On behalf of Chris Walsh, Director Partners in Care Programme, Health Quality and Safety Commission

‘Nāku tē rourou nau tē rourou ka ora ai tē iwi.’

‘With your basket and my basket the people will thrive.’

Today the Commission has launched “Engaging consumers: A guide to District Health Boards” on the website.  A courtesy copy of the PDF of the guide is attached for your information and a printed copy will be posted to you in early July.  This resource is a practical guide to help New Zealand district health boards (DHBs), and the health and disability services they fund, to engage better with consumers. It covers consumer engagement in the design and delivery of services, as well as the development of policy and governance procedures.

The purpose of this guide is to firstly, provide information about consumer engagement – both nationally and internationally; secondly, to share the successes and learnings of New Zealand providers about how they engage with consumers; and thirdly, to promote networking throughout the health and disability sector.

Consumer engagement is a strategic priority for the Health Quality & Safety Commission. Through our Partners in Care programme, the Commission is working with others to influence quality and safety practice in the sector through building and sharing evidence of the value of consumer/provider partnerships. This guide to consumer engagement for district health boards (DHBs) and other service providers came about because of our work in this area and the response from the sector.

The guide is free to download from the website http://www.hqsc.govt.nz/our-programmes/consumer-engagement/publications-and-resources/publication/2162/.   To order a hard copy email info@hqsc.govt.nz

On behalf of the Commission thanks to the steering group who gave advice and supported this project, to  everyone who provided feedback and hosted on site visits and those whose stories enrich this guide.