ACTIVE – a group of children and young people who help inform decisions at Addenbrooke’s Hospital – is celebrating after becoming a finalist in a national awards’ ceremony.
ACTIVE was set up to improve child patient experience at the hospital and is based on the belief that no one knows what children need better than children themselves.
Members aged 8-18 enjoy making a difference for children in hospital through careful self-leadership facilitated by ACTIVE co-ordinator, Kirsty Lothian.
Their work to give children and young people a voice by sharing ideas and working on projects has won them recognition in the Patient Experience Network’s National Awards (PENNA).
Recent projects include:
- Welcoming and directing children around the hospital with a child friendly map and poster
- Working in collaboration with staff to learn more about their jobs and adding their views to service development projects
- Meeting and talking to the Board of Governors
- Evaluating transition to adult care leaflets for teenagers
- Identifying what makes an ideal nurse
- Designing surveys and leaflets for young people attending the outpatients’ department
- Considering the needs of bed-bound children, which resulted in a series of recommendations that are being actioned by staff
We are children and young people. Some of us are or were patients. Some are thinking about a medical career. ALL want to make a difference. The key idea behind ACTIVE is that no one knows what a child wants/needs better than a child.
Zoe, age 16
Kirsty explained: “We are really delighted ACTIVE has received recognition in the ‘sharing innovating and engaging patient experience’ category of the PENNA awards. Their creativity, energy and enthusiasm is a real credit to members who ultimately just want to be able to improve patient experience for children and young people.”
ACTIVE’s next focus will be on helping co-produce Cambridge Children’s Hospital.
For more details on ACTIVE visit child_voice_cuh (opens in a new tab) on Instagram or email kirsty.lothian@addenbrookes.nhs.uk