Consumer participation

Christine is a retired Launceston General Hospital (LGH) Pathology laboratory scientist. Christine lives in Perth.

Patient contact here, interstate and overseas gave her an interest in the consumer perspective, and she is pleased to see the shift from medico-centred to patient-centred care.

After retirement Christine became a carer to several family members, which increased her interest in the needs of those with disabilities. She applied to join the Consumer and Community Engagement Council (CCEC) as a way to use her life experiences to contribute to the community and has found her involvement to be both useful and fulfilling. Her other “jobs" include being a long-time volunteer with Meals on Wheels and more recently Volunteer Coordinator in Perth, and Honorary Secretary of the Royal Society of Tasmania, Northern Branch.  Christine is also a member of Launceston School for Seniors, through this Christine has met a wide range of people in an age group likely to need health services.

Robin lives in Norwood, is a member of the Franklin House Committee, Tasmanian Heritage Council, Launceston college committee and Tram Society Committee as well as being a former member of the Legislative Council. He is a sports lover (and participant!), past chairman (and a member for 12 years) of the York Park Inveresk Precinct that includes UTAS Stadium and has been involved in many community organisations.

Robin is passionate about representing consumers. Robin compares consumer feedback to his own businesses and the importance of trusting relationships to ensure reputation, service and care is maintained.

Peter lives in Launceston. Peter is a retired senior manager within the State Service with 42 years’ service and on retirement was with the Department of Treasury and Finance, Liquor and Gaming Branch – as Secretary to the Licensing Board and Manager Communications and Education.

Some of Peters close friends and family members have experienced often lengthy episodes of care within acute care services across Tasmanian Health Service - North. Peter is experienced in providing consumer feedback and remains committed to the principles of consumers being involved in planning and design of health care.

Peter is the current Chair of the Consumer and Community Engagement Council.

Tony lives in Legana. Tony has an engineering background with many years as a business consultant.

Currently, Tony is on the board of the Northern Tasmania Cricket Association as well as being a member of two choirs in Launceston, this helps Tony to give a voice to the wider community views. Tony has lived and volunteered in the Northeast of Tasmania bringing the experience of living in a rural setting from a community and personal viewpoint.

Tony has had direct experience with the hospital system as a patient having major surgery and being a patient in a cardiac ward at LGH.

Michelle lives in Evandale, having moved to Tasmania from Melbourne in 2012. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Environment) and a Master of Public Policy and Management.

Michelle has worked for the public sector in both Victoria and Tasmania. Through this, Michelle has gained extensive experience in working with community members when planning projects and writing policies. Michelle is passionate about the importance of using plain language to help people understand their health issues.

Michelle has had two children, both born at the Launceston General Hospital (LGH). Michelle’s interest in the Consumer Community Engagement Council (CCEC) has been influenced by her experiences as a patient of the LGH antenatal clinic, maternity unit and emergency department. Michelle also brings to the CCEC her experiences as a carer of young children who have used services within the Tasmanian Health Service.

Paul grew up in rural Tasmania before joining the Army at 16, including graduating from the Royal Military College, Duntroon. He has recently returned to Tasmania and now lives between Launceston and Levendale where he has taken over the family farm.

Paul spent twenty years in the Army working in electronics and on helicopters; he has also worked for Sikorsky Aircraft as well as pastored churches in Queensland. Paul has studied extensively and holds an MBA (Technology Management), MDiv, Grad Dip Christian Ministry, and BEng (Aerospace).

A greater understanding of different people groups and cultures is something Paul is passionate about, especially as he continues to discover his family origins as an indigenous Tasmanian.  He is deeply interested in seeing better outcomes for all people, and the state in all areas of life.

Health is one area where he has had experience, both as a consumer and a carer; as well as a Board member with the Wide Bay Health and Hospital Service in Queensland.

Amir lives in Prospect Vale. Amir moved from Iran to Tasmania in 2010. Amir has studied medical laboratory science and is currently working with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania.

Amir is passionate about helping the migrant community to settle into the culture of living in Launceston. Amir does this through interpreting in medical, educational and vocational training, as well as helping the Afghan Hazara community in various matters such as driving lessons, arranging funeral according to the faith, getting into work and finding jobs.

Amir loves to have contribution to the Council to have the migrant’s community voices heard by the Health Services with a determination to improve the quality of our health system.

Sue grew up on the northwest coast. Her father was an anaesthetist and her mother a nurse. She now lives in rural northern Tasmania, at Clarence Point.

Sue is retired after a long career in Tasmania and Victoria, primarily in managing information technology teams within Federal Government departments. She also has experience in governance.

Since retiring, Sue has been deeply involved in a range of community organisations. She is a member of the Beaconsfield Community Health and Wellbeing Association, including the local hospital, and the Beauty Point Hospital Auxiliary. She is a board member of Beaconsfield Park Homes Inc, a social housing retirement village.

Sue is particularly interested in how community involvement can improve health promotion and access to health services.

Christine lives in Branxholm where she co-manages the family tourism business and small alpaca farm.

Christine is a retired research scientist --most recently with joint appointments between Department of Defence and University of Tasmania, and previously at Royal Brisbane Hospital Chemical Pathology. Her formal qualifications were in the fields of biochemistry, nutrition, dietetics and education.

Christine believes that nutrition is essential for optimal health in all care settings and she is committed to promoting public health nutrition as a key to preventive healthcare.

Christine also believes that consumers' input enables continuous improvement in delivery of health services.