Partnering with Consumers: Practical Training for Health Staff

Meaningful consumer engagement can help health services better understand the needs, experiences and priorities of the people who use them.

This introductory workshop will give you a practical foundation for working with health consumers, carers, families, community members and people with lived experience.

You will learn what meaningful consumer engagement looks like, different ways to involve consumers, who to involve and what to consider before you get started.

Designed for people working across health services in Western Australia, this workshop is suitable for anyone who is new to consumer engagement or wants to strengthen their understanding of good engagement practice.

HCCWA works with health services across WA to support meaningful consumer and community engagement.

This workshop is designed for people working in healthcare who want to involve consumers and community members more effectively in their work.

This workshop may be useful if you work in:

• Consumer or community engagement

• Service planning or improvement

• Quality and safety

• Policy

• Project or program management

• Communications

• Research

• Clinical services

• Community health

• Health service leadership

You do not need previous experience in consumer engagement.

If your work involves designing, improving or evaluating healthcare services, programs, policies or projects, this workshop will give you a practical introduction to working with consumers.

By the end of the workshop, you will have a clearer understanding of:

• Why meaningful consumer engagement matters.

• Who to involve in consumer and community engagement.

• Different ways consumers can participate.

• How to choose an engagement approach that suits your project.

• What to consider when engaging people from diverse communities.

• Common barriers to meaningful participation.

• How to avoid engagement becoming tokenistic.

• What support and resources are available.

You will receive a certificate of completion after the workshop.

Date: Wednesday 4 November 2026

Time: 9.00 am to 11.00 am AWST

Format: Online via Zoom

Cost: Free

Certificate: A certificate of completion will be provided

We will email the Zoom link to registered attendees before the workshop. You can join using a computer, tablet or smartphone.

Consumer engagement means involving patients, carers, families, community members and people with lived experience in decisions about healthcare.

It can include consultation, advisory groups, co-design, committees, research, service improvement and other ways of working together.

Meaningful engagement involves people early enough for their input to influence decisions.

People who use healthcare services bring knowledge and perspectives that organisations cannot gain from clinical or organisational experience alone.

Meaningful consumer engagement can help organisations:

• Better understand people’s needs

• Identify problems and barriers

• Improve services and programs

• Make decisions that reflect community experiences

• Build trust with consumers and communities

Consumer partnership is also included in the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards and the WA Sustainable Health Review.

Tania Harris is HCCWA’s Manager, Engagement and Systemic Advocacy. Her portfolio includes Aboriginal engagement and disability engagement.

Tania is an Aboriginal woman originally from Queensland. Before joining HCCWA, she worked across Aboriginal programs including ear health and parenting support.

She has a particular interest in disability, young people and supporting people to participate in decisions about health services.

We want everyone to be able to participate.

Tell us about any accessibility or communication needs when you register. This may include information in another format, additional breaks or other practical support.

If you would like to discuss your needs before registering, contact engagement@hconc.org.au.

The workshop will be held online via Zoom. We will email the joining link to registered attendees before the workshop. You can join using a computer, tablet or smartphone.

Please tell us when you register if you need an adjustment to participate. This could include information in another format, additional breaks or other practical support.

Continue developing your skills and connect with people working to improve healthcare across Western Australia.

You can:

• Explore HCCWA’s consumer engagement resources

• Attend another HCCWA workshop

• Join the Health Engagement Network

• Ask HCCWA about training, consumer recruitment, facilitation or engagement advice

• Follow HCCWA on Humanitix for future events

Build the practical knowledge you need to start involving health consumers more meaningfully.

Register for this free online workshop.

This is a free event. If you can no longer attend, please cancel your registration promptly so we can offer your place to someone else.