These bodies were established to represent the views of service users of all ages in health and social care taking forward the work done by Local Involvement Networks (LINks).
In Positive for Youth, Healthwatch England and Local Healthwatch are highlighted for providing opportunities for young people to be consulted about their needs and experiences of local care services and involving young people in commissioning and scrutiny of local care services, including young people who are ill or disabled.
As the Health and Social Care Bill passes through the report stage, many children’s rights and child health organisations are calling for the bill to explicitly refer to involving children and young people, as there are concerns that children and young people’s voice and influence may be overlooked in Healthwatch work.
Indeed, research suggests children and young people’s views are often not sought or unobserved in the NHS, with many health authorities and NHS trusts not identifying children and young people as service users and their involvement with GP patient groups and LINks considered limited.
Indeed, the NHS Future Forum has raised concerns around children’s involvement in patient and public voice mechanisms and the Kennedy Review Getting It Right For Children and Young People: Overcoming Cultural Barriers in the NHS argues for the need to strengthen children and young people’s engagement in the NHS.
It is essential that Local Healthwatch and Healthwatch England work for all ages, including children and young people from a variety of backgrounds, including the most vulnerable. At the NYA, we believe that all young people have a right to be actively involved in shaping local health services and their participation is essential to improve services and respond to young people’s health and wellbeing needs.
Peta Halls, National Youth Agency development officer petah@nya.org.uk
