The Community and Health Advisory Group provides consumers with a mechanism to participate in decisions about service and program planning, development, evaluation and quality improvement activities. 

By engaging consumers as partners in health, Alpine Health ensures that the service planning is relevant to the population generally, and is better able to respond to the specific needs of the Alpine Shire community.

The responsibilities of CHAG members include:

• To participate in Alpine Health’s planning and service development processes, including any capital works programs.
• To report and make recommendations to Alpine Health and other health and community service agencies on relevant matters of concern following consultation with the community.
• To advise Alpine Health on the community’s expectations concerning the quality of services provided and on how this may be continuously improved.
• To advise on the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Alpine Health Partnering with Consumers Plan in order to improve Alpine Health’s response to health issues related to diversity and disadvantage.
• To engage with their community and report back to the Group and/or the Board of Directors on emerging issues. This work will be guided by the CHAG Community Engagement Strategy. 
• To review and endorse Alpine Health consumer information as directed and provide recommendations in keeping with the Checklist for Assessing Written Consumer Health Information.
• To assist in the identification of development and training needs in relation to consumer participation.
• To consider any matter referred to it by the Alpine Health Board of Directors.

When a position on CHAG becomes vacant, Alpine Health will advertise for expressions of interest from the community to join CHAG. Interviews will be conducted by the CHAG Chair, a Board Director and the Partnering with Consumers Officer. The CHAG Chair will recommend appointments to the Board of Directors. Appointments are then made by the Board.

Key characteristics of CHAG members should include the ability to:

• Contribute knowledge and expertise from a consumer perspective.
• Use their strong community networks or understanding of local issues to inform planning.
• Reflect on and present broader community issues.
• Show interest in creating safer systems and better care at Alpine Health.

Personal attributes should include:

• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively and supportively in a team environment.
• Acceptance of philosophies, beliefs and rights of others.
• Sensitivity to the needs of patients, residents and clients.
• Warmth, understanding, empathy and composure.

Professional expectations:

• A commitment to attend and actively participate in bimonthly CHAG meetings.
• Follow guidelines established by CHAG.
• Dependability, which includes notifying CHAG or the Executive Officer if unable to fulfil a commitment.
• Respect for the privacy of others and maintenance of strict confidentiality of patient, resident and client information.
• Consideration of, and respect for, the competence of others.
• Identification and understanding of own limitations and accountability for personal actions.
• Awareness of over-commitment.
• Attendance at relevant training, seminars and conferences where possible.

Members of the public are welcome to raise relevant community issues at a CHAG meeting, however only members may vote. Please contact the Executive Officer to discuss your concern.

A community member may discuss an issue:

• directly with the CHAG Chairperson or the Executive Officer. If required, the issue will then be added to the CHAG meeting agenda;
• with an Alpine Health Board member or manager at any time.

The Board of Directors will appoint the Chair following a recommendation from CHAG. The Chair should be appointed for a three-year term, and should not serve more than two consecutive terms in this role.

The Chairperson may represent the Group at Board meetings, to other agencies and in community forums. The CHAG Chairperson may act as a spokesperson in the community. The Executive Officer will also liaise with the Chairperson between meetings to advance ongoing issues.