There are two new consumer representatives for the Whanganui District Health Board's Clinical Governance Board.
Former midwife and retired professor for the Ministry of Health in Oman, Gill White, is joined by Whanganui Women's Network manager Carla Donson in the position.
"While WDHB, MidCentral DHB and Whanganui Regional Health Network employees bring huge value to the table, the two consumer reps have a special place in supporting the organisation's patient and whanau-centred approach," board chairwoman Kim Fry said.
"The community viewpoint that Carla and Gill will bring to the clinical board cannot be underestimated. When appropriate, they can take key messages from the board to the community and then feed back how they believe the community will view the direction we are considering," Ms Fry said.
"Essentially, their role is to ensure we remain in touch with the community we serve."
The board received 14 "very strong" applications for the positions.
Dr White said she felt "very privileged" to bring a consumer perspective to the decision-making of the clinical board. Ms Donson said she was excited to be working "at this level of representation for the WDHB".
She also works as a consumer and community rep for the local Maternity Quality and Safety Programme and the national Maternity Consumer Advisory Group.
"I genuinely believe our community and the health sector have to work in partnership to determine and shape how our health services are delivered."