Seven applications have been received for four community representative positions on the Otago and Southland district health boards' disability support advisory committee.
Two members will be appointed from each province.
Committee chairman Neville Cook said he had thought there might be more interest.
Dunedin and districts Disabled Persons Assembly chairwoman Patsy Wakefield, a former member of the Otago advisory committee, in a letter to the committee, expressed concern that representatives might be restricted from acting in an advocacy role.
The DPA did not see any difference between community representation and advocacy.
She also asked for an undertaking board management would actively take an interest in addressing disability issues as this had frustrated previous consumer representatives.
Mr Cook said committee members were required to consider and represent the needs of their entire community in their deliberations and recommendations.
The function of the committee was largely related to the provision of services to the elderly as that was where funding had been devolved to boards and where advice needed to be provided.
A subcommittee comprising Mr Cook, and committee members Helen Algar, Dot Wilson and Peter Barron was appointed to consider the applications.
