Consumer Participation Resources
Engaging and supporting the participation of people affected by cancer in our program development and priority-setting processes is pivotal to achieving Cancer Australia’s aims.
Cancer Australia has selected over 50 consumers to participate in our national advisory, reference and project working groups, to provide advice about consumer experiences and to ensure consumers’ interests are always considered.
To effectively represent the interests of all consumers across Australia, consumers working with Cancer Australia need to be informed, supported and well prepared.
In line with this, Cancer Australia has developed resources to assist consumers involved in our groups, and those who are working to support others. These resources include:
Consumer participation guide (whole document): This resource will help people build their skills to provide insight into the health system and national cancer policy and programs. You may download each Section separately as follows: Consumer training and mentoring guide: This guide recognises the skills and experiences of consumers who have experienced cancer in their lives, and the important role that consumers play in supporting other consumers.
Cancer Australia contracted the Health Issues Centre in Victoria to develop an information and support package to inform and support consumers involved in our advisory and reference groups and other national committees.
These documents aim to help consumers participating in Cancer Australia’s national advisory, reference and working groups to:
- develop a good understanding of cancer control initiatives within the health and social systems;
- develop a sound knowledge of Cancer Australia including goals, objectives and future planning;
- represent the needs of people affected by cancer at a national level;
- be able to convey to the community key elements of Cancer Australia’s roles and responsibilities;
- develop skills and understanding in key stakeholder relationships with diverse groups affected by cancer;
- actively contribute, as consumers of cancer services, to Cancer Australia’s programs and planning; and
- support consumers to be able to support each other more effectively.