Young people to shape NHS services

The sites were selected to develop patient-centred outcome measures for children and young people. These involve consulting with young people who use NHS services as well as their families to help local health providers better measure the effectiveness of their care and to design services.

Tim Kelsey, NHS England’s national director for patients and information, said: “This is all about asking young patients what is most important to them. The NHS wants to pioneer new approaches to measuring quality in health care, and putting patient and carer voice at the centre of this is key.

“I am delighted we are able to support seven organisations across England to work with patients to understand the most important outcomes for children and young people living with such a wide range of conditions and symptoms.”

Each of the seven sites will look at different ways to gather children’s and families’ views, with Guys and St Thomas’ looking at creating an animated consultation website to target five- to 10-year-olds with chronic conditions.

Meanwhile, University Hospitals Bristol will work with the University of the West of England, Children’s Hospice South West and Palliative Care Working Group to consult with children with life-threatening diseases.

Nottingham's University Hospitals NHS Trust work will focus on consulting with young people admitted for self-harm injuries and eating disorders.

At Alder Hey the focus will be on children with complex breathing disorders.