Young people being sought to help shape health services
Joe Lepper
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Recruitment is underway for young people to join the NHS Youth Forum, set up to ensure young people’s views are considered when shaping future health provision.
Young people aged between 14 and 24 are being urged to join the forum, which is being run by children's charity Barnardo’s and NHS England and was set up a decade ago.
A priority for the forum’s members is to gather the views of young people UK wide through surveys on health practice for recommendations to be delivered to NHS England management.
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Forum members are also expected to regularly attend meetings and talk to NHS senior staff and decision makers.
As well as shaping policy another aim is to develop young people’s skills and confidence in public speaking and team working.
“We hope the forum will champion key issues and provide real insight into how to provide solutions which will be both effective and sustainable for generations to come,” said Barnardo’s head of voice and influence Josh Harsant.
The closing date for NHS Youth Forum applications is 4 March.
In addition to the forum, Barnardo’s and NHS England are looking to double the number of young people involved in its NHS Youth Advisory Network to 100.
This is a more informal network for 11- to 24-year-olds and includes video call discussions.
“Listening to children and young people and engaging them in decisions that affect their health and care is crucial,” said Duncan Burton, NHS deputy chief nursing officer for England.
“Their voices bring fresh insights and perspectives that ensure services meet their needs effectively."
Barnardo’s is a member of the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition that is calling on politicians of all parties to commit to improving mental health support ahead of this year’s general election.
They warn that around one in five young people in the UK have a mental health problem and three quarters of those in need face delays accessing support, which is worsening their emotional wellbeing.
The coalition wants an extra £1.7bn of funding to support young people’s mental health from birth to 25.
