The Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow (RHC) is sending a clear message to children and young people: your voice matters.
Eager to hear more from the people who matter the most, staff at the RHC are asking children and young people to provide feedback on their hospital experience.
This will help staff do more of what is working well and take on board suggestions of how life can be made better for children whilst receiving care from the team within the hospital – creating the best care through the eyes of a child.
To help improve access for children and young people to provide feedback, hospital staff are encouraging inpatients and outpatients to leave comments digitally on the Care Opinion website, via Care Opinion Bear.
Care Opinion Bear is an adapted version of Care Opinion, an independent platform where adults and older children can provide feedback on NHSGGC services. Care Opinion Bear is tailored to a young audience to help them understand ways in which they can provide digital feedback. The digital tool enables inpatients and outpatients to leave comments in a way that’s easy to understand and engaging for younger audiences.
The initiative was launched this week with a special event in the hospital’s Atrium, where staff unveiled a vibrant new Care Opinion Bear artwork designed to inspire participation and celebrate and hear the voices of young patients.
Listening to patients is embodied in NHSGGC’s patient-centred care and asking for feedback from young patients also demonstrates how the RHC supports the Rights of the Child.
Mandy Meechan, Chief Nurse at the RHC and a key driver of Rights of the Child initiatives at the hospital, said:
“Our patients and their loved ones are at the heart of everything we do. Gathering feedback from children and young people is one of the many ways we uphold their rights, something that’s embedded in our everyday practice.”
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world and became Scots Law in July 2024. It advocates the rights of all children, including the right to health, to be heard, and to be treated in a safe and supportive environment.
Mandy explained how UNCRC is integrated in the hospital’s care:
“Listening to children and young people to support their rights has always been embedded in our services. We even do this for our babies by asking their parents to be their voice. Across the hospital, we use a variety of approaches to ensure every child feels heard and understood.
“For example, we use play therapy to help explain diagnoses, treatment plans, and surgical procedures in a way that’s age-appropriate and comforting. Our staff take time whenever possible to speak directly with children about their health, ensuring they understand what’s happening and feel involved in their care.
“For inpatients, we aim to capture what’s most important to them, whether it’s a favourite toy, a routine, or simply having their family nearby. This helps to personalise care.
“We also actively encourage feedback from children and young people through multiple channels on the wards, including feedback cards, interactive whiteboards, and digital surveys. This helps us continuously improve our services and ensures that their voices shape the care we provide.”
RHC continue their longstanding partnership with Children’s Health Scotland and is committed to the My Health, My Rights Children and Young People’s Charter, a document co-created by young people living with health conditions in Scotland. The Charter brings health rights to life in a relatable format, complete with illustrations by RHC patients.
Mandy said:
“We are always looking at new ways to amplify and communicate with the children to listen to their voice to improve their journey when it comes to their healthcare.”
Got something to share? Visit: https://www.careopinion.org.uk/go/4829/royal-hospital-for-children-bear
