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: www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au
The Aims of the DHACs are:
- Provide effective community and consumer participation.
- Improve safety, quality and access using consumer and carer input.
- 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.
- Influence consumer, community, WACHS and inter-agency links at the local district, regional and State levels.
- 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.