What our Consumer Advisors say

John

“I joined the Consumer Advisor role three years ago because I want to give back to the community.

My respect for The Alfred and its staff grew after I was admitted here three years ago after a fall.

Part of my role involves speaking to patients to understand how we can improve food. I get to work with dietitians like Annabel, who explains how meals are tailored to each patient’s health needs.

Using patient feedback and the help of our dietetics and food service teams, we’ve already made a number of improvements, including to food temperature, presentation, variety, as well as introducing more culturally diverse meals.

I enjoy that the role is so varied, and I am able to contribute to improvements made to the health service.

Being a Consumer Advisor is also great way to give back to my community, and it’s great to be able to help the lives and wellbeing of others.”

Berna

Consumer Advisor, Berna Gungoren, was a former patient at The Alfred. She started in the role last year and said she wanted to help be a voice for culturally diverse patients.

“As an immigrant and a current user of health services, I empathise with culturally diverse patients and understand some of the barriers and challenges they may face,” 

“Since I started, I’ve been involved in many projects, including actively participating in the planning, development and evaluation of these services and represent my cultural point of view.

“I feel a great sense of achievement knowing that my feedback is listened to, acknowledged and used to improve quality of services.

“We’re all current or potential users of healthcare services and becoming a consumer is also a unique opportunity to give back to the society.” 

Berna is involved in a number of consumer roles accross the health service. She currently surveys patients, reviews patient information and is a member of two committees. One is a working group that is looking at the experience of patients from different cultural backgrounds and the other is a project steering committee for the new patient portal which works with the patient portal reference group.

Peter

“I have volunteered as a Consumer Adviser to help improve services for the past four years.

I applied for the role because I wanted to use my experience to help give the patient perspective.

During my time as a Consumer Advisor, I have seen quality improvements made to a number of patient facilities, including food, as well as an increased focus on compassion and respect.

It is great to see that our contribution is being taken on-board and acted upon.

As a Consumer Advisor, you engage with people who are in the most difficult of circumstances imaginable. Helping them have their voice heard is enormously uplifting and satisfying.”