To make the best use of this Guide, health services will need to develop a clear idea of what they wish to achieve by involving consumers in a particular activity. This will assist the consumer organisations to approach the most appropriate consumer to participate. Note that consumers and carers may also be referred to by other names, such as volunteers, advocates, representatives, clients, patients or members.
Information in the Guide
Each entry contains contact details for the organisation, a summary of their aims and activities and information about their membership and or constituency. Some organisations have different levels of membership and not all members are necessarily consumers and carers. Consumer motivation and interest in participating in quality and safety activities is indicated for each organisation, as well as their requirements regarding project proposals for their involvement.
Over a third of the organisations expressed an interest in, or had already been involved in a large number of the consumer participation activities either with health services or within their own organisation. Other organisations indicated that they have limited resources or abilities to respond to requests.
