Calvary Health Care Bethlehem (CHCB) is committed to obtaining feedback from patients, families, carers, visitors, and members of the community (our consumers) in order to review our ongoing services and to support improvements in processes, patient care and carer support within our organisation. We aim to do this by encouraging ongoing participation and input from consumer representatives who come from our diverse community.
The role of a consumer representative
Consumer representatives have a voice in the decisions being made to improve our service delivery. This can happen in a variety of ways and can involve anything from a regular time commitment to an occasional meeting for a specific purpose.[SK1]
Bethlehem consumer representatives might participate by:
- Being a member of a key governance committee, such as the Executive Quality; Safety and Risk Committee; and Clinical Practice Governance Committee, as well as on key working parties.
- Providing feedback and opinions on Bethlehem projects, for example in a focus group
- Giving input on publications to ensure provision of information is clear, helpful and free of jargon
- Commenting on draft policies or procedures that support our everyday operations
- Participating in surveys or interviews e.g a review of the clinics or pharmacy service
New members are always welcome
Join our Consumer Register
Our Consumer Register is a record of present and past patients, family members and community members who have expressed an interest in engaging with Calvary Health Care Bethlehem on a variety of activities to ensure consumer feedback and opinions are represented within hospital activities and services.
Consumer representatives are always needed for a variety of activities at CHCB and we would like to grow our network!
You can choose how you participate in the Calvary Health Care Bethlehem Consumer Register, based on your interests and the time you have available. The level of commitment varies depending on the role and your availability—participation is flexible and entirely up to you. All involvement is voluntary; you may accept or decline any request from the hospital, and you can ask to be removed from the Consumer Register at any time.
Members may take on a variety of roles, including but not limited to:
- Helping to develop or review patient information materials (such as brochures, leaflets, and fact sheets)
- Taking part in surveys, focus groups, or community consultations
- Sharing personal stories and health care experiences
- Surveying patients and families about their experience with our services
- Joining a hospital working group, reference group, or committee
- Contributing to staff training and education
- Partnering with Calvary Health Care Bethlehem on developing solutions and implementing recommendations for service improvements.
When consumers are actively involved in decisions about their own care and in shaping our services, health outcomes improve and services become more responsive to community needs. Research shows that consumer involvement leads to care that is more accessible, appropriate, and aligned with what people actually want and need.
By partnering with consumers, we can:
- Gain insight into your experiences and expectations
- Understand how well we are meeting your needs and where improvements are needed
- Seek input and advice from people who use, or may use, our services
- Ensure the information provided by our health care professionals is clear, relevant, and useful
- Draw on your expertise to help guide and enhance our services.
Any community member who uses, or may potentially use, services at Calvary Health Care Bethlehem is welcome to apply. This includes:
- Patients
- Carers
- Family members or friends
- Community members living within the local health district.
Eligibility criteria
To join the Calvary Health Care Bethlehem Consumer Register, applicants must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have direct or indirect experience with Calvary Health Care Bethlehem’s services
- Have an interest in contributing to health care improvement
- Be willing to participate constructively to enhance the quality of care we provide
- Be prepared to volunteer their time
- Be willing to sign a confidentiality agreement.
If you'd like to join the Calvary Health Care Bethlehem Consumer Register, you can submit your interest via the application form below or write to us at [email protected].
For more information about the Consumer Register, email our team at [email protected].
Help Shape Care at Calvary Bethlehem
Join our Consumer Register and share your experiences, ideas and feedback to help improve care, services and outcomes for patients and families.
Register your interest to be involved in surveys, consultations, focus groups and other opportunities to have your voice heard.
If you are interested in adding your voice and experience to help us improve the work we do and the care outcomes for our patients, we would love to hear from you.
To register your interest, please fill out the form below.
Partnering with Consumers Advisory Committee (PwCAC)
The Partnering with Consumers Advisory Committee (PwCAC) brings together consumers, carers, community members and staff to provide advice and leadership on consumer partnership across Calvary Health Care Bethlehem (CHCB).
The Committee works to ensure consumer perspectives are embedded in service planning, design, delivery, quality improvement, research, governance and evaluation activities. Through collaboration and co-design, PwCAC helps CHCB understand what matters most to consumers and supports improvements that enhance safety, accessibility, health literacy and patient experience.
Guided by the principles of Personalised and Holistic Care, Working Together, Shared Decision Making, Equity and Inclusion, and Effective Communication, PwCAC provides oversight of CHCB's Consumer Engagement Framework and promotes meaningful opportunities for consumers to contribute to decisions that shape our services.
Our Consumer Partnership Charter
At CHCB, you matter.
We believe healthcare is strongest when consumers, carers, families and staff work together.
We commit to:
- Listening to and valuing diverse voices and lived experiences.
- Working in partnership with consumers to improve care, services and outcomes.
- Supporting shared decision-making and informed choices.
- Providing information that is clear, accessible and meaningful.
- Creating respectful, inclusive and culturally safe environments.
- Demonstrating how consumer feedback and participation influence change.
Together, we will listen. Learn. Partner. Improve.
Your voice helps shape our services.
Community Advisory Council
The Community Advisory Council Group assists the CEO with, and provides advice on, community and stakeholder engagement. Through this group local consumers and communities can help us to make the best decisions when it comes to planning our services.
Representatives are drawn from a broad cross section of the community and meet with Calvary Health Care Bethlehem executives on a regular basis.
Consumer representatives | Calvary representatives |
Kevin Halpin - Chair Phil Lovell, Bruce Forsyth | Shannon Thompson - General Manager, Calvary Health Care Bethlehem Sam Kelly - Media & Communications Manager, Calvary Health Care Bethlehem |