4 December 2008
With help of funding from the Grand Appeal charity, UH
Bristol has employed its first Young Persons Involvement Worker to
work with young people and encourage their active
participation in the Trust.
Cathy Gane started in October and is working closely with the
Women and Childrens Division and young members of the Foundation
Trust to get youngsters involved with UH Bristol.
Cathy will be out and about meeting as many young people as she
can in the childrens hospital.
An all-day interactive event will be held in January 2009 for
all junior members of the Foundation Trust. Here they will be able
to talk about what they want from the hospital and begin forming a
Youth Council that will enable their views to be represented at
Board level.
Cathy used to work for the South Gloucester Council Youth Forum
tackling difficult projects such as Sex and Relationship-Education.
She said: It is an exciting new role, as I am the first person to
take on the role this is a great opportunity to really make a
difference! I am really looking forward to getting the children
involved and I think its great the Trust are really interested what
they have to say.
Geraldine Johnston, Divisional Manager for the Childrens
Hospital said I am delighted that Cathy has joined us, it is so
important to involve and engage children and young people in
service planning and development. This is a really exciting
initiative that enables children and young people to make a
difference to their healthcare experience.
As a Foundation Trust, UH Bristol is accountable to the local
community, with nearly 9,000 public and patient members the Trust
has come a long way in getting local people involved in decision
making; however more members are always needed, especially young
members. Membership is free, potential members can find more
information at www.uhbristol.nhs.uk or email foundationtrust@uhbristol.nhs.uk.
