Co-design and consumer engagement

What is co-design?

Co-design is when consumers and health professionals come together to build a shared understanding of an issue and work together to create solutions.

Co-design involves people who have dealt with the issue, so the solutions they create are underpinned by real experiences.

Some of the key principles of co-design are:

• Equal partnership: everyone has equal power, decision-making and voice in the process.
• Respect and understanding: everyone acknowledges and values the diversity of views and experiences of others and are open to new ideas and thinking.
• Transparency: everyone clearly understands the process and their roles and have a shared goal.
• Representation and diversity: the diversity of consumers, carers, and health professionals are considered.
• Accessibility and inclusiveness: the co-design environment and approach provides choice and flexibility for everyone so people feel safe and comfortable contributing.
   

Why is co-design important?

Co-design puts consumers at the centre of the design process, allowing for a greater understanding of their needs and perspectives.

When the perspectives of consumers are considered, it allows for services to better meet the needs of consumers. 

View our fact sheet on co-design engagement with consumers
 

How we are helping health professionals in co-design

We have collated resources to help health professionals introduce, explain and perform effective co-design with consumers.

These resources include tools, templates, case studies and practical guidance. 

To give everyone the specific help they need, the resources are categorised by:

• Overview of co-design: summarising co-design and its processes, which can be especially helpful for those new to the co-design process.
• Co-design guidance: extensive information and guidance on each stage of the co-design process, including templates and tools that can be used during the process. 

Overview of co-design

• Co-design toolkit by Volunteering Tasmania. Guidance on co-design in the volunteering space.
• Online co-design toolkit by Health Design Studio. A high-level overview of co-design, including an introduction, principles, guidance on online co-design including a co-design checklist, guide and info cards.
• Guide to co-design with people living with disability by Purple Orange. A summary of co-design on engaging with people with disabilities with detailed information around the co-design process.
• How to co-design with young Victorians by VicHealth. Guidance about co-design with young people which includes a video, examples and case studies.
• Mind’s participation and co-design practice framework by Mind Australia Limited. A framework for co-design that explores opportunities in governance, service design, service delivery, organisational systems and operations, and advocacy. 

Co-design guidance

• A guide to build co-design capability by Agency for Clinical Innovation, NSW Health. An overview of co-design, and specific guidance for target audiences, including people with lived experience, health service staff and managers.
• Co-design toolkit by Agency for Clinical Innovation, NSW Health. Defines co-design and provides detailed guidance on the process tailored to healthcare settings and includes guidance on working with First Nations communities.
• MRID CodesignKit by Metro Region Intellectual Disability Network. Information on the co-design process that includes guidance on the complex health needs of people living with disability and case studies.
• Co-design in Metro North Health by Metro North Health. Guidance on the co-design process, including on conducting co-design with First Nations peoples.