Young people’s experiences and feedback as a result of being inpatients at Walsall Manor Hospital are being sought to help shape local health services.
Healthwatch Walsall, Director of Postgraduate Medical Education Dr Hesham Abdalla and Paediatric Matron Charlotte Yale have joined forces to stage a 1st Friday Focus session.
This session will help develop a specification for Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s refreshed young people’s service.
Young people who are currently having, or have had, treatment on a ward at Walsall Manor Hospital are being asked to get involved.
Session details are below:
Date: Friday 5 March
Time: 10am – 11.30am
Location: Zoom
Dr Abdalla said:
“My first experience of hospitals was when I was admitted as a 17 year old with a neurological condition.
“Two men who I got to know on my ward died during that inpatient stay, leaving a deep impact on me which I could not share with anyone until now.
“Experience of young people in hospital can still be traumatic and fragmented, as staff often do not have the time or skills to attend to their vulnerabilities.
“Now as a paediatrician I see more and more young people admitted with suicidal ideation and mental illness which may not always be recognised or dealt with as the focus is on their physical harm.
“Such incidents and the stories shared with the Trust Board have contributed to a commitment from our organisation to improve our service to meet their unique needs, particularly around psychological support.
“This process starts with listening to their experience and benefiting from their expertise through experience. With Healthwatch we have an opportunity to connect in a forum that allows this to happen and then move from listening into action.”
Staff are also being encouraged to attend.
Dr Abdalla added: “Many of you will have had personal or professional experience of caring for young people in a hospital setting. I request that you attend this session to listen, share your insights and be part of creating the solution”.
If you would like to attend then please register by emailing info@healthwatchwalsall.co.uk or calling 0800 470 1660.