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Children and young people
Children and young people (CYP) represent a third of our country and their wellbeing will determine our future. Improving their health and wellbeing is a key priority for NHS England.
The NHS Long Term Plan sets out a vision for the future of the NHS and new action in relation to children and young people aged 0-25. To deliver these, a Children and Young People Transformation programme was established, bringing together key partners and programmes responsible for the delivery of our Long Term Plan commitments.
The work of the Children and Young People Transformation programme is supported by the leadership of our National Clinical Director for Children and Young People, Professor Simon Kenny, supported by our national speciality advisor Matthew Clark. Our work is overseen by a Children and Young People Transformation Programme Board, chaired by Louise Shepherd, which brings together partners across health, care and education. The Board membership includes six young board members who ensure the voices of children and young people are represented in our shared decision making.
The Children and Young People’s transformation team is responsible for the following:
Daniel is a member of the Newcastle Hospitals Youth Forum. He is keen to use his lived experience of using services to improve the lives of other children & young people, especially those like himself who are long stay patients in hospitals. He is particularly keen on trying to improve services in all areas of the country, not only for inpatient but outpatient services as well.
Jawad, 16, East of England
Jawad wants to use his personal experiences of Child and Adolescent Mental Health services (CAMHS) to improve access to mental health services for everyone living in the UK and make the referral process quicker and easier. He would also like to support the improvement of healthcare and education for marginalised groups
Abigail, 19, South East (Isle of Wight)
Aspiring clinical psychologist, Abigail Metcalfe, wishes to use her experience as Youth Chair of the Isle of Wight NHS Youth Forum to continue to inspire change and raise the voices of young people. She hopes to specialise in neurodiversity, mental health and post-18 provisions.
Abi is currently studying for a psychology degree with the Open University and has just started her career within the NHS as a Healthcare Assistant in her local hospital. Abi will bring her experiences of the NHS and from her degree course to support her role as a Young Board Member.
Ola, 17, London
Ola is a college student from East London with a passion for young people’s rights in healthcare. From her experiences in both emergency and long-term services, she wants to connect young people from around the country and see the voices and opinions of young people integrated into policy development.
She hopes to start local and national dialogue to advance NHS services, including mental health provisions, continuity of care support and misinformation awareness. Ola hopes this will support the NHS in connecting with all young people in the UK, irrespective of needs or background so that no young person feels their needs aren’t being identified or targeted.
Fintan 16, East of England
Fintan’s inspiration for joining the Children and Young People’s Board comes from his own experience of using health services and the desire to help others who might be in a similar situation. He hopes that his experiences can help make an impact on young people all over the UK. Fintan hopes to study law in the future.
Jocelyn – 15, East of England
Jocelyn’s main motivation for joining the Children & Young People’s Board is to support individuals like her and to enhance the well-being of young people with overlooked conditions nationally.
Having sickle cell anaemia and being a Member of Youth Parliament at her local Youth Council, Jocelyn believes that young people’s views should always be heard across all services, including health, to make a positive impact. She would like to see more promotion of young people’s views across the NHS in order for there to be increased productivity within healthcare services. This can happen through the Children and Young People’s Board.
NHS England also has a youth forum, made up of 25 young people from all over the country, who have a passion for improving health services for young people.