Interested in being a part of our consumer network?


We have a mission to work with the people of our community to promote, encourage and enable their health, well-being and independence. To achieve this, we recognise that individuals, families, whānau and communities need a voice in the system. We know that engaging with you as our health consumers provides many benefits for not only our community but healthcare workers and providers.

We would like you to be a part of this.

If you are interested in helping us grow our consumer network, please register using the link below.

Click here to fill out an expression of interest form

Current Consumer Opportunities

 

 

 

 

Free Community & Wellbeing Workshops - February & March 2024

Nelson Bays Primary Health are providing free community wellbeing workshops around the region and have the following sessions coming up: 

Murchison

Date: Thursday 29 February 2024
Time: 10.00am - 3.00pm
Location: Murchison Sport, Recreation and Cultural Centre

Richmond

Date: Wednesday 6 March 2024, and Wednesday 13 March 2024
Time: 5.30pm - 8.00pm 
Location: Nelson Bays Primary Health, 281 Queen Street, Richmond
(please attend both sessions)

Motueka

Date: Friday 15 March 2024
Time: 10.00am - 3.00pm
Location: Motueka Community House, 9 Greenwood Street, Motueka

Nelson

Date: Monday 25 March 2024
Time: 10.00am - 3.00pm
Location: Braemer Campus, Waimea Road (Seminar Room 1)

View the flyer here. 


Share You Pregnancy

Share your pregnancy and birth with an Ara midwifery student.

Every pregnant woman has her own unique experience of pregnancy, labour, birth and parenting. Sharing this time with a student midwife provides a valuable opportunity for the student to appreciate the individuality of each woman and her family/ whānau.

For more details, click here. 

Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission – Health care conversations survey

Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission is looking for consumers to participate in a quick online survey. Help us create better conversations in hospital by taking a five-minute survey.

Your responses will help us create a tool to help people get the information they need to make well-informed choices during their stay. This tool will be developed to improve the way health care teams talk about resuscitation options in hospitals. Resuscitation includes a range of treatments to try and keep you alive. Depending on your health condition, they may not always work and are not always appropriate.

You can participate in the Tō Tātou Reo Advance Care Planning survey here.

If the link above does not work, please copy and paste this URL into your web browser: https://forms.office.com/r/dyQFq5nZP6

If you have any questions about this survey, contact us at [email protected].

If you would like to know more about the work undertaken by the Tō Tātou Reo Advance Care Planning and Clinical Communications Programme head to myacp.org.nz.

 


 

Nelson Marlborough Community Health
Lecture 2024: 

Feel good and function well:
Understanding our mental wellbeing and how to care for ourselves

The eighth in a series of lectures supported by the Care Foundation.


Date: Monday 11 March 2024

Time: 12.00pm for a 12.30pm start - 1.30pm

Venue: Suter Theatre, 208 Bridge Street, Nelson

Alternatively, join us via Zoom (see details in the below link)

Click here to learn more and register

Te Whatu Ora Stakeholder Hui

We hold regular virtual hui for our sector and service provider stakeholders. Watch this space for our next Stakeholder hui. 

Surveys Open to Give Feedback

Marama3Mārama Survey:

 

Give feedback on Mental Health
& Addictions services

Mārama is a Nationwide online survey that allows consumers and whānau to give anonymous feedback on our Mental Health & Addictions services

 

Click here to learn more and complete the survey(s)


Flourishing Together:

 

Including tāngata whaikaha Māori and disabled people in policy development

The Flourishing Together team invite you to complete their accessible interactive survey online. They are evaluating what makes it easier or harder for disabled people to find a home that works well for them and their families. Other terms for ‘disabled people’ that you may be more familiar or comfortable with include ‘person living with a disability’, ‘tāngata whaikaha Māori’ and ‘whānau hauā’. You can take part if you have experienced disability since birth or due to illness or injury later in life. 

Click here to take the survey if you:

  • self-identify as a disabled person
  • are family or whānau of a disabled person
  • are at least 16 years old
  • live in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our Consumer Council


The Consumer Council provide a strong voice and allows the community to participate in key decision-making on health service and delivery. The Consumer Council’s aim is to enhance consumer experience and service integration across the sector, promote equity and ensure services are organised and provided to meet the needs of all consumers now and in the future.

Our goal is to build on our current feedback mechanisms and move on from listening to the voices of patients, carers and the public (our consumers) to partnership, collaboration and responsiveness with them. Success will be for every part of our health system to be shaped and improved by involving those who use and care about our services.

The next step in our journey towards collaboration and partnership is to provide the public with a stronger voice in key decision-making.

We established our Consumer Council in 2015, the council now consists of nine people across the Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough regions. We created the opportunity and selected people who are experts by experience with diverse backgrounds, contacts, knowledge, skills, geography and broad demographic groups to provide the Board and management with a wide-ranging consumer view.

 

Click here to view the Consumer Council's Terms of Reference, Chair's Reports and Annual Reports

Consumer Council Bios Angelea

Angelea Stanton - Chair

I am a qualified Diversional Therapist born and bred in Marlborough. I have worked in aged care for most of my career and currently am the Quality Manager of Ashwood Park, an aged residential home in Blenheim. I have recently completed a qualification in Business Leadership and Management. My husband and I own a mechanical workshop in Blenheim, and we have two daughters aged 21 and 16 to keep life busy.

I have a broad interest in health, particularly older person’s health, women’s health, and long-term conditions. I joined the Consumer Council in 2017 as one of two Marlborough representatives taking on the Chair position in 2021. The Council has moved through its development phase and is now pushing forward to voice and canvas the opinions and needs of our communities. The Council membership has been extended this year and now has excellent representation across our diverse Nelson Marlborough community. I am involved with the National Chairs Group for Te Whatu Ora which allows me to have a voice for our region at this level. I am proud to be part of the drive to empower Consumers and have been pleased to see the real desire from the system to engage, listen and develop with the Consumer voice at the centre.

Consumer Council Bios Alene

Alene Sherson 

Tēnā koutou, ko Alene tōku ingoa. Ko Kāi Tahu ko Pākehā ahau, nō Tāmaki Makaurau me Taitoko i tīpu ake ahau, ināianei e noho ana māua ko tāku tāne ki Mōhua.

This is my second term on the Health Consumer Council as a representative for Golden Bay. It is an interesting time to be in this role, and I am pleased to continue advocating for access and improving patient-centred care in our health system while also acknowledging the challenging work of Healthcare Professionals. It is a privilege to participate in wide-ranging hauora/health discussions and add voice to multiple consumer perspectives.


Currently, I work as a Support Worker/Coach in the Mental Health sector but come from an education Speech-Language Therapy and Specialist Teaching (vision and hearing) background. Through my personal and professional experiences with health services, I have broad interests in Disability Support, Long-term Conditions, Women’s and Children’s Health, Māori Health and Mental Health.

E kī ana te whakataukī: He hauora te taonga - health is wealth.

Noho ora mai – stay well!

Consumer Council Bios Bernard

Bernard Enoka 

I am a resident of Motueka and have been part of the community for 40 years. My background is in Education where I have assumed management and administrative roles with particular emphasis on Health, Physical Education and Sports. Part of my working career was spent working in International Organisations abroad which provided some insight into how health andeducation systems in other countries operate. These involvements and my participation in a range of sports and other activities have enabled me to work with a diverse range of individuals and community organisations. I continue to be involved in community activities as a volunteer.


I have a broad interest in all areas of health, particularly youth health, preventative health and mental health and I look forward to working toward providing equitable access to service delivery and ensuring consumers are empowered to make informed choices about their health.

To be given this opportunity to represent local health consumers, by working collaboratively with Nelson Marlborough’s governance and management teams to develop an effective health system that meets the needs of our communities, is a challenge I embrace.

Consumer Council Bios Brenda

Brenda Chilvers 

I am of Te Aupouri and Te whanau A Apanui Maori descent l am proud of my heritage. I have worked in Health for more than 20 years both locally and nationally. I currently work for Te Piki Oranga as a Smoking Cessation practitioner l have worked in smoke-free for more 20 years first as a SF health promoter for Te Hauora O Ngati Rarua (Blenheim) then at NMDHB and now at the National Heart Foundation as a Smoking cessation facilitator and travel around NZ delivering training sessions to health professionals on how to support people to quit smoking.

I have a particular interest in the fair distribution of health services. My motivation comes from the people I support and the people I have worked with who share the same passion and dedication. After a 20-year investment, I remain committed to a Smokefree Aotearoa. I knew when I signed up for this work that it would take time to achieve such a worthy goal and I like the idea of being part of something that will impact the health of generations to come.

Consumer Council Bios Esme

Esmé Palliser

My background has always seen me working with people & communities whether it be as a volunteer or through a long career in our region, primarily in education and health.

Living well and improving consumers' health experiences are important to me. I strongly support consumer engagement to ensure the ongoing development of services, especially in light of the pending health reforms & as our region diversifies and grows. This I believe can only be achieved if consumers are ‘at the table’ to address equitable access to service delivery, improve communication, and ultimately ensure consumers are empowered to make informed choices about their, and their families, health.

Consumer Council Bios Geoff

Geoff Ormandy - Deputy Chair

I have lived in both the Marlborough and Nelson regions for the past 15 years and continue to thoroughly enjoy residing in the area with its abundance of lifestyle options. During my time in Nelson, I have been self-employed as an education and business advisor. I also enjoy my involvement as a mentor for Business Mentors NZ. As a result of these involvements and my participation in a range of outdoor activities, I have met and worked with a diverse range of individuals and community organisations. Prior to my current involvements, I consider myself very fortunate to have been appointed to a range of management, executive and governance appointments at all levels of the education sector.

While my initial involvement with the Consumer Council proved to be a steep learning curve, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Te Whatu Ora Nelson Marlborough staff and consumers as a member of several committees and forums. I continue to be impressed by the professionalism and commitment of the staff and their increasing preparedness to consider the consumers’ perspective when reviewing and developing procedures and practices. There is, however, room for increasingly meaningful and effective consumer engagement in health decision-making processes. I am looking forward to continuing to work to ensure that the processes for improving health practices have consumers at the core.

Consumer Council Bios Marie

Marie Lindaya

After 5 years working with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), I came to NZ in 1990 to settle; and have worked with the public and private sectors – Department of Internal Affairs, ACC, Nelson City Council where I professionally learned governance matters, being the Mayor’s PA for 15 years.

In 1992 whilst with Internal Affairs, organised the first meeting of Nelson Multi-Ethnic Council, which has now evolved to Multicultural Nelson Tasman, 27 years on. Between work and life is my community volunteering which grounds me to grass root community issues and allows me to build relations and help individuals and groups of diverse cultures, ages and gender. I joined the then Nelson Volunteer Centre in 2009.

My experience of health services has been generally positive. This is not the same for some locals, particularly for the ethnic migrants and former refugee communities that I have advocated for and supported for the past 30 years since settling in New Zealand. I will add voice and experience from a culturally diverse perspective and insight, and hopefully, improve the service and support our communities better.

I am interested in all aspects of health and well-being, particularly mental health for both youth and adults.

Consumer Council Bios Nathan

Nathan Hanson

I am the coordinator at Citizens Advice Bureau Marlborough am on the board of Volunteer Marlborough and Area Co-ordinator for Top of the South Neighbourhood Support. I am studying towards a Bachelor of Arts focussing on International Relations and Politics degree through Massey University.


In my spare time, I volunteer for Youthline Wairau while being the volunteer coordinator for Youthline Central South Island.

Consumer Council Bios Nikita

Nikita Takai

Mālō e tau lava,

Ko hoku hingoá ko Nikita Takai

After being in Te Whanganui-a-tara for over a decade, I moved back to my hometown with my fāmili. I have a background working in the health sector for the Medical Council of New Zealand in the areas of competence, conduct and invigilating exams for international medical graduates. I also have governance experience working as a volunteer board member for not-for-profit organisations and I currently work in the Māori community.

Outside of work, I enjoy being an active member of my Tongan Community as well as the wider Pasifika Community here in Whakatū. My driver for being a part of the Health Consumer Council is to improve health outcomes for consumers. I am passionate about providing a voice for our Pasifika communities where there is work to be done in bridging health inequities. I want to ensure the co-design concept is proactively applied to all aspects of the health system from the strategic direction at the governance level to individual care plans between consumers and health professionals. I want to see that everyone’s access to good healthcare is fair and equal.

If you'd like to chat with any of our Consumer Council members, reach out by emailing [email protected]

Maternity Quality Safety Programme Advocates

 

The maternity service welcomes feedback/suggestions on ways to improve our service for our communities. We are delighted to welcome Kat and Edee to the team.

Consumer Council Bios Katherine

Katherine Gibbons

Marlborough

My journey in the health field began in 2012 as a volunteer with the St John Ambulance Service. In 2014, I graduated from the NZ College of Massage with a Diploma of Clinical Massage.

 

My path for advocacy began here. It was furthered following the birth of my daughter in 2019 which resulted in life changing injury and chronic pain. My ensuing dealings with health professionals led me to think how difficult it must be for some to access treatments and realistically advocate for themselves.

 

As I navigated my own pathways towards recognition and rehabilitation of birth trauma and pelvic injuries I began helping others by setting up a support group, Pelvic Dysfunction Support NZ. I have also contributed to various petitions and submissions to Government in regards to pelvic health and improved rehabilitation for parents.

 

My own lived experience has led me to become truly passionate about ensuring that our parents and pēpē have a positive start to their journey. I believe that quality health care should be accessible to all and successful health care can only happen with genuine consumer engagement.

 

I am looking forward to representing our communities voice.

Edee

Edee Bolton

Nelson

I have been involved in the fitness industry for over 10 years. I originally studied at Otago University for a Bachelor of Physical Education. – Double Major in Exercise Prescription & Exercise Science. Over the years I have been a personal trainer, mentor for trainers and a workshop presenter. Women's health has always been an area of interest so it wasn't surprising that when returning to work between having my own little ones 90% of my time is now working with pre & postnatal exercise clients and helping educate trainers around NZ in this space.

 

I see the importance and benefits exercise has not just physically but mentally and emotionally and I volunteer my time with local walking groups to help parents move and connect with one another. I am excited about being the consumer rep as I already have many connections at the ground level within our community. Not only does the work I do already allow me to have conversations around experiences but also a safe space to share feedback and open discussions within groups. I am looking forward to assisting in this space more.

Volunteer with us


MicrosoftTeams image4“No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted” – Aesop

Becoming a volunteer with us is a good way to meet new people, make great friendships and lend a helping hand in your community. Our volunteers do not replace professional services but are there to enhance our patients' and visitors' comfort and well-being.

“Volunteers are not paid – not because they are worthless but because they are priceless.”

Volunteer opportunities in 2024

 

We are not accepting volunteers at this time. 

St John Friends of the Emergency Department

Our Friends of the Emergency Department (FED) volunteers and Hospital Friends provide comfort and support to patients and their families in hospital emergency departments, as well as other wards and units. This volunteer service is co-ordinated by St John, you can contact them toll-free on 0800 780 780.