Families and Consumer Council

We want to hear from you!

We are looking to engage with a diverse range of families and community members that have experience with our services to help shape our future.

Please complete this survey to tell us a bit more about yourself, and one of our team members will be in touch.

Download the Families and Consumer Council poster

Who we are

The Families and Consumer Council (FACC) is made up of parents, carers and community members who want to make positive changes within our services. The FACC meets every two months to share ideas and work to improve how we deliver care.

Membership is made up of volunteer parents and carers of young people, community members and staff. We work in consultation and partnership to ensure your voice is embedded in all that we do.

Purpose

The Council supports the Network in shaping the future experiences of patients, families and community members accessing its services by:

• Acting as an advisory body, assisting us to achieve our strategic directions
• Providing patient, family and community perspective on matters referred by other committees and departments
• Providing the patient, family and community voice on health issues, needs and concerns of people accessing health services
• Supporting the Network in helping children and young people live their healthiest lives possible

Download the Families and Consumer Council Terms of Reference.

What we want to achieve

We are committed to patient and family centred care and involving the young person and their family in care planning.

We want to know what is important to you and how we can make your experience better. The Council provides an opportunity for parents, carers and community members to tell us what we are doing well, but also what we can do better.

For more information, please email us at SCHN-PatientandFamilyEngagement@health.nsw.gov.au

Testimonials

Amanda Dominello - Parent

“Our daughter has been receiving treatment at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead since 2017. I saw participating in the Families and Consumer Council (FaCC) as an opportunity to draw on our experiences and contribute to decisions that will improve the care of children, young people, and their families at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN).

FaCC provides a forum to develop, share and test ideas. By bringing families and consumers together with Network staff, we learn about the challenges families and staff encounter and jointly identify solutions. It is such a privilege to be part of this process, to get insights from other consumers, and learn more about what is happening across the Network.

I am always so impressed by the openness and respect shown by families, staff and consumers who participate in FaCC - everyone is friendly and family focussed. Participating in FaCC has also helped me to develop skills and feel connected to a community. I have really enjoyed being involved in the council’s projects that are making a positive impact.”