The Consumer Advisory Group (CAG) provides strategic advice on health matters and health and medical research matters from a consumer perspective.
The NHMRC-MRFF Consumer Advisory Group will advise the NHMRC and NHMRC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and/or the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board (AMRAB) and CEO of the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care’s Health and Medical Research Office (HMRO) on:
- Strategies to strengthen and promote consumer and community involvement in health and medical research in Australia
- Significant issues of relevance to the Australian community and consumers of health care, including strategies and priorities for health and medical research
- Opportunities for consumer and community involvement in NHMRC and HMRO activities, including (but not limited to) grant administration processes
- Any other matter referred to it by the NHMRC CEO and/or HMRO CEO.
Membership
The joint National Health and Medical Research (NHMRC)-Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Consumer Advisory Group is established as a working committee under Section 39 of the NHMRC Act 1992. The committee members for the 2024-2027 triennium are below.
Committee members
Chair,
Ms
Ainslie
Cahill
AM
Co-chair of the Health Systems Research Theme Executive Committee in the Faculty of Medicine & Health, UNSW
Ms Ainslie Cahill AM is a Consumer Lead – Monash Partners Academic Health Science Centre, an NHMRC-accredited partnership of 12 leading health service, teaching, and research organisations in Melbourne. She is a respected member of the Australian health community with a broad, non-partisan consumer network, including national and state peak bodies and local community groups. Ms Cahill is known for her inclusive and collaborative approach, focusing on equity and better health outcomes for all.
Current board/advisory positions include Chair, NHMRC-MRFF Interim Consumer Advisory Network, NHMRC Community Observers Working Committee, Department of Health and Aged Care Natural Therapies Review expert advisory panel, Co-Chair, University of NSW Health Systems Research Executive Committee, Consumer Advisor, UNSW-Cancer Council NSW Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship and Australian Health Research Alliance Consumer and Community Advisory Group.
Ms Cahill led Arthritis Australia for 12 years, significantly expanding its reach and services. In 2018, she was made an Honorary Life Member for her outstanding contributions. She also served as Director of the Consumers Health Forum of Australia board. In 2020, Ainslie was appointed a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia for her significant service to people with arthritis and community health groups.
Ms
Cheryl
Bridge
Head of Kulunga Aboriginal Unit, The Kids
Mr
Peter
Button
Community and consumer representative & Co-Chair, QIMR Berghofer Community Advisory Group (CAG)
Ms
Merryn
Carter
Consumer advocate, WEHI Breast Cancer Laboratory
Ms
Christine
Edwards
Board member, Centre for Eye Research Australia
Mrs
Imelda
Gilmore
Consumer advisor, Australian Digital Health Agency
Dr
Yvonne
Ho
AM
Health consumer representative, and Senior Medical Adviser, Therapeutic Goods Administration
Mr
Adam
Johnston
Community and consumer representative, NSW
Mr
Harry
Iles-Mann
Health Consumer Leader & Digital Health Advisor, Australian Digital Health Agency
Ms
Debra
Langridge
Head of the CCI Program, Western Australian Health Translation Network
Mrs
Lillian
Leigh
Advocacy Chair and a Board member, Thoracic Oncology Group of Australasia
Dr
Jeanette
Pritchard
Chief Executive Officer, Passe & Williams Foundation
Dr
Supriya
Mathew
Senior Research Fellow, Menzies School of Health Research
Ms
Anne
McKenzie
AM
Health consumer advocate & project manager of the Raine Study, University of Western Australia
Dr
Shyam
Muthuramalingam
Manager of Consumer Engagement, SA Health
Dr
Jack
Nunn
Founder and Director, ‘Science for All’ Charity
Mr
Jonathan
Ward
Committee member, Australian Research Management Society and Senior Advisor, Research Management at the University of Canberra