In this episode our host Matt Roger sits down with Belinda Berryman (Communications and Engagement Manager, Health Infrastructure and co-chair of the Nepean Hospital Redevelopment Consumer Committee) and Julie Russell, a fellow consumer representative in the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District and co-chair of the Nepean Hospital Redevelopment Consumer Committee.

Nepean Hospital is the main hospital facility in the District and is currently in Stage 2 of its $1 billion, multi-year redevelopment. To provide a lived experience voice into the Redevelopment, the Consumer Committee has been operating for many years.

We discuss the importance of consumer engagement in the Nepean Hospital Redevelopment, including the communication strategy for keeping consumers and patients informed. We reflect on how consumers are leveraging broader consumer networks and patient experiences in the codesign of the Redevelopment.

Belinda and Julie discuss some real examples of how consumer engagement in Stage 1 of the Nepean Hospital Redevelopment has delivered positive benefits for consumer and patient experiences alike, and how ongoing consumer engagement is helping to influence Stage 2. On the flipside, we also consider some of the main barriers or challenges to genuine consumer engagement.

Belinda highlights how the consumer codesign lessons learned from the Nepean Redevelopment Consumer Committee are being applied in other NSW Health Infrastructure significant redevelopment projects. Julie also provides some insights into where to next for strengthening consumer engagement in significant Redevelopments of hospitals and health services.