Peel District Health Advisory Council announced

12/8/03
Peel residents will have a greater role in influencing health policy and development, through the newly created Peel District Health Advisory Council, Health Minister Jim McGinty said today.
Mr McGinty said the 16-member council comprised community members from a diverse range of backgrounds.
"The advisory council is made up of those working in the health industry, consumers of health services and those with an interest in a particular area of health," he said.
"The council will enable community input and advocacy without the legal and financial burdens associated with the previous health service boards."
He said the establishment of a single, unified health system with strong community input was one of the many reforms the Gallop Government had introduced to improve the health system for local communities.
The key roles of the advisory council members will be to:

• consult with consumers and community members about relevant health issues;
• present the views and opinions of consumers and community members at the council;
• offer creative input in relation to the delivery of health services;
• become familiar with the priorities of the health services at a local, district and regional level;
• share knowledge and expertise; and
• consider the views of consumers and the community in service development and planning.

• Ross Bailey - a local community member with an interest in access to health services;
• Anthony Ball - the Zone Chair of the National Seniors Association, with an interest in aged care;
• Peter Bensley - a remedial massage therapist with an interest in remedial therapies;
• Linda Chui - has a focus on reducing gaps in services for people, children in particular, with disabilities;
• Ann Dods - has an interest in oncology and lobbying for radiotherapy services in Mandurah;
• Alison Harrison - interested in improving maternity, antenatal and postnatal services;
• John Hughes - past City of Mandurah councillor and board member, Peel Community Living (supported accommodation for people with disabilities), John has an interest in patient transport and community health needs;
• Sonia James - key areas of interest include patient transport, youth services and suicide prevention;
• Frank Jones - a general practitioner and deputy chair of the Peel SW Division of General Practice;
• Keith Lockhart - areas of focus include community health programs, drug education and hospital services;
• Deborah McLeod - aged care provider in Pinjarra, with an interest in youth issues, especially mental health services for adolescents;
• Lyn O'Brien - clinical co-ordinator, Peel Community Mental Health Service;
• Don Pember - the president of Mandurah City Rotary Club, Mandurah City councillor and the chair, Peel Health Campus Community Board of Advice, Don's interests include health promotion, aged care, respite care and availability of general practitioners;
• Greg Poestkoke - operator of local introduction agency, who is interested in reducing isolation and loneliness of people in the region;
• Shirley Pollack - a carer with a keen interest in the area of mental health services for youth and the aged; and
• Lois Wattis - resident of Coolup, who would like to see maternity and midwifery advice services in the Peel region on par with those provided in the Perth metropolitan area.