Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this paper is to describe the fundamental components of a system to ensure consumer participation in mental health service evaluation and quality improvement.
Conclusions: The seven fundamental components identified provide the basis for a system to deliver national indicators for consumer participation in quality improvement under the National Health Performance domain of “responsiveness to consumers”. The MH-CoPES Framework satisfies these criteria and may be drawn upon as the basis for developing local systems for consumer participation in quality improvement within mental health services.
DISCLOSURE
This project was funded by the NSW Department of Health. Note: the NSW Consumer Advisory Group - Mental Health Inc. (NSW CAG) has received further funding to work with Area Health Services (known now as Local Health Districts) throughout NSW as well as NSW Health to develop local and statewide implementation plans for the MH-CoPES Framework. NSW CAG may receive further funding if they are to play a role in the ongoing implementation of the Framework. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.