What: voicing the consumer perspective

Representatives voice the consumer perspective and take part in the decision-making process on behalf of consumers.

Where: health committees & working parties

Each of the health committees and working parties dealing with the interests of people affected by cancer will have at least one Cancer Consumer Representative (voice) as they work towards the goals of the New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy.

A cancer consumer is someone who has experienced cancer as a patient or as a carer or loved one of a cancer patient.

Who: any cancer consumer

Any cancer consumer is a potential representative.

How: talk to us about becoming a representative

• Talk to us about being a representative
• Attend the next training course
• Assess, with our trainers, if this work is right for you.

Support for representatives

As a representatives you can expect attendance fees, reimbursement of any costs, consideration of any health limitations, explanations of technical or clinical terms and ongoing mentoring and support.

More about being a representative

A key principle of the New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy is that cancer consumers should be actively involved in all activities undertaken to reduce the incidence and impact of cancer and the reduction of inequalities relating to cancer; an objective consistent with the purposes for which CancerVOICES exists.

All of the many health committees and working parties dealing with the interests of people affected by cancer should thus have one or more Cancer Consumer Representatives (advisors).

A cancer consumer is defined as someone who has experienced cancer as a patient or as a carer or loved one of a cancer patient; any cancer consumer is a potential Cancer Consumer Representative.

Representatives voice the consumer perspective and take part in the decision-making process on behalf of consumers; they are integral members of the committee, possessing additional specific expertise. They use their personal experience to provide a general view of issues affecting cancer consumers and use their skills in committee discussion to achieve improved outcomes for cancer consumers. You can read a more detailed description of the role at CCR Guidelines.

Given the consistency of this key principle of the New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy with the aims and values of CancerVOICES, we decided to do what we could to help its implementation. Accordingly, CancerVOICES, in collaboration with the Cancer Society of New Zealand, has established an ongoing programme to ensure that those nominated to be cancer consumer representatives are properly trained and equipped to carry out their role effectively. The programme has been developed for New Zealand conditions using the experience gained from similar programmes operating in Australia. The first New Zealand training course was completed in December 2007 and a second programme was held during April 2008. Further courses are planned.