Consumer focus groups to provide input into the new Women and Babies Hospital have begun, with about 70 Western Australians selected to take part in the consultation panels.
An Expression of Interest process was launched by the McGowan Government on 19 October 2022 for consumers wanting to join the focus groups, with an impressive 766 applications received.
The consumer focus groups will provide vital input into planning for the new $1.8 billion Women and Babies Hospital.
Participants include people from a diverse range of backgrounds from around the State.
Each will bring their own lived and learned experiences and ideas to discussions about the patient pathways – what works currently and should be retained, what could be improved and how it could be done.
The first of the focus groups met last week to talk about the Family Birth Centre.
These consultations are the first of many opportunities for people to help shape the new hospitals, with future rounds of consultations being planned for 2023 and beyond.
For more information, visit womenandbabieshospital.wa.gov.au
As stated by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
“The interest from the community has been huge and I’d like to thank everyone who made an application to join the focus groups.
“The focus groups are an important milestone for this significant project and will ensure the diverse views and experiences of consumers across the State will be heard.
“Ensuring patient-centred care is at the heart of the new $1.8 billion hospital is paramount and we will be consulting throughout the project to ensure women and families have proper input.”
