{"id":513,"date":"2017-09-18T04:10:08","date_gmt":"2017-09-18T04:10:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/ciss\/get-involved"},"modified":"2025-12-17T14:36:32","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T04:36:32","slug":"get-involved","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/community\/support-us\/get-involved","title":{"rendered":"Get involved"},"content":{"rendered":"

Get involved<\/h1>\n

Community & Oral Health strongly believes in patients, their carers and staff working together to continuously improve services.<\/p>\n

Partner with us to make a difference<\/h2>\n

We are seeking current or past patients of Queensland Health who are interested in helping design and deliver better community services. You may also be a family member or a carer of a patient who has or is using our health service.<\/p>\n

By applying to be a consumer representative, you can provide advice and participate in improvements and plans for future service development.<\/p>\n

You can play a vital role in healthcare decision-making by sharing your unique experiences and providing a consumer perspective.<\/p>\n

Training<\/h2>\n

We have developed a training program to support new consumer representatives and offer professional development opportunities. More information will be provided on commencement of your role or you can email\u00a0: COH-Engagement@health.qld.gov.au<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Meet some of our Consumer Representative<\/h2><\/h1><\/div>
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\"\"Rosey<\/strong>
\nI am a late-diagnosed Autistic woman with a passion to make a difference. For many years, I worked as an Occupational Therapist in disability, health and education sectors in rural, remote and metropolitan areas across Queensland. When the unexpected happened with my husband\u2019s health, I retired early due to increased carer responsibilities and my own chronic health issues. In the last few years, we experienced more interactions with hospitals, and community services as a health consumer and carer than I ever thought possible. This heightened my awareness of the challenges disabled patients and their carers experience in acute and primary healthcare settings, especially during emergency health crises or dealing with multiple service providers. Being a consumer representative in the Disability Services Action Plan Implementation committees and workgroups, has enabled me to advocate for reasonable adjustments and supports for people with visible and invisible disabilities, whether they are staff members, patients or carers. Involvement in various activities and committee meetings as a consumer, has provided opportunities to contribute ideas, ask questions, give feedback and participate in special projects and research. It\u2019s been great to see Metro North Health start to embrace projects like the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Initiative, Julian\u2019s Keys Health Passports.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\"\"Desley<\/b>
\nAs a registered nurse and nurse academic, I have had a long career in health care delivery in the private and public sectors in Australia and Singapore.\u00a0 I have also been a consumer, mostly in the primary care sector, due to my life-long chronic illnesses. I had also cared for my late husband as he progressed through lung cancer.\u00a0 Then unexpectedly I had surgery, from which I have never fully recovered.\u00a0I was forced to give up my job \u2013 which I loved, so now I was also experiencing unexpected retirement. It was fortuitous that Community and Oral Health, End-of-life advertised for a consumer on their sub-committee as I had experienced both being a carer of my late husband, as well as having undertaken some research into grief, loss and bereavement. I believe the combination of my lived experience, research and career as a registered nurse allows me to have meaningful input.\u00a0I understand the system from both perspectives but most importantly from a consumer\u2019s perspective. As well as that, it is great fun and I really appreciate being able to \u2018give back\u2019 to health service delivery.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Lisa
\n<\/b>I have lived with Diabetes since 1999 during this time I have had a lot of experience with health care and time spent in hospital for a variety of reasons.\u00a0 I have a husband who has Asperges and an elderly mother which I am her sole carer.\u00a0 I want to help make positive changes to the health care system as over the years I have seen many things that need improving.\u00a0 I’ve seen many changes over the years of how care is given, and I want to be a voice for those who are not able to speak up for themselves, to help implement new and innovative ways of providing care for all consumers.\u00a0 There is a need for feedback and for consumers to get onboard with their own health care and the more I can help to promote this, the more consumers will have control over their own care.\u00a0 If I can help others through my own experience, then I have left a positive legacy for change.\u00a0 I enjoy being a part of different committees and the discussions we have and decisions we make.\u00a0 I also want to improve the conditions for the health care professionals who work tirelessly.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\"Aunty<\/p>\n

Aunty Floss
\n<\/b>My name is Aunty Floss and I am a proud Kukuu Yau, Kaanju woman with ties to the Torres Strait, and I have a strong passion for empowering and serving our mob. I am a continuous member of the best Yarning Circle in South-east Queensland and a consumer representative in the COH Health Equity Committee. Being a part of COH\u2018s Yarning Circle has had a massive impact on my life and my health journey. I engage with other respected community indigenous Elders, to listen and learn from our Metro North Health Staff about key health issues, while also advocating, advising, and teaching our future generation about the importance of cultural safety and addressing systemic issues in healthcare to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. It is important for me to attend these forums as I get older, to ensure I am constantly staying up to date with my health, and doing so alongside my mob and community gives me a sense of comfort we are all moving forward \u2013 together. I have been a part of COH\u2019s Yarning Circle since 2021 and will continue to attend and contribute my lived experience in improving healthcare.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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How do I join?<\/h2>\n

Do you use or have an interest in improving our services?<\/p>\n

There are many opportunities for involvement depending on your interest, experience and availability.<\/p>\n

Please email: COH-Engagement
\n@health.qld.gov.au<\/a> or call (07) 3631 7450 to find out more.<\/p>\n

Staff of COH, Metro North Health Service, elected officials (Local, State, Federal) and lobbyists are not eligible to join. These groups can email Metro North Engagement<\/a> for other options to engage with us.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Consumer Expression of Interest Form<\/h2>\n

We are seeking consumers and carers like you to partner with us to improve the treatment and care we provide at Community and Oral Health, Metro North Health.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Register your interest<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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