Community-Led Discussions
At Health Consumers Queensland, we are committed to ensuring the voices of all consumers of the health system are heard to help shape the future of healthcare in communities across the state.
Community-led Discussions (CLDs) bring people together to discuss and share their views on topics important in our society. They enable decision-makers to hear the voices of health consumers and carers who may not normally participate in formal consultations or feel they have a say in healthcare policy, decision-making and design.
The goal of the CLD is to have constructive conversations about a health topic and explore diverse perspectives, share insights, and provide recommendations for changes in the health system.
In 2024, we began using the term Community-Led Discussions to acknowledge that community leaders and consumers meet in different places and in different ways including in-person and online.
For First Nations consumers, for example, CLDs can include Yarning Circles and other cultural practises and Health Consumers Queensland supports community hosts in facilitation.
Strengths
- Consumers lead the consultation not consultants or staff
- Hear directly from the community and in particular, opportunity to hear from those who do not normally participate in health consultation
- Enables access to a broad and diverse cross-section of community
- Consumers feel their voice is heard, and their views valued once feedback loop is closed
- Alleviates consultation overload on consumers
- Allows for impartial discussion and feedback
- Participants and hosts enjoy the process and constantly ask for more of this type of consultation
- Provides valuable stories and comments as part of participant feedback
- Can increase consumer knowledge and awareness of services, as well as supporting their health literacy.
The power of Community-Led Discussions is that they are facilitated by consumers, giving the consumer host the opportunity to lead consultation within their own community in a safe, friendly and supportive environment. Health service staff and consultants are not in attendance which allows community to speak openly.
Community-Led Discussions also enable individuals and small groups to participate at a time of day, and in a venue that suits them. The host decides the venue, the date and time.
I’ve also heard through the small town feedback loop that the ladies who met for the discussion about end of life [… ] are still talking about how meaningful that experience was for them. What a wonderful experience it was for us all!
I wanted to let you know that the attendees thought this was the best and most enjoyable session we have had. We had tears and enjoyable conversation but all present thought it was very good and together we all said “let this lead to change”
The session this morning was wonderful! It’s so exciting to be engaged in something so meaningful and timely. Many thanks to you for your excellent support!!!
How we can support you
We can help you use Community-Led Discussion methodology in your organisation.
Health Consumers Queensland is available to design and deliver Community-Led Discussion (CLD) projects for health-related organisations in Queensland and nationally. We provide consultation and services in all aspects of the CLD process including:
- Full project management
- Host toolkit preparation (including support in writing discussion questions and host briefing paper)
- Training, mentoring and support for consumer hosts
- Outcomes data analysis and report writing
- Remuneration and reimbursement of hosts and participants
Please contact us to discuss your needs. Phone: 07 3012 9090 or email info@hcq.org.au