Technology Key to Engaging Children in Healthcare

Making better use of modern communications technologies is a strong strand running through a new government action plan to improve health services for children and young people.

Listening, Hearing, Responding sets out detailed plans for increasing the involvement and participation of children and young people in all aspects of their care in the health system.

Key themes 2002-3 include better information and choice and improved communication with young people and their parents. The aim is to make the overall environment safe comfortable and friendly for young patients and users of the system.

Milestones set for the coming year include:
• Development of CareZone, an interactive community for looked-after children and young people started by the Who Cares Trust;
• Pupil involvement in the design of a Wired for Health website, part of the Healthy Schools policy;
• A new website for young renal patients.

There will also be a general move to make Department of Health websites, newsletters and leaflets more “young people friendly”.

Launching the action plan, health minister, Jacqui Smith said, “We want to see better communication with children, young patients and parents in the NHS. Patients must be involved, wherever possible, in decisions about their treatment and care.

Our aim is to build on the good practice that already exists as well as driving forward change. This action plan shows how serious we are about listening to the views of children and young people and the steps we are taking to extend this work across the entire department.”