In this episode, our host Matt Roger sits down with Brad Astill to get his insights into consumer engagement as the recently appointed Chief Executive for Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD).

We explore Brad’s experiences in health management, lessons about consumer engagement, and how consumer lived experience shapes the District’s strategic vision.

Brad provides his thoughts on how collaboration between consumer representatives and health workers can help improve health outcomes by delivering exceptional patient care.

We also explore strategies that are beneficial for staff to learn from, and engage with, different patient/consumer groups from multicultural, disability and diversity backgrounds in a safe and supported way.

Brad shares his perspective on how doctors and other health care workers can better engage with patients and their families in service planning and policy development.

We reflect on some of the barriers and challenges to meaningful consumer engagement, and the ways to overcome those challenges and barriers so that consumers, patients and their families become better involved in their own health care journey, particularly through the expansion of virtual care capabilities.

Brad provides a crystal ball view of what consumer engagement models in Health might look like in 2030 (five years away).

Finally, we celebrate some success in consumer engagement in a health initiative that had a positive impact on patient health outcomes or service delivery.