Consumer Engagement Framework (CEF) Project

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Consumer Engagement Framework (CEF) Project

Monday 7 October 2024

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The RANZCOG Consumer Engagement Framework (CEF) will establish the foundations and guiding principles of the College’s engagement with community. The CEF will promote engagement that is strategic, coordinated, measurable, and influential. It will also reflect contemporary and evolving good practices in consumer participation and encourages consumer-initiated engagement with the College.

Summary of Key Recommendations

Defining the consumer voice

Reframing consumer voice by using the umbrella term ‘community member’ helps to accurately capture the role of healthcare consumers with lived experience, as well as those community members whose professional or non-clinical expertise is relevant to the College. Using an umbrella term also allows for flexibility in the perspectives and expertise that representatives can bring to their roles.

Remuneration structure

Proper recognition of intellectual property has been proven to empower those engaging with the College and shows community members that the College appreciates dedication to our collective mission.

The College will continue to align the community member remuneration structure with the Australian Government Remuneration Tribunal, but will update the existing Consumer, Community and Other External Representatives Policy for improved readability by providing clarity of remuneration categories and context for when community members should invoice for work.

Governance model

The College has established a new and improved governance model that will centralise the administration of community member involvement with the College, which aims to streamline processes, strengthen relationships, coordinate engagement efforts, and improve the consistency and dependability of our collective goals.

The new governance model is expected to be implemented across the next 12-months, with opportunities for feedback, to ensure that all expected requirements are being met. The roll-out will involve:

Unifying the process for advertising community member roles to maintain consistency
Establishing a Community Voice Resource Group (CVRG) that is inclusive of all community members
Appointing a Steering Group to oversee the CVRG’s governance, reporting, information, and support processes
The implementation of a capability matrix to help match community voices with committee needs
Two (2) Community Fora per year to improve knowledge and information sharing
One (1) in-person networking event per Council Term to facilitate the strengthening of relationships
A breakdown of engagement opportunities to promote flexibility of the community member’s role

Operational functions

The Consumer Framework Working Party (CFWP) was first established to review existing consumer engagement at the College and to provide recommendations for establishing a Consumer Engagement Framework (CEF). Following the success of the CFWP’s CEF report to Board, the CFWP is now responsible for implementing the key recommendations over the next 12-month period.

The CFWP members are: