Consumer Advisors and Advocates
The BEAR is made up of consumer advisors across Australia who have experience in providing input and advice on a number of ministerial committees and working groups. They are also available to partner with local services to co-design programs and facilities, and to develop policies that are person-centred, family-centred and evidence-based.
Our consumer advocates are available to support birthing families who have experienced adverse outcomes during the perinatal period and early parenting. This is a time when new mothers are sometimes especially vulnerable to the emotional aftermath that can follow and require additional support and advocacy to address issues surrounding their care and health outcomes.
Activities
ACM Conference (2020/2021) presentations include:
1st Session: Research findings of pregnant women’s experiences during the Covid-19 lock down.
2nd Session: How evidence-based practice and improved health outcomes can be achieved by utilising consumer-led educational programs.
Contributions
Some examples of how our consumer advisors continue to provide input on committees, working groups and in the community:
Aust Health Research Alliance (AHRA) - Women’s Health Research, Translation & Impact Network
Women’s Hospitals Australasia (WHA) Breakthrough collaborative on 3rd an 4th degree perineal tears
Ipswich Hospital, Qld - Free online workshop advertised, Labour Comfort Measures Workshop
NHMRC National Collaborative Arrangements Committee
WA Translational Health Network
Published Article (Pregnant women during Covid-19) – ACM Journal
ACSQHC Standard Committee – 3rd and 4th Perineal Tears
Co-writer, ACM National Homebirth Policy
Presentation to ABA Qld - Lamaze 6 Health Birth Practices
WA Maternity Advisory Group at Fiona Stanley Hospital.
Co-development of Future Directions for Victorian Maternity Services Policy
Our Networks
To ensure we have access to a broad representation of birthing experiences to inform our work we continue to establish and develop relationships with networks of users and providers of maternity care. We connect with peak representative bodies, local/state/federal governments, health departments, community groups, services and individuals.
We are particularly interested in seeking input from groups who are often silent or underrepresented. If we are to conduct our work through a social equity lens, our focus must be on representing a racially and socially diverse population. No organisation or individual has the ability to represent everyone, but we can work concertedly to ensure our representative base is broad in ethnicity, culture and spirit.
Stakeholder Representatives of The B.E.A.R Program
Western Australia - Lesley Pascuzzi
Lesley Pascuzzi is a native of Scotland, U.K. She attended the Universities of Stirling and Dundee where she earned her BSc and MSc respectively in Psychology and Applied Psychology in Adult Mental Health. During a 5-year career, Lesley worked clinically within the NHS (Scotland) providing diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of mental health problems including addiction, anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress and obsessional compulsive disorders.
Lesley studied to become a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator in 2017 after having had her own children and later became the stakeholder representative of the Lamaze Australia B.E.A.R Program for Western Australia in 2020. She works independently as a childbirth educator and currently serves as a maternity services consumer advocate within South Metro Health Services.
Lesley holds a specialist interest in the area of vulnerability and the psychological aspects of labour and birth. She is married and the mother to three brilliant children Gianluca, Mattia and Juliette who are her greatest achievement.
To contact Lesley: lpascuzzi.thebear@lamazeaustralia.com
Queensland - Katie Allen
Katie Allen Has an interest in health and ensuring people are given the information they need to make the best choices for their well being. She has completed a degree in Population Health and Marketing and gone on to work in community engagement for two breast cancer organisations.
Katie is a Lamaze certified childbirth educator and mother of three children (7, 4.5 and 1) teaching classes in Brisbane, Ipswich and surrounding suburbs.
