Valuing the Voices of Young People Walter Tann Divisional Lead Nurse, Quality & Patient Experience.

What do all these things have in common?

Who is this?

What did these guys do?

Would you do what these two did?

What was the significance of this date? 18 th September 2014

370 beds (potential) 271 beds (commissioned) 8 dedicated Neonatal/Paediatric theatres (plus 4 shelled theatres) 41,511 patient episodes 61,000 A&E attendances 120,000 Outpatient attendances Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital

In the beginning ……. There was nothing.

Established November 2002 In response to Youth Engagement Structure within the then Manchester Children’s Hospitals. Members where consulted on various projects both corporately and from individual wards and departments. Run by members – Chair, minute takers. Senior staff attend to support and held to account. Background

Over 64 members 11-21yrs of age. Monthly meeting 5-7pm. Average meeting attendance 20. A growing portfolio of activities and projects now covering most aspects of healthcare. Youth Ambassador – available for consultation on any issue. Youth Governor created as part of Foundation status. Youth Forum Today

Who is best placed to tell us what it feels like to be a child or young person in hospital ? Provide a voice for young peoples’ thoughts on health issues and services provided within the hospital. Influence Trust Policy and procedure. Create meaningful links with decision makers both in the Trust and in local health service provision. Act as a conduit for feedback from other young people. Function of Youth Forum

Influenced the design of old RMCH OPD. Full consultation of new RMCH – design, configuration, services Influenced numerous art projects. Involvement in public consultations and awareness events. Presentations at Grand Round. Involvement in Transition projects. Consulted on re: mobile phone policy. Consolation with Professional bodies to develop patient and young peoples engagement strategies – RCPCH, GMFS. Influenced trust website. Participated in numerous service specific workshops. Annual meeting with CEO and Chair. Participation in the creation of the Trust’s Vision document “Children & Young People’s Nursing : Vision into Reality”. Youth Forum - Projects

Participation in the National Youth forum through RCPCH. Full participation in the Greater Manchester Healthier Together Consultations. Overwhelming desire to engage with service users and clinical staff on a regular basis. Could the Youth Forum become fully embedded within clinical teams to support service design, delivery and monitoring of outcomes? Direct link to Ward Managers, Matrons, Lead Nurses – Buddy System. Direct link to patients. Development of a Work Plan linked to key issues – nutrition, information, discharge, infection control, communication. Youth Forum – 2014 & beyond (part 1)

Priorities and Collaborative Working Proposal 2013/14 Infection Control Engage the support of children and young people in the dissemination and monitoring of infection control practices. Matron V YF Member o Hand washing o Basic hygiene standards o Cleaning o Bare Below the Elbow. Suggested Matron activities o Participation in Divisional Infection control meetings o Observational audits o Service user feedback o Specific initiatives – standards for bedsides, dress code, hand hygiene. o Place assessments Youth Forum Activities  Life size hand washing posters with YP.  Design of literature.  Undertake an infection control project including: ward rounds to challenge staff who do not comply with policy / best practice, participate in PLACE assessments and contribute to ward accreditations. For discussion and agreement by Youth Forum What do you need to be assured that we have achieved what we wanted to and changed what we wanted to change: Information, reports, visits, and inspections? Strategy InitiativeMatron Buddy Youth Forum Link IssuesActivitiesMeasures (how do we know we have achieved our goal) Youth Forum – 2014 & beyond (part 1)

Full participation in PLACE assessments. Participation in the Trusts Ward Accreditation scheme. Sit on the Trust’s Children & Young People’s Standards Steering Committee. Contribute in the hospital’s CE Committee. Attend Transition Steering Group meetings. Creation and implementation of the Youth Forum’s 15 Steps Challenge. Youth Forum – 2014 & beyond (part 2)

ObservationsRecommendations/suggestions  Not acknowledged by any nurses when went into the ward, patients or visitors, wouldn’t have known where to go or what to do. No obvious information about visiting times. More welcoming by having decorations hanging from the ceiling. Lots of colourful posters of characters like Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog in the playroom  P ut more children’s' character posters around the ward instead of just in the playroom. Welcoming & Ward first Impression Youth Forum – 15 Steps Challenge

Caring and involvement Observations Recommendations/suggestions Good communication between patients and staff, very positive feedback from family. Mum felt completely involved in her baby’s care and had received lots of information about every aspect of a child‘s care. Friendly staff, team work present in the ward. No recommendations/Suggestions Youth Forum – 15 Steps Challenge

RMCH Youth Forum has had continuous success over 12 years. A fantastic journey of discovery in partnership with young people. True commitment and curiosity from all professionals. Passion and dedication on the part of the members to see real change. Members have been a vital pillar to the foundation of our Trust. RMCH & CMFT are extremely proud of all of it’s Youth Forum Members Privilege to see members grow into adulthood and move onto new ventures. Youth Forum – Summary

“Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision merely passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.” And Finally……