Consumer and Community Involvement
MACH is committed to ensuring the consumer voice is heard and incorporated into the development of health and medical research in Australia.
In line with the National Health and Medical Research Council's statement on consumer and community involvement, we are currently encouraging and building capacity in consumer participation in a number of ways:
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Through our work with other research translation centres who, along with MACH, form the Australian Health Research Alliance (AHRA). As an Alliance, we are running a four-part national project which aims to increase Consumer and Community Involvement (CCI) capacity and inclusion across our partners.
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By teaming with the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) on a Consumer Engagement in Research Community of Practice, which supports consumer engagement managers and other professionals at MACH hospitals and research institutes.
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By ensuring consumer representation to MACH Themes and Networks - so patients and carers are speaking directly to those who research and treat their disease.
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Through training opportunities for MACH partners in consumer and community involvement.

Resources
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
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NHMRC Statement on consumer and community involvement in health and medical research VIEW
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NHMRC consumer and community involvement main page - includes downloadable 2020 Toolkit
Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC)
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Model of Consumer Engagement (at right or download)
Australian Resources
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Consumer and Community Health Research Network (Western Australia) - publications page
International Organisations
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SPOR (Canada)

For more information on MACH's Consumer and Community Involvement Activities, please contact the MACH office at: