The study found that just 28 per cent of local health plans referenced children and young people’s participation.
It also found that even when children were consulted they were often asked to give views on decisions that had already been taken.
“Patient involvement in planning services is core to the government’s health reforms but when it comes to including the public in decision making, children’s views are all too often overlooked or disregarded,” said children’s commissioner Maggie Atkinson.
She said that the new health service structure that starts on 1 April provides an opportunity to remedy the situation.
“There is a real opportunity to embed, strengthen and promote the participation of children and young people in decision making throughout the health system,” she said.
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