News
Health board draws up list of rights for young patients Charter lists ten things people under 25 should expect when they access healthcare services By Hélène Mulholland A CHARTER setting out the rights children have when using healthcare services at a health board in Wales has been developed in conjunction with young service users. Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University (ABMU) Health Board held focus groups to seek the views of 254 children and young people on a draft charter it developed in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The charter, which will be launched early next year, lists ten ‘rights’ that children and young people are entitled to when accessing healthcare services. Originally aimed at under-18s, the charter was revised to include young people under-25. It states that children have a right to: ■ Life and good health. ■ Education, play, relaxation and fun. ■ What is best for them. ■ Information. ■ Respect. ■ Have their say. ■ Consent. ■ Privacy and confidentiality. ■ Safety. ■ A family life.
The health board conducted a consultation on the draft charter earlier this year using focus groups, an electronic survey, Twitter and Facebook. ABMU deputy head of nursing for children’s services Eirlys Thomas led the engagement strategy together with Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service’s participation officer Michael Mainwaring. Decision making Mr Mainwaring said the charter is designed to help children be more involved in decisions and informed about their treatment. Ms Thomas said staff are receiving training on the contents of the charter. ‘It’s going to empower young people to have their voices heard and to have their rights taken seriously,’ she said. ‘Their views are important to us. This engagement work shows that we are their advocate and we are there to support them, and that their voice is important in terms of their health care.’ A video is being produced to inform children of their charter before being admitted to hospital, and posters and leaflets are being sent with appointment letters
Hospital opens sensory room for patients with special needs A NEWLY opened sensory room for children with special needs at Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital emergency department in Brighton is making a ‘huge difference’ to patients and their families. The former clinical room has been transformed with wall and ceiling lights, soothing music, mirrors and sensory toys and was opened last month following a £15,000 grant from local children’s charity Rocking Horse. The move was inspired by staff nurse Danny Witham and healthcare play specialist Amy Farmer (pictured).
NURSING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
In brief The Nursing and Midwifery Council was due to announce its new system of revalidation this month. It is anticipated that the requirement for continuing professional development over three years is to remain at 35 hours. For more information go to tinyurl.com/nkre9lv A high-level azithromycin-resistant gonorrhoea outbreak first detected in Leeds in March now appears to have spread to neighbouring areas. Some of the cases have reported partners from other parts of England. All cases to date have been in heterosexual patients. Next generation sequencing tests are being carried out on the strains to understand the molecular epidemiology better. Public Health England is concerned about threats to the effectiveness of current front-line dual therapy for gonorrhoea. An inquiry into play opportunities for children aged 0-5 years with multiple needs in England and Wales has been launched by the deafblind charity Sense. The inquiry is co-chaired by former secretary of state for education and employment, David Blunkett, who was blind from birth. The Case for Play team will report early next year. For information on submitting evidence or to take part in focus groups, go to www.sense.org.uk/ content/play by November 27. A pilot programme to vaccinate children in six primary schools in England against influenza has been put on hold because of supply problems. As the journal went to press the manufacturer AstraZeneca had told Public Health England that some batches of the nasal spray vaccine did not meet licensing specifications. The schools’ programme will not go ahead until new supplies from the United States have been tested thoroughly. PHE say stocks exist for two to six year olds to be vaccinated in GP surgeries. October 2015 | Volume 27 | Number 8
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Health board draws up list of rights for young patients Charter lists ten things people under 25 should expect when they access healthcare services By Hélène Mulholland A CHARTER setting out the rights children have when using healthcare services at a health board in Wales has been developed in conjunction with young service users. Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University (ABMU) Health Board held focus groups to seek the views of 254 children and young people on a draft charter it developed in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The charter, which will be launched early next year, lists ten ‘rights’ that children and young people are entitled to when accessing healthcare services. Originally aimed at under-18s, the charter was revised to include young people under-25. It states that children have a right to: ■ Life and good health. ■ Education, play, relaxation and fun. ■ What is best for them. ■ Information. ■ Respect. ■ Have their say. ■ Consent. ■ Privacy and confidentiality. ■ Safety. ■ A family life.
The health board conducted a consultation on the draft charter earlier this year using focus groups, an electronic survey, Twitter and Facebook. ABMU deputy head of nursing for children’s services Eirlys Thomas led the engagement strategy together with Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service’s participation officer Michael Mainwaring. Decision making Mr Mainwaring said the charter is designed to help children be more involved in decisions and informed about their treatment. Ms Thomas said staff are receiving training on the contents of the charter. ‘It’s going to empower young people to have their voices heard and to have their rights taken seriously,’ she said. ‘Their views are important to us. This engagement work shows that we are their advocate and we are there to support them, and that their voice is important in terms of their health care.’ A video is being produced to inform children of their charter before being admitted to hospital, and posters and leaflets are being sent with appointment letters
Hospital opens sensory room for patients with special needs A NEWLY opened sensory room for children with special needs at Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital emergency department in Brighton is making a ‘huge difference’ to patients and their families. The former clinical room has been transformed with wall and ceiling lights, soothing music, mirrors and sensory toys and was opened last month following a £15,000 grant from local children’s charity Rocking Horse. The move was inspired by staff nurse Danny Witham and healthcare play specialist Amy Farmer (pictured).
NURSING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
In brief The Nursing and Midwifery Council was due to announce its new system of revalidation this month. It is anticipated that the requirement for continuing professional development over three years is to remain at 35 hours. For more information go to tinyurl.com/nkre9lv A high-level azithromycin-resistant gonorrhoea outbreak first detected in Leeds in March now appears to have spread to neighbouring areas. Some of the cases have reported partners from other parts of England. All cases to date have been in heterosexual patients. Next generation sequencing tests are being carried out on the strains to understand the molecular epidemiology better. Public Health England is concerned about threats to the effectiveness of current front-line dual therapy for gonorrhoea. An inquiry into play opportunities for children aged 0-5 years with multiple needs in England and Wales has been launched by the deafblind charity Sense. The inquiry is co-chaired by former secretary of state for education and employment, David Blunkett, who was blind from birth. The Case for Play team will report early next year. For information on submitting evidence or to take part in focus groups, go to www.sense.org.uk/ content/play by November 27. A pilot programme to vaccinate children in six primary schools in England against influenza has been put on hold because of supply problems. As the journal went to press the manufacturer AstraZeneca had told Public Health England that some batches of the nasal spray vaccine did not meet licensing specifications. The schools’ programme will not go ahead until new supplies from the United States have been tested thoroughly. PHE say stocks exist for two to six year olds to be vaccinated in GP surgeries. October 2015 | Volume 27 | Number 8
7
