Supporting Consumer Representatives

A Consumer Representative should not be expected to:

Have a technical background in the subject under discussion. The consumer representative provides consumers perspectives on an issue and does not need the technical knowledge. Their expertise is in knowledge of consumer issues.
Undertake consumer consultations beyond what is required to inform their own input at the meeting or to ensure their own accountability to their constituency. If wider consumer consultation is required, the consumer representative can advise the committee on how this can be progressed and advise Health Care Consumers' Association of any such requests.

The Consumers' Health Forum of Australia provides a useful checklist for how health providers can support consumer representatives.