The first District-wide consumer event for 2024 was held at Concord Hospital. 

Consumer representatives from across Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) came together at Concord Hospital’s Medical Education Centre in April for the first District-wide consumer event for the year. 

Co-designed with consumers, the event was an opportunity for representatives to learn more about services and programs across the District.  

Retired public servant Jenny Brigg has been a Balmain Hospital Consumer representative and member of the Consumer and Community Advisory Committee. She found the meeting inspiring. 

“We are partnering and supporting consumers and clinicians in shaping and conducting research. It shows a real maturing of our relationship together,” she said. 

The meeting showcased patient-centred initiatives from the Public Health team, the Carers Program, and “Anticipate” – a clinical design project run by RPA Hospital Women and Babies team aimed to expand the support provided to expecting parents in the earlier stages of pregnancy. 

“Consumers' representatives said they wanted to learn more about the different areas of the District, the challenges the district faces and the communities we work with,” said Matt Halpin, District Director Consumer and Community Participation. 

“For effective partnerships with consumers, we need  to bring people in at the start, equip them with the information to understand the services we provide and continue to look for opportunities to collaborate throughout.”’