About this episode
Today, we are talking about health care and support for children and young people, so of course it is vital to hear from that age group. I‘m delighted to welcome Aishah Farooq, a young person who is using her lived experience of healthcare services to bring change at national level.Aishah talks about her journey to become a national advocate for children and young people, and why this matters.Aishah is also a student at the University of Bristol … where I studied many years ago!I spotted Aishah and connected with her through the fabulous work she is doing, working with the NHS in many capacities around listening to children and young people and finding out what matters to them.Aishah was recently appointed as a board member on the children and young people transformation programme at NHS England.Lemon lightbulbs ???If we are talking about services for children and young people, we need to hear from children and young people! Coproduction matters!There are tools to help - eg The 15 steps challenge … and Whose Shoes!Young people’s needs are differentDon’t be tokenistic. Listen to children and young people’s ideas and suggestions first - before you open the floor to othersEngaging with children and young people in a meaningful way, like everyone else, shapes how they feel about staying involved. Children and young people find it very rewarding to see their suggestions for healthcare improvements being valued and implemented and to feel that they are helping young people of the futureIt is powerful to hear directly from young people - you feel you want to change things -eg health inequalitiesIt is exciting to work alongside passionate people. They inspire you to believe that your contribution is valuable and to get more involvedIt is very fortunate to meet inspirational people early in your career! They listen, believe in you, and inspire you to take the next stepsChildren and young people make up one third of the population – their voices should not be ‘seldom heard. They bring a different perspective.When clinicians say, “I never considered that before” …that is a proper lemon lightbulb moment. It will change their practice!Truly listen to children and young people. Even if you can’t have a bouncy castle in every outpatient department, they will have ideas and suggestions you have never thought of!Many examples of personalising care for children. are very simple and just take imagination, rather than money.Good to see the key themes and ideas of the podcast series weaving together.The National Asthma Care Bundle. What it is and why it will make a difference.Schools need good training to support children with asthma.and other long-term conditions ResourcesNICE guideline - bab
