News
NHS collaborate with children and young people to improve their mental health services
A report entitled “Thrive: Healthy young minds” has been published, about the views of children and young people and their families, concerning child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in Lancashire and South Cumbria. An innovative collaboration called “The Healthwatch Collaborative”, teamed up with the Children and Young People’s Transformation Board to learn how the NHS can improve child and adolescent mental health services.
During May and June 2018, local Healthwatch teams organised seven events across Lancashire and South Cumbria and invited children, young people, family members, carers and health professionals to hear their views about CAMHS services. Each event focused on an aspect of child and adolescent mental health care and was designed to be highly participative. The workshops focused on crisis support, access to services, transition to adult services, the role that digital technology can play to support young people, addressing the stigma of using mental health services, care of the most vulnerable, and ensuring that services are run as an integrated ‘one stop shop’.
One young person, whose comments were included in the report said: “It’s a good way to involve young people - it’s good to include young people’s experiences”.
Sue Stevenson, Chief Operating Officer for Healthwatch Cumbria, on behalf of the Healthwatch Collaborative, said:
“When the NHS considers making improvements to its services, it is essential that the users of those services are involved. We know from past experience and research that improvements are best recommended by those who use the services because they have knowledge, experience and insight of those services, to make meaningful recommendations.’’
David Eaton, Service Manager CAMHS Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on behalf of the Children and Young People’s Transformation Board leading the redesign of mental health services for children and young people, said:
“All of the Trusts and the CCGs involved in improving CAMHS services are passionate about those services being the best that they can possibly be. The energy and enthusiasm from the young people, families and carers was incredible and the result is an immensely useful report with feedback that we are now acting upon.
On behalf of the Children and Young People’s Transformation Board I would like to thank everyone who took part in the events, and in particular thank the Healthwatch Collaborative for helping us with this. We are delighted with the Thrive report and look forward to continued engagement on our ideas and plans."
Planning for the next phase of co-production is underway and you can find out the latest at: https://www.healthyyoungmindslsc.co.uk/home
Read the full report here
Have your say on NHS policies
Residents of Blackburn with Darwen are being encouraged to have their say on NHS CCG policies. As part of this ongoing process, the policy for the treatment of varicose veins is now available for patient and public engagement and feedback. For more information, please see
2018 AGM
rvices
Join us at our 2018 AGM to find out about our achievements in the year to March 2018. The event will have insightful updates from key note speakers as well as news from the team. The AGM will take place in rooms 1 and 2 at Blackburn Central Library at 3.30pm on 24th October. We'd love to see you there!
Asthma Survey
Blackburn with Darwen has one of the highest number of children and young people with asthma admitted to hospital each year. Working with Blackburn with Darwen CCG we are gathering parents and young peoples' views & experiences of their asthma care to shape the local offer.
Have your say using this short survey. http://www.
Launch of East Lancashire Hospital's new inpatient guide
We were proud to support the launch of East Lancashire Hospital Trust's new information guide to assist inpatients and their relatives/carers during hospital stays. Click here to access a copy of the guide.
Public Meeting at Healthwatch BwD
Healthwatch BwD held its first public meeting of 2018 on Tuesday 17th July, which was attended by local residents and representatives from the local voluntary and statutory sectors. We had the great pleasure of havingDominic Harrison, Director of Public Health at Blackburn with Darwen Council as a key note speaker at the event.
Please find attached links for the minutes, Dominic's slides on the health challenges facing the borough and our Interim Chief Officer Abdul Mulla's slides on the focus of Healthwatch's work in 2018.
Want to find out more about Healthwatch?
We're happy to share with you our new Easy Read Guide to what Healthwatch does and how we can help you get the support you need.
