Health Consumer Leader, NSW; Australia

Laila became an accidental advocate for her father during his decade-long battle with severe illness and witnessing the impact of the health system response. Tortured with a rapidly failing body, and losing his ability to speak, Laila took on her father’s voice as illness took his. In the 10 years since, her goal has been to enhance healthcare service delivery by integrating lived experience knowledge and expertise. She actively writes, presents, and collaborates with health systems, clinicians and service users to facilitate and empower patient and family partnerships across healthcare services and settings. Laila serves as a Board Member of the Clinical Excellence Commission, Chairs multiple consumer groups, works as a Consumer Advisor to Sydney Local Health District, and is an Honorary Associate with Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, School of Public Health at The University of Sydney