Consumer groups in Canterbury

Consumer groups place consumers, whānau, and communities at the center of health service design, development, and monitoring.


About consumer groups

Local consumer groups work with health staff to make sure a patient and community voice is a part of the decision-making. They:

  • promote and improve whānau-centred care
  • have a say in how things happen
  • help us understand what you need from health services.

Child health advisory council

The Child health advisory council (CHAC) provides an organised way for parents, guardians and wider whānau to provide input on issues that impact on the care of pēpi, tamariki and rangatahi.

Email CHAC@cdhb.health.nz


Disability steering group

The Disability steering group (DSG) makes sure people with disabilities in the Canterbury and West Coast districts have the health services they need, and feel included in decisions about their health.

Email disabilityplan@cdhb.health.nz


Maternity whānau voice

Maternity whānau voice is a key priority of the Waitaha Maternity Quality and Safety Programme. Maternity whānau voice has a large number of individual and non-government organisation members who attend meetings or receive the minutes and provide feedback on topics.

Email wchsafetyandquality@cdhb.health.nz


Neonatal whānau information group

The Neonatal whānau information group is to discusses educational material, health information and service enhancements for whānau of pēpi in the Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Email jemma.hartley@neonataltrust.org.nz


Youth advisory council

The Youth advisory council (YAC) is a lived experience advisory council voluntarily run by rangatahi aged 16 to 24 that advocates for 12 to 24-year-olds in the Canterbury health system.

Email cdhbyouth@gmail.com