Eighth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

Chronic complex diseases, population ageing and the rise of healthcare expenditure are wicket challenges that stress the need for reform in the health services provision. The coordination and integration of care alongside with a patient-centred care are amply present in the health policy discourse but often overlooked in health service management and delivery. Stakeholders’ engagement and consumers’ committees are strategies meant to convene with these complexities by integrating a diverse range of experiences, but how representative are their views, and how influential they can be in health provision reform? This paper draws on a qualitative research conducted among various Clinical and Health Networks, devoted to policy development in the Western Australian Department of Health. It looked into the stakeholder engagement strategies and a distinct level of participation by its members. The study concluded the effectiveness of the Networks policy outcomes is influenced by the quality and extent of engagement processes with key stakeholders; especially decision makers and service providers responsible for the implementation of policy, clinicians, and the ultimate users of services (consumers and carers). Effective stakeholder engagement leads to greater “buy-in” from consumers, carers, clinicians and others parties involved in health service delivery. It enables access to expertise and knowledge during policy development processes. Stakeholder disinterest in externally determined priorities can lead to a low level of involvement, collaboration, dissemination, and implementation. The authors suggest recommendations to improve stakeholders’ engagement and policy effectiveness.