Are you interested in the health of your community

4 March 2010

If you live in the Maitland area and want to have input on health service delivery in your city, this is your opportunity.

The Maitland Local Health Advisory Committee (LHAC) is looking for new members.

The committee is made up of community members that provide valuable input on behalf of the Maitland community to The Maitland Hospital and Community Health services in the area.

A number of vacancies exist on the committee.

The Maitland Hospital’s Acting General Manager Karen Kelly said the hospital was keen to hear from enthusiastic community members interested in providing input about local health service delivery.

“Local Health Advisory Committees perform a vital role in advising and assisting the health service to continually improve services in the Maitland area,” Ms Kelly said.

“They also tell us how we can help meet the needs of the community.”

Maitland LHAC Chairwoman Dr Helen Belcher said there was also an opportunity to influence health policy in the broader community.

“Our committee was able to raise with Maitland City Council the benefits for an outdoor smoking ban across the city and advocate for a city-wide policy.”

Dr Belcher said having the policy adopted is the committee’s major achievement to date and is a good example of community action at work.

“It is great that the council took up the cause and became involved,” Dr Belcher said.

“Health departments alone cannot maintain or promote health – you have to include other stakeholders and even individuals,” said Dr Belcher, a lecturer on the sociology of health at the University of Newcastle and a former nurse.

Ms Kelly said joining the Maitland Local Health Advisory Committee is a great way for local people to participate and have a voice.

“People of all ages are eligible to apply, particularly those with a wide network of local connections and knowledge that can help us foster two-way communication between the health service and the community.”

“If you have an interest in health and are keen to become involved we would encourage you to apply for membership on the committee,” Ms Kelly said.

Application forms and further information about these positions can be obtained by calling The Maitland Hospital on 4939 2068.

Contact: Frances Holz

Phone: 4939 2216