Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network engagement with consumers and the community

Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network (BHFLHN) is strongly committed to engaging with consumers and community. We recognise the value of the consumer voice and the need for consumer experience and expertise to help shape decisions about health care at the level of the system, service and individual. This leads to better health outcomes, better experiences for consumers and clinicians, decreased adverse events, and greater efficiency of care.

Health Advisory Councils

In regional areas of South Australia HACs ensure that the strong link between communities and their health services are maintained.

There are six Health Advisory Councils in the Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network:

For more information

For further information about the HACs, visit the Regional Health Advisory Councils page.

Consumer Representatives at BHFLHN

At Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network (BHFLHN), we believe that listening to the consumer voice is essential to delivering safe, high-quality care, and we invite you to be part of that journey.
Consumer Representative roles offer a valuable opportunity to contribute to the improvement of local health services across the BHFLHN region by representing the voice of consumers and the community.

Who can be a Consumer Representative?

Community members are eligible to become a Consumer Representative if they are 16 years of age or older and meet at least one of the following criteria:

Live or work in BHFLHN.
Access, or care for someone who accesses, BHFLHN services.
Has the potential to access BHFLHN services, or cares for someone who does.

Individuals currently employed by BHFLHN, or serving as Elected Members of local councils within the BHFLHN region or any other level of government, are not eligible to apply.

Representativeness

BHFLHN welcomes and encourages applications from consumers who reflect the rich diversity of our community. Ensuring a broad range of voices helps us to engage more meaningfully and make decisions that are inclusive and representative of the people we serve. We value diversity across many dimensions, including but not limited to: age, gender, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity, persons living with a disability, neurodiversity, and LGBTQIA+ identity.

Your commitment as a Consumer Representative

As a Consumer Representative, you are expected to:

Attend scheduled meetings with an attendance rate of 80% annually.
Notify of apology or inability to attend meetings as soon as possible.
Prepare for meetings as required, including pre-reading.
Commit to engage in constructive conversation in line with the Code of Conduct.

Our commitment to you

As a Consumer Representative, you will be supported to ensure you are:

Effectively prepared for the role through a tailored orientation program.
Treated as an equal member of the group.
Heard, listened to and understood in your role.
Comfortable asking for clarification, especially if jargon is used.
Given all relevant information and an agenda for the meeting with sufficient time to read, understand, and consult consumer/carer groups and other consumers/carers beforehand.
Reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in this role.
Provided with support to enable your full participation by the provision of a ‘buddy’.
Offered networking opportunities with Consumer Representatives from across BHFLHN.

Confidentiality, conflict of interest, Code of Conduct

Consumer Representatives will be required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement, a Conflict-of-Interest Agreement, and a Consumer Representative Code of Conduct.

Get involved – Become a Consumer Representative

We're always looking for passionate community members to join us as Consumer Representatives with the Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network (BHFLHN). Your voice can help shape better health services for everyone.

To learn more or express your interest, please contact our Engagement team at HealthBHFLHNConsumers@sa.gov.au.

Current consumer opportunities

BHFLHN is inviting expressions of interest for two Consumer Representatives. Both appointed representatives will join the following BHFLHN Governing Board sub-committees:

Clinical Governance Committee and
Consumer and Community Engagement Committee

These roles offer a valuable opportunity to contribute to the improvement of local health services across the BHFLHN region by representing the voice of consumers and the community.

Applications close Friday 31 October 2025.

Skills and experience

We are seeking someone who brings passion, lived experience and a strong connection to the community. Ideally, you will have:

Key qualities we’re looking for:

Strong communication skills.
The ability to listen and represent different viewpoints, even if they are not your own.
Willingness to seek clarification when needed.
Confidence to share your own views respectfully and constructively during formal meetings, while also representing the voices and perspectives of the wider consumer and community groups.
A basic understanding of the health and aged care systems.

Experience and skills that would be valued:

Experience in consumer advocacy or participation in health-related committees or forums.
Connections with a diverse range of community networks across BHFLHN.
Familiarity with community engagement practices or clinical governance principles, including safety, quality and risk management.

You don’t need to tick every box to get involved

While certain skills and experiences are desirable, they are not essential. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t feel you meet all the criteria. Your passion, perspective, and willingness to contribute are what matter most.

We warmly welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people of all abilities, and individuals from diverse backgrounds.

The committees

The Terms of Reference for each committee can be viewed below:

Clinical Governance Committee

This committee plays a vital role in ensuring a robust and consistent approach to clinical governance. Its focus includes reviewing clinical outcomes, monitoring clinical performance and guiding clinical governance practices across all care settings.

The committee also seeks to:

Promote a culture of continuous quality improvement through integrated systems.
Ensure the consistent application of best practice clinical governance.
Support and ensure readiness for accreditation surveys.

Read the Clinical Governance Committee Terms of Reference (PDF 326KB).

Consumer and Community Engagement Committee

This Committee plays a key role in strengthening how BHFLHN connects with consumers, carers and the broader community. It provides advice and makes recommendations to support meaningful partnerships in the design, delivery and evaluation of health services that reflect the diverse needs of our community.

A central responsibility of this Committee is to guide the development and implementation of the BHFLHN Consumer and Community Engagement Strategy (PDF 8126KB), ensuring that engagement is inclusive, respectful and impactful. Read the Consumer and Community Engagement Committee Terms of Reference (PDF 365KB).

For more information and to apply, please refer to the Expression of Interest pack (PDF 874KB) and Application Form (PDF 777KB).

Remuneration

Consumer Representatives receive a sitting fee for their participation on the Governing Board subcommittees. As of September 2025, the sitting fee is set at $387 per meeting, with a maximum annual limit of $4,644.

These sitting fees are in accordance with the SA Health Sitting Fees and Reimbursement for External Individuals Policy, as well as the Department of Premier and Cabinet Circular PC on Remuneration for Government Appointed Part-Time Boards and Committees.

More information can be found here:

How to apply

Please take a moment to review the Committee Terms of Reference and Code of Conduct to ensure the opportunity aligns with your interests and values.

Application information is also available at the BHFLHN reception desks for hospitals, aged care, and community health facilities. To apply, simply complete the Application Form and submit it via email to HealthBHFLHNConsumers@sa.gov.au or deliver it to your nearest BHFLHN reception. We look forward to hearing from you!

We warmly welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, individuals from diverse backgrounds, and people of all abilities.

If you need support with the application process or would like to discuss how we can assist you while appointed as a consumer representative, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We're here to help.

If successful, you will need to complete a National Police Clearance (eligible for reimbursement from BHFLHN).