About this item

Issue date:
23 May 2025
Status:
Current
Corporate Author:
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Type:
Corporate publication
Topic:
Consumer voice
Location:
Otago and Southland

About the Community health council

The Community health council is dedicated to empowering community voices, championing positive change, and promoting equity within the Southern health system. By fostering strong and valued relationships with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora — Southern and WellSouth, the council actively supports the consumer engagement space, amplifying the consumer voice to enhance patient experiences and improve health outcomes.

Council members

Toni Huls
Chris Middlemass
June Mills
Lyneta Russell
Paula Waby
Beryl Wilcox
Max Wolfgram

Code of expectations for health entities' engagement with consumers and whānau — Health Quality & Safety Commission (external link)

The Community Health Council's role is to:

  • Ensure and enable communities, whānau and patient participation across the Southern district and national health systems.
  • Identify and advise on health systems and services for communities, whānau and patients, including input into the development of health service priorities and strategies.
  • Ensure reports, developments and initiatives relating to health services have appropriately engaged, or been developed with, communities, whānau and patients.
  • Ensure regular communication and networking with the communities, whānau and patient groups.
  • Link up with special interest groups as required, for specific issues and problem solving.