Consumer Voice In Commission’s Work

Media Release
For Immediate Use

22 May 2008

Consumer Voice In Commission’s Work

The Mental Health Commission is confident its work will continue to reflect the views of people who have used mental health and addiction services.

General Manager, Dr Selwyn Katene says the Commission fully understands the importance of a consumer perspective.

“I know some service users are disappointed the new team of commissioners doesn’t include someone from a service user background,” he says.

“They have no cause for concern, however. I want to assure them that consumer perspectives will continue to be heard within the Commission and reflected in our work.”

Dr Katene says the Commission has several ways of gaining insight into the concerns and matters of interest to service users:

 A number of staff at the Commission have been service users;
 A reference group which includes strong service user representation gives the Commission advice and feedback on key areas of work;
 The Commission publishes documents that include a consumer perspective, such as the publication ‘Our Lives in 2014’.
 Service user concerns are reflected in the Commission’s work agenda for the coming year, which includes reports on human rights, social inclusion, and peer support.
 The Commission plans to further develop its website to better reflect the voices of its stakeholders, including service users.

“The Minister of Health wanted to get the right mix of leadership and governance at the helm of the Mental Health Commission, and I’m confident he’s done that,” says Dr Katene.

“The Commissioners, bring many years of clinical and leadership experience to the table, which will help the Commission drive improvements in the mental health sector. The Commission would like to do that in partnership with service users, to achieve wellbeing for all.”

ENDS

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