Consumer rep named Volunteer of the Year

December 2020

Concord Hospital consumer representative, Dr Alan McPhail has been named the District’s Volunteer of the Year

When Dr Alan McPhail first started volunteering at Concord Hospital in 2012, his role was to drive the courtesy cart.

More than eight years later, he is an integral member of the hospital's consumer network – and at this year’s Annual General Meeting, was recognised for his outstanding contribution to Sydney Local Health District as volunteer of the year.

“My wife, Diane, and I had discussed volunteering before we retired. I thought it would be interesting to volunteer as a community representative and it has far exceeded my expectations. My interest has grown, I have learnt a lot and now understand much more about the services, research, some of the challenges and the good work done in our District,” said Dr McPhail.

Advocating for community participation in healthcare, he gives his time, expertise and ideas to a number of peak committees across the District. He has been involved in the strategic planning, accreditation process, research working groups, disability and access planning as well as consumer advisory groups for the Concord Redevelopment.

Alan has a particular interest in research and is currently the co-chair of the District’s Patient and Family Centred Care Research Working Group and was one of the team of authors from the working group whose article “Engaging Consumers in Health Research” was published in the peer-reviewed Australian Health Review.

Alan is known for his positive attitude, dedication and commitment to his volunteer roles and is a valued member of the hospital’s consumer network.

Other community members recognised with Highly Commended Awards in this category were Kasi Capritsis from Canterbury Hospital and Alan Swan from Concord Hospital.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of our consumers and volunteers for their contribution to our health district.