PANDA has established the National Consumer Advisory Committee made up of consumer representatives from around Australia who provide consumer, carer and community perspectives in relation to perinatal depression and anxiety to PANDA's Committee of Management.

1. Background

PANDA is the foremost information and peer support service in Australia for women and families living with postnatal and/or antenatal depression (perinatal depression).

PANDA's service delivery, based on a peer support approach, brings together staff and trained volunteers who have experienced or have cared for someone who has experienced perinatal depression.

PANDA's services include the direct provision of a national helpline, web based information services, and support and guidance for Postnatal Depression Support Groups. PANDA is focussed on meeting consumer needs, which provides a firm foundation for the development of policies and procedures within the sector.

2. Objectives of the National Consumer Advisory Committee

Through the establishment of the National Consumer Advisory Committee PANDA wishes to ensure:

• The service is in tune with the needs of the people it assists and that this is reflected in decisions taken about the support and care offered.
• The service is kept up to date with the latest developments in understanding and dealing with the issues surrounding perinatal depression.
• The Committee of Management remains in touch with those delivering the service and those that are developing expertise in the understanding of the issues surrounding perinatal depression.
• The advice to the Committee of Management reflects the principles inherent in the Constitution of the organisation and is effectively heard and acted upon.
• The Committee of Management and staff remain committed to ensuring that advice and insights of the National Consumer Advisory Committee becomes part-and-parcel of the practices in the service and its delivery.

3. National Consumer Advisory Committee Roles and Responsibilities

National Consumer Advisory Committee members’ roles and responsibilities include as follows:

• Identify and advise the Committee of Management on priority areas and emerging issues in the field of perinatal depression
• Assist in bringing the voice of recipients of its service and their carers and families to PANDA's strategic planning and service delivery development
• Make recommendations to the PANDA Committee of Management regarding relevant policies, strategic directions and service development priorities
• Assist the Committee of Management in actively gauging the views and communicating with both recipients of the service and their carers as well as the Health Service community as a whole
• Advise on key performance indicators for service quality, scope and accessibility
• Undertake any projects and activities as may, from time to time, be agreed with the Committee of Management

4. Membership

The selection criteria for membership of the National Consumer Advisory Committee will be agreed by the Committee of Management and membership will be open to:

• Between 8 and 12 members, including no less than two members from the Committee of Management - one of whom will act as Chairperson and the other as Deputy Chairperson to ensure direct representation of the views of the National Consumer Advisory Committee to the Committee of Management
• People who have experienced perinatal depression directly or indirectly through a family member or friend and who are committed to addressing the issues related to perinatal depression, whether they have received assistance from PANDA in the past, or not – this group will comprise at least 50% of the Committee's membership
• Community members including service providers, researchers and people with a demonstrated interest and commitment to dealing with all aspects of depression including, but not limited to, perinatal depression
• Community members from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) individual or organization representatives
• Those selected to the National Consumer Advisory Committee will undergo a process of nomination and acceptance by the Committee of Management. They will need to adhere to a protocol laid down in reference to the roles and responsibilities of the Committee including, but not restricted to the following:
  • Preparedness to participate, listen and contribute with mutual respect for the views and contributions of others.
  • Preparedness to maintain confidentiality about the work of the Committee and the issues discussed.
  • Preparedness to abide by decisions reached through consensus within the committee and, where such consensus cannot be reached, to accept accountability for a minority report to the Committee of Management where appropriate.
  • Preparedness to ascribe the intellectual property rights to PANDA of any service delivery development, approaches to the issue or findings of any surveys, communications or interviews on the issue undertaken by the committee in the course of its activities.
  • Preparedness to attend at least 75% of the scheduled meetings or, failing that, to resign their position. Attendance by phone for whole or part of the scheduled meeting will be open to the agreement of the Chairperson except in the case of interstate members where it will be accepted as due course.
• Individual terms of office will coincide with the appointment of each new Committee of Management of PANDA but will be subject to their appointment being confirmed at the first meeting of that Committee of Management following the Annual General Meeting
• Membership will continue for a period of two years until the corresponding Annual General Meeting for a maximum of three terms
• Positions becoming available during the year shall be filled from a pool of applicants who were unsuccessful during the initial intake.
• The Committee is authorised to recommend anyone to vacancies for confirmation by the Committee of Management at any time

5. Reporting

The Committee of Management member with portfolio as Chairperson will table the minutes, working arrangements and recommendations of the National Consumer Advisory Committee at each Committee of Management meeting for ratification.

6. Meeting Frequency

The National Consumer Advisory Committee will meet quarterly with its sub-committees meeting as determined from time to time in accordance with the work program laid down.

7. Review of Terms of Reference

The Terms of Reference will be reviewed periodically by the PANDA Committee of Management.

8.Application

Contact PANDA for more  information about the National Consumer Advisory Committee.