A District Health Advisory Councils (DHAC) is a group of people (health consumers, carers, community members and service providers) who actively seek to improve health service planning, access, safety and quality.

The composition of these Advisory Councils aim to reflect a cross-section of community health interests. Health service providers and agency representatives should comprise no more than 30% of the total number of members.

Advisory Councils provide the opportunity for continuously improving consumer and community participation at the local, district and State levels.

For more information about WA Country Health Services, visit: http://www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au

The Aims of the DHACs are:

1. Provide effective community and consumer participation.
2. Improve safety, quality and access using consumer and carer input.
3. Provide a voice for the community and consumers to WA country HEalth Service (WACHS). the minister for Health, Director General of Health, Chief Executive Officer of WACHS and other senior WACHS staff about country health needs, priorities and services.
4. Influence consumer, community, WACHS and inter-agency links at the local district, regional and State levels.
5. Establish a two-way information exchange by:

• Consumers and community members informing health service providers of priortiy health issues and offering solutions;
• Service providers giving consumers and the community evidence of priority health needs and suitable service delivery models to improve access, safety and quality.

The Health Consumers' Council (HCC) lends support and provides information to members of the DHAC through Advocacy training and a DHAC e-newsletter

The Consumer Participation Officer organizes and runs workshops for members of the DHAC, covering topics such as advocacy and strategies to implement advocacy in their community.

CLICK HERE for HCC flyer on Advocacy Workshop for DHAC's

The DHAC e-newsletter is created and circulated at the end of the month. The purpose of this newsletter is to keep them abreast of country issues through articles and information that comes across at HCC through various sources such as the media and events. Scroll below to access our DHAC e-Newsletter!

For further information you could ring the Health Consumers' Council at 9221 3422, or make a Freecall for country consumers at 1800 620 780 and ask to speak to the Consumer Participation Officer. Alternatively you could drop us an email at info@hconc.org.au

DHAC e-Newsletter Archive

2010