Engaging young people in NHS service delivery and development : Results from a sector survey and interviews

Abstract

Despite considerable and growing support for public and patient participation with young people in the development and delivery of health services, what is actually being done in practice across the country is not widely known or shared. In order to present an overview of current practice we undertook a scoping exercise, including a survey and interviews. The overall picture was positive, in that there is clear ambition and commitment to broadening the participation of young people in health services design and delivery, and many examples of work ongoing. There is consensus on the essential building blocks, and the challenges and barriers. However, the work is sketchy, patchy, and happening in silos. The extent to which individual attempts are successful, enduring and meaningful varies hugely and many fail for lack of resources and staff capacity or skills. The work is often under recognised and under resourced. There is clearly room for guidance across the health system to help people decide what kind of participation work is feasible and appropriate for them, and to provide some pointers to good practice.