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HUTT HOSPITAL

Consumer Council at Hutt Valley DHB


Hutt Valley DHB Consumer Council

The Hutt Valley District Health Board created its first Consumer Council in 2019. It is a group of people with diverse experiences, backgrounds and knowledge to give advice to our Board and leadership team. This council’s is to make sure our patients, whānau and communities have a strong voice in planning, designing, and delivering great services across the Hutt Valley.

The council is comprised of people who:

  • are passionate about improving our health services to be focused on the needs of patients and whānau;

  • have experience of Hutt Valley health services;

  • can voice what’s important to them when using health services;

  • can bring their experience as part of a wider group, such as an ethnic or cultural group or a health support group.

The Consumer Council’s collective process is able to provide the DHB with a shared-view consumer representative response.


Consumer Council: Draft Terms of Reference - click here

The terms of reference specifically exclude the Council from:

  • clinical evaluations of health services
  • discussion or review of issues that should be handled as formal complaints
  • involvement in Hutt Valley DHB contracting processes

The Consumer Council:

  • supports Hutt Valley DHB provide health services that achieve the best outcomes for our people;
  • recognises that service delivery needs to change to meet the needs of the growing and changing needs within our community;
  • is committed to the people who use the services having confidence that their needs will be met;
  • provides an advocating role to Hutt Valley DHB planning and services from the perspective of the most vulnerable people in our community – people who need to access the services of Hutt Valley DHB

The Consumer council’s role is evolving as the Hutt Valley DHB evolves its services to improve access to health services in our community.

The Consumer Council is working to:

  • progress Hutt Valley DHB’s planned work through undertaking focused in-depth work to advance the consumer perspective, and
  • provide a ready response to Hutt Valley DHB’s evolving service improvements that require consumer perspective on changes

You can contact the Consumer Council by email: Consumercouncil@huttvalleydhb.org.nz

Hutt Valley DHB Consumer Council members

  • Prabha Ravi Chairperson

    I am committed to helping public & not for profit sector organisations and private businesses grow to its full potential through best practice governance. In the past 15 years, I have provided a sustainable long-term vision and strategic direction to the boards I have served providing clarity to the management team to execute them effectively. I have strong interest in community development and engagement. My current voluntary board roles are listed below:

    • Chair- Hutt Valley District Health Board, Consumer Council- Since July 2018
    • Director- Cricket Wellington Board- Since September 2018
    • Executive Committee Member- Women on Boards- Since June 2018
    • Hutt City Council Community Panel Central Ward, second term- Since Aug- 2020
    • Business Advisory group panel member-Aotearoa Kapa Haka Limited- Since Feb 2020
    • Trustee- Hutt Community Radio & Audio Archives Charitable Trust- Since Apr 2020
    • Board Member- BATS Theatre, Since Nov 2020
    • Board Member- Wellington Hockey, Since Nov 2020

  • Kamal Chandra

    Kamal Chandra- By trade Mechanical Engineer.
    Board member of Hutt Union & Community Health Centre.
    Representing Hutt South, South East Communities.
    Consumer Advisory Councillor with HVDHB since 2019

  • Heather Cotter

    Heather Cotter is a Breastfeeding Educator and has worked training Health Professionals and Community Workers in breastfeeding education for the past 14 years. She has held a number of breastfeeding education and advisory contracts for DHB’s and Public Health Units. She was instrumental in establishing both the Hutt Valley and Wellington Breastfeeding Networks.

    Previous to having children Heather worked in the education sector lecturing in Early Childhood Education. She lives in the Hutt Valley and is married with 2 adult children.

  • Michelle McIntyre

    I currently have the privilege of working with IHC - IDEA Services as the Central Regional Manager overseeing Taranaki, Wanganui, Palmerston North /Manawatu, Wairarapa, Kapiti, Wellington and the Hutt Valley.

    Disability is always close to my heart and personal experience within my own family has been a constant driving force to learn, support and be involved to make a difference.

    Being part of the Hutt Valley Consumer Council allows me to work alongside others to advocate for the people and be part of creating and building change.

    He aha te mea nui o te ao. He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata - What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.

  • Paul Gruschow

    I have spent most of my life living and working in the Hutt Valley. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2007 and was forced to give up full-time work. I am very interested in the health and wellness of our people I also help to improve the lives of those living with illness and disabilities.

  • Judah Seomeng

    Qualifications: BA Hons – Ethnomusicology and MA – Cultural Anthropology
    Research Interest – The Intersectionality of Health and Migration
    Master of Arts Thesis: The Role of Health and Health Services in Social and Cultural Integration of Ethnic Minority African Migrants: The Case of the Luo Community of Wellington

  • Patria Tamaka

    Ko Waikato, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Maru, me Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa oku iwi, tēna koutou kātoa

    Advisor | Facilitator | Kaiwhakaruruhau Ā Whānau, Hapū, Iwi | Bachelor of Social Work. Background in Community Development and Social Work, involved in other community groups and activities with good governance knowledge and experience.
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