The northern NSW health service is inviting community members interested in sharing their experiences and helping improve health services to get involved by joining one of the new consultative committees that are being established across the region.
The new groups will provide advice, feedback and guidance to the health service on a range of plans and initiatives.
The Chief Executive of the Northern NSW Local Health District, Wayne Jones, said that with National Volunteer Week underway the health service was renewing its approach to improve the opportunities for community members to get involved.
“You might not have thought of volunteering on a committee, but these groups are such an important part of how we make sure our community is involved in decisions and plans that affect them,” Mr Jones said.
“We are looking for a mix of people to participate in committees and special interest groups. I encourage anyone to consider joining our network to share opinions and contribute to building a better health service and a healthier community,” Mr Jones said.
Community advisory groups are being established in most areas within the NNSWLHD footprint.
Coraki resident, George Thompson, said became a community representative after his wife suffered a stroke and he started caring for her.
“I decided to volunteer as a community representative because of the interest I developed in health matters as a result of my own experiences with health services,” George said.
“I also felt my career experiences in various areas of government would enable me to make a worthwhile contribution.
It’s now been 10 years since George first put up his hand to get involved, and in that time he has been a part of numerous health initiatives in the region, such as the construction of the Coraki Campbell HealthOne, the Health Literacy Project, and the establishment of a working group focusing on reducing opioid pain medications.
“I have found my involvement very rewarding. I have learnt a lot and met some great people,” George said.
“I encourage anyone to get involved and make a difference.”
During National Volunteer Week, from 20-26 May, NNSWLHD is inviting community members interested in sharing their experiences and helping improve health services to get involved by joining one of the new consultative committees that are being established across the region.
For more information and to lodge an online expression of interest, visit the
Northern NSW Local Health District website or the NNSWLHD Facebook page.
Expressions of interest close 5pm, Friday 21 June 2019.
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