Children and young people should be more involved in NHS decision making, NHS England has announced.
Earlier this year the government pledged that children, young people and their families would be “at the heart of decision making”.
Children and young people should be more involved in NHS decision making, NHS England has announced.
Earlier this year the government pledged that children, young people and their families would be “at the heart of decision making”.
However, a recent report published by NHS England children’s commissioner Dr Maggie Atkinson stated: “We found no coherent national programme of activity to proactively encourage local bodies to include children and young people in strategic health service commissioning or other vital decision making about NHS provision.”
In fact, only 28% of 102 local health plans make reference to children and young people’s participation in their development, or aimed to evaluate whether practice matched their aspirations.
Over the coming months proposals will be developed in partnership with the British Youth Council, National Children’s Bureau and National Council for Voluntary Youth Services.
At the UK Youth Parliament, Olivia Butterworth, NHS England head of public voice said: “[This has] fuelled up our commitment for how we at NHS England need to establish of robust mechanisms and approaches to engage young people in all aspects of our work – commissioning services, policy and strategy development and leading the NHS system in partnership with CCGs.
“Friday 22nd November is Children’s Takeover Day which gives children and young people the chance to work with adults for the day and be involved in decision-making. Children benefit from the opportunity to experience the world of work and make their voices heard, while adults and organisations gain a fresh perspective on what they do.”
Information on Children’s Takeover Day is available on the Children’s Commissioner website. http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/takeover_day
