The Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) supports Pharmac to enhance how it involves consumers in its work and takes the needs and interests of consumers into account. As such, experience in supporting organisations to build their capability and approaches to consumer involvement and engagement is ideally required. The ideal candidate will also have an understanding of the application of te Tiriti o Waitangi and its relationship to equity for Māori.

Pharmac is a government agency. It decides which medicines and related products are funded in New Zealand.
 

More broadly, we are looking for someone who:

can confidently share perspectives in group discussion in a respectful way
has an understanding of current health issues and of New Zealand’s health system
can advocate for the needs and interests of all consumers, given Pharmac’s work has high relevance for all groups of people.

The Committee meets in Wellington for full-day meetings three times a year. It also has monthly 90-minute video conferences. Members are remunerated for both preparation time and attendance at meetings.

To submit your application, please send your CV and covering letter directly to [email protected] Please reach out to this email address if you have any questions.

Click here to learn more

This opportunity closes Wednesday, 14 June

Do you want to make a difference?

The Health Consumer Advisory Group will work in partnership with consumers, whānau and communities to ensure they are heard by Nelson Bays Primary Health (NBPH), and that consumers have a strong and viable voice in planning, co-designing, and delivering health services across Nelson Bays, health services that are people centred and responsive to the needs of all communities.

The Health Consumer Advisory Group will compromise of members who have diverse backgrounds, contacts, and skills and must be passionate about consumers and whānau being able to access the best possible health services.

We are looking for Tāngata Whai Ora (consumer representatives) from the community who have lived experience of health services personally or as whānau:

• Māori and Pasifika
• LGBTQI + People
• Youth
• Older Persons
• Mental Health and Addictions
• Disabled People
• Have recently accessed health services directly or for whānau
• Are actively engaged in a specific area of health need in their community in a consumer capacity
  
  

Applications close: 23 June 2023

Click here to learn more and apply on the NBPH website 

People with long-term conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular or respiratory disease are more likely to also develop mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. The goal of this research is to identify people who have ‘sub-clinical’ signs of depression and/or anxiety in order to provide psychological support to return to wellness without the need for medication.

The research team is comprised of clinicians and researchers with a range of backgrounds, including pharmacists, a general practitioner, a clinical health psychologist and a psychiatrist. Part of the research process will be to gather consumer input on the design of the intervention but we also value consumer perspectives on the research project as a whole and the intervention being designed.

The research advisory group is seen as a key part of the co-design process. We are looking for two consumer members who:

• have one or more long-term physical health conditions, and
• have lived experience of depression and/or anxiety.
• The advisory group will meet four times per year between June 2023 to December 2025. We expect the meetings will be approximately 1 hour long and, in some instances, may require 1-2 hours of preparation. Consumers will be compensated for their time in the form of a gift card. Amounts will align with Te Tāhū Hauora’s policy for paying consumers (section 11b). The policy is available to read here.

The meetings will be held in Auckland, but we encourage expressions of interest from people outside of Auckland who can join the meetings via videoconference.

If you have any questions about this consumer role or would like to apply, please email [email protected]. Please include your name, contact telephone, and email address, and write a short description of your healthcare experiences plus a little bit about yourself if you wish to apply.

Applications close at 6pm, Friday 2 June 2023.

We want to know:

• How can we make life easier for whānau?
• How can we make sure everyone has access to health care?
• What information do you need access to and how would you like to access it?

We want to hear what you expect from us, and what would work for you. Based on what people have told us already, we also have some ideas we’d like feedback on.

We are looking for:

• 15 to 20 people to take part in research sessions.
• Sessions will be 45-75 minutes long and could be online or over the phone.
• We can also offer face-to-face sessions in some places, depending on what you prefer. The session could be just you, or as a whānau or group, it’s up to you.
• Those selected to take part in a 45-to-75-minute session will receive a $50 prezzy card voucher to say thank you for your time.

We want to hear from a diverse range of people and whānau, and we’re especially keen to hear from communities that experience health inequities. For this reason, we’d like to hear from people who identify as:

• Māori
• Pacific peoples
• Living with a disability
• Rural
• Low digital access
• Frequent interactions with health system
• Part of the rainbow community
• From a refugee / migrant background
• Older adult
• Younger adult

In particular, we’d like to hear from people who identify with several of these groups/characteristics.

The research sessions will be held in May, at a date and time that suits you. Applications close on Wednesday 31 May; however, applicants will be contacted for participation as they apply. This is a rolling project so the interviews will be scheduled on an individual basis.

Who we are: The project is being led by service designers from the Design and Channels team within Te Whatu Ora Data and Digital.

How to apply: If you are interested in taking part in this project, please fill out the form linked below.

Applications close at 6.00 pm on 31 May 2023.

To apply to take part in research about digital health experiences, please click here

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Meg Douglas Howie, Principal Service Designer ([email protected]) or call 04 974 3529).

The advisory group consists of eight core members, representing people who live with the impact of mental distress and addictions 

This survey is for anyone who has lived experience, or whānau members of those who have lived experience of any (or a combination) of the following:

• distress, 
• substance harm, 
• harmful gambling,
• psychiatric diagnosis,
• addiction,
• using mental health or addiction supports or services, 
• experiencing barriers to accessing these support and services when they are needed. 

It should take you approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.

The survey is voluntary, confidential, and anonymous. We will use the survey findings to inform our refreshed strategic plan and terms of reference.

Click here to participate in the survey

These conversations can be difficult for patients, whānau and health care teams. This project will develop educational tools and resources to help health professionals communicate better with whānau about resuscitation options and CPR. 

We are looking for consumers to be part of a strategy group to provide oversight and direction to this project.

Candidates will be selected based on experience and understanding in these key areas:

• caring for whānau who have been seriously unwell, or supporting whānau in a hospital environment
• understanding of the support- needs of disabled people with a serious illness
• well-established communication channels with hapori Māori networks
• understanding of te ao Māori, tikanga and mātauranga Māori

Payment/remuneration will be based on Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission guidelines here.

(closes Sunday 28 May 2023)

 If you would like to ask any questions, or submit your expression of interest, contact the project manager Cheryl Ford on 04 901 6083 or email [email protected]

Designed for people aged 12 and over, it is completely anonymous and asks seven simple questions about your experience with us.

We encourage everyone using our services, and their whānau, to provide feedback to us via the Mārama Feedback Survey.

Choose the service to start the survey

Choose the service you would like to give feedback on. There are different links for each service. You can give feedback on more than one service if you wish.

What is the significance of Mārama?

Mārama is a Māori concept relating to wisdom and understanding, and the natural world of life and light. It derives from the Māori legend in which Tāne (Māori guardian of the forest and birds) separated his Sky Father, Ranginui, and Earth Mother, Papatūānuku, to create a world of light and life.

This world was known as ‘Te ao mārama’.

Will you be able to identify me from this survey?

No. We cannot identify who gave which answers.

The survey is completely anonymous – the survey does not ask for any name or contact information.  We encourage consumers and their whānau to be open and honest with their feedback.

What happens to the feedback provided?

All feedback provided to us via the Mārama Feedback Survey is being collected and regular reports are provided to our services.  Any feedback helps us to review, adjust and improve our services.

How do I complete the Mārama survey?

There are many ways to complete the Mārama survey:

From the comfort of a computer

Visit the Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand – Nelson Marlborough website - there is a webpage dedicated to the Mārama feedback survey for Mental Health & Addictions.  There is a link on the webpage to the survey. Please note that the survey is designed to operate on Firefox and Chrome web browsers only.
 

Scanning the QR code on our posters or other materials with a smartphone

Mārama posters in our reception areas have QR codes on them.  Simply scan the code with a smartphone’s camera (or QR code reader app) to open the survey.

The Mārama QR code can also be found on many of our appointment cards and flyers.

At the end of an appointment

If your location has a tablet set up for completing the Mārama survey - please offer consumers and their whānua the opportunity to complete the Mārama survey then and there.

Survey link by text or email following an appointment

Some of our services may send texts or emails following an appointment.  The message may include a link to our Mārama feedback survey.

Printed copies of the Mārama survey

Most of our services will have paper versions of the Mārama survey available to complete.  These are identical to the online survey.

Please ask anyone completing the paper survey to place it in the nearest feedback survey box.

What if I want to make a complaint?

The survey is not a formal complaint tool.  As the results are anonymous, we can’t follow up with anyone to make things right.

If you or someone you know would like to make a formal complaint, please:

• talk with the team who provided your care and treatment
• ask to speak with the team leader/manager
• make a complaint through Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand - Nelson Marlborough
• contact a local Health and Disability Advocate on freephone 0800 555 050
• talk to the Health and Disability Commissioner on freephone 0800 11 22 33 or email [email protected]

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.