To develop partnerships and strengthen the network of chronic disease support
- To identify gaps in chronic disease support (e.g. in geographic reach, disease or population group)
Key achievements of the Consumer Reference Group include the following:
- Identifying and obtaining funding, for example the ClubsNSW Community Development and Support Expenditure funding that has allowed further Moving On self-management programs to be run in the Blue Mountains
- Speaking to forums and representing consumers, including presenting at a workshop hosted by the Network in October 2010 for the Western Sydney Severe Chronic Disease Management Program, and to the Network's Key Stakeholder Planning Day in February 2010
- Making submissions to government, for example in response to the Medicare Local Draft Boundaries and the Discussion Paper on Governance and Functions (October 2010).
- Advising on and contributing to other Network projects, including one member participating on the Steering Committee for the Veteran Community Health Project
- Preparing or advising on media advertising and articles to ensure consumer-friendly messages are provided on topical health issues.
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The Blue Mountains Veteran Community Health Project
The Blue Mountains GP Network recently embarked on a process working with the local veteran community to build a cohesive health plan for the local veteran community. The Network consulted with key local veteran organisations and members of these organisations who can represent the veteran community.
Working with these representatives, the Network has conducted a health needs analysis for this community, using a combination of methods including the following:
- Several consultations with the Blue Mountains veteran community,
- Think tanks with community workers and welfare officers,
- Key informant interviews with health care providers and representatives of key veteran support agencies,
- A small survey of veterans and war widows
- A literature review and web review including Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) information.
The outcomes of this consultative process include a comprehensive report, partially funded by the Australia General Practice Network (AGPN) . The Blue Mountains Veteran Community Health Needs Assessment contains a clear set of recommendations that seek to address existing gaps in meeting the health needs of local veterans and their families.
To download a copy of the Blue Mountains Veteran Community Health Needs Assessment report, right click here and select "Save As" or "Save Target As" (large file - 2MB).
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Created: 11 April 2011
Modified: 8 June 2011
