Young people’s experiences of health and care - perspectives of young people from Hillfields in Coventry

This is a report by Healthwatch Coventry. Healthwatch worked with a local charity to deliver work with young people on their experience of health and social care.

This piece of work was carried out in collaboration with WATCH a charity working in the Hillfields area of Coventry with the aim of amplify the voices of young service users to inform service providers and policy makers. 

The report examines how young people perceive and experience their local health services and social care services.

There are key asks in this report.

1. To be treated with respect, according to their age and ability

a) GPs and medical practitioners should understand guidance related to consent and understand young people’s concerns about confidentiality.

b) GPs and medical practitioners should use appropriate language when speaking with young people - from their practice guidelines for working with children and young people.

2. Increase awareness among young people about the NHS, helplines, resources and their rights regarding health and care services, empowering them to advocate for their own well-being.

a) Provide more information via schools to promote health and care services to young people and remind them of their rights.

b) Explore different methods to inform young people and to involve them in this.

c) GPS and medical professionals to provide parents, guardians and carers with information and support to understand the needs of and rights of their child/ young person.

There are no follow up actions in this report.