The Australian health care system includes a national organisation representing health care consumers and equivalent organisations in most states and territories. There are several disease-specific patient organisations, as well as formalised networks advocating for greater patient involvement in health technology assessment and research. This signals a system that sees a place for consumer insights: a system that is on a journey of maturing the way in which it seeks to involve consumers in decision-making.
Through this article, patient and consumer leadership is explored by recognising it as the next level of engagement, the deeper value and impact of incorporating the experience of consumers at all levels of the health system, policy decision-making and the opportunity for consumers to become leaders.