We are privileged to work alongside advisory groups whose members generously share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. These groups partner with our research team to help design and shape research that aims to support the way hospitals care for children and their families.
Together, we are co-creating research to better understand how healthcare experiences can feel safe, supportive, and empowering for children and families. Our goal is to identify ways to reduce stress and potential trauma during hospital visits and stays, while supporting the wellbeing of children, young people, and their families.
Our three advisory groups include:
Youth Consumer Advisory Group
Eight young people aged 12–24 years who have received care at a WA hospital within the past five years.
Parent and Carer Consumer Advisory Group
Twelve parents and carers whose children have attended a WA hospital within the past five years.
WA Paediatric Hospital Staff Advisory Group
Eighteen hospital staff members who work with children and families across a wide range of departments, professions, and clinical and non-clinical roles.
Learn about some of our members below
I joined this advisory group to help improve hospital experiences for children, young people and their families by sharing my lived experience as a parent carer. I am passionate about ensuring that research and health services are informed by the voices of consumers and carers, particularly those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, to create more inclusive, compassionate and person-centred care.
M.A., Parent Advisory Group
I joined this advisory group because PCH in hospital, HITH, outpatient and KKIND has been a big part of my sons life in the past 6 months. I wanted to contribute the lived experience from a parent carer and work together as a team to reduce distress for our child in what can be challenging times for my son and also our whole family.
Tracey J. C., Parent Advisory Group
I am a dual paediatric specialist (General Paediatrics/Community Child Health) and clinical researcher with broader interests in marginalised and underserved paediatric populations. I am driven to seek improvements in substantive equity, inclusivity and culturally responsive care delivery within health settings, and promoting ways to improve health accessibility and experiences for children and families.
Clinical Assoc. Professor Sarah Cherian
Having been a part of the Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) for the past 20 years, I have seen first-hand the impact that hospital experiences have on patient and family welfare, and see this an amazing collaborative opportunity to better understand and improve the way care is delivered. I feel my experience in consumer engagement, safety and quality and research and evaluation in paediatric health will be beneficial for the groups’ objectives and feel privileged to be part of this very important work.
Matthew Holmes, WA Paediatric Hospital Staff Advisory Group
I joined the Trauma‑Informed Care and Hospital Experiences Advisory Group to help strengthen awareness of trauma‑informed practices and promote compassionate, inclusive approaches to healthcare.
Shaun Robinson, WA Paediatric Hospital Staff Advisory Group