Community Participation

Community Participation, more commonly referred to as Consumer Participation, is the idea that involving patients and the community in health service planning, delivery, monitoring and evaluation is likely to result in more accessible and appropriate services.

The Community Participation Plan sets out how the Eye & Ear Hospital is tackling consumer participation, with the help of the Community Advisory Committee. For more information about any of the topics mentioned, please contact the Community Development Officer 9929 8598

What is consumer participation?

Most simply it is the idea of having a voice. It is the idea of people who use a service having influence over the planning, reviewing or designing of services.

Who are consumers?

Patients; former patients; potential patients and their families or carers. Sometimes referred to collectively as communities.

What are the benefits of consumer participation?

• Improvement in quality of care by identifying and responding to patients needs
• More accessible and appropriate services
• Systems which suit both staff and patients
• Increased patient satisfaction.