07 July 2005

Details of Community Consultation on Proposed Lawson Street Community Health Facility

 We have now received details of the consultation to be conducted regarding the proposed Lawson Street Health Centre. We have reproduced the details we have been given below and also put these up on the REDWatch website at http://www.redwatch.org.au/links/Lawson%20St%20Consultation.pdf . General information about the proposed Health Facility can be found on the following web sites: www.redwatch.org.au and www.redalert.net.au .

We encourage all those with views about the proposed centre, its proposed location or with views about the need for local services for injecting drug users and where they should be located to contact the consultants and have your say. Now is the time to make your suggestions and comments to the consultants by emailing rwconsultation@themillergroup.com.au or telephoning 0421 329 924.

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION - REDFERN COMMUNITY HEALTH FACILITY

During the month of July the Miller Group will be conducting consultations in Redfern to provide an opportunity for:

•          Local residents
•          Local community organisations
•          Interested government and non-government agencies
•          Service users and their families

 to make known  their views about the Redfern Community Health Facility.

Consultations will be held between 11^th -  29^th July and will include:

1.      Interviews with interested organisations such as:

•          Local community organisations
•          Interested government and non-government agencies 

 
2.      Focus Groups

A number of focus groups of 6-8 people will be held for approximately two hours each at the following locations:

•          Redfern Town Hall
•          Redfern Community Centre

Focus groups will be held during working hours, in the evening and on weekends to enable all who wish to participate to do so.

3.      Open Day

For those community members who have not been able to attend focus groups the  consultants will be available Saturday 16^th July from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm at Redfern Town Hall to:

•          Listen to community members' views
•          Answer questions about the consultation

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REGISTERFOR ONE OF THE FOCUS GROUPS PLEASE CONTACT THE MILLER GROUP AT EITHER:

rwconsultation@themillergroup.com.au

OR

0421 329924

Redfern Town Hall on Pitt St

FOCUSGROUP TIMES

Monday July 11: 10-12am;2.30-4.30pm; 6.30-8.30pm
Tuesday July 12: 2.30-4.30pm;6.30-8.30pm
Thursday July 14: 6-8 pm
Friday July 15:6-8pm

OPENDAY
Saturday July 16: from10-4pm

^{NB: Focus group sessions run for 2 hours and are for more in depth discussions.}

^{The OPEN DAY is a �drop in day� for briefer discussions with consultants.}

CONSULTATION TERMS OF REFERENCE

Aim

To undertake a community consultation to:

• Identify and record community and stakeholder perceptions regarding the proposed health services;
• Identify if there are alternative locations for the establishment of the health care facility which will allow the Area Health Service to continue to meet its statutory public health responsibilities;
• provide an independent assessment of community and stakeholder views regarding key issues related to the establishment of a primary health care facility in Lawson Street.

CONSULTATION PRINCIPLES

1.      The consultation is open to all interested stakeholders and community members;

2.      The consultation process will be transparent, open and inclusive;

3.      The consultant's report will be independent. It will not be unfairly influenced by the needs or vested interests of any particular stakeholder;

4.      Confidential information will be fully respected;

5.      The consultants will respond to input regarding the:

• location of the proposed health facility;
• services to be provided by the proposed facility;  and,
• consultation process.