We believe that every child has the right to the best possible health. To support this belief we have launched a national My Health, My Rights Campaign. The aim of this national campaign is to voice the healthcare concerns and priorities raised by the children and young people they support, whilst growing awareness of healthcare rights and the benefits of health-related play.
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
We have developed a Healthcare Rights Quiz for those who would like to lend their support to the campaign and show they are #HealthcareRightsAware. To take the quiz, show your support and get a badge CLICK HERE.
The campaign will build towards an end date of 2 October 2026 – the 50th Anniversary of Children’s Health Scotland. If you would like to partner with us on any elements of the campaign then please give them a call on 0131 553 6553 or email them on enquiries@childrenshealthscotland.org.
MORE ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN
The campaign has three main elements as detailed below:
1. THE HEALTHCARE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
The campaign objective is to engage with children and young people, and those who love and care for them, so they become healthcare rights aware. By working directly with young volunteers, we will develop a Healthcare Rights Youth Charter that supports healthcare rights – at home, at school/education, in the community or at hospital. (This meets the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Article 4 Making Rights Real; Article 12 Respect for Children’s Views; Article 24 Health, Water, Food, Environment; and Article 27 Food, Clothing, and a Safe Home)
WHAT DO WE WANT?
The My Health, My Rights Campaign calls for children and young people with health conditions or concerns (particularly during times of illness), along with those who love and care for them, to be empowered in knowing their needs and rights so they can access appropriate services. We want a range of training and resources made available to ensure that there is equity of access to education for all children and young people who are absent from school due to their health. By doing this, they can benefit from their education, whilst their health and wellbeing is supported in an individually appropriate and timeous way.
HOW CAN THIS BE ACHIEVED?
During this campaign we want to progress towards better healthcare rights for children and young people by partnership working to achieve improved knowledge of:
Children’s Health Scotland is a member of the European Association for Children in Hospital (EACH). EACH is the umbrella organisation for member associations involved in the welfare of all children before, during and after a hospital stay. We use the EACH Charter to promote the healthcare rights of children and young people in Scotland. We deliver workshops, presentations, and talks on the EACH Charter and the healthcare rights of children and young people. These are available for parents, carers and health professionals which in the past have included nursing students, hospital play specialists and nursery nurses.
It is the right of children and young people with health conditions to have access to education, both to minimise an adverse effect on their academic performance, but also on their social links and peer support. Every young person who has to be absent from education due to ill health must be offered access to support for learning both while in hospital or ill at home. Those with long-term conditions should also have access to appropriately trained career advisors to optimise their opportunities for employment and career progression.
Transitions in healthcare describes the process by which young people move from paediatric child-centred services to adult-orientated healthcare systems. They require purposeful planning, as the move can be difficult and anxiety provoking in young people and their families. Transition Plans can ensure that young people with ongoing healthcare needs have the right adult service in place, once children’s services stop. As children and adult services are separate, and structured differently, young people and their families need to be aware of the different way of working and how to adapt to them. In some circumstances, there may be no equivalent adult service and support services, such as respite, may be more difficult to access.
No child should go hungry. UNCRC Article 24. The Government must make sure children and young people are able to be as healthy as they can be, and that they are able to get healthcare when they need it. They must also be able to get clean water, healthy food and live in a healthy environment.
2. THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Within this strand the campaign objective is to raise awareness of the mental, physical and social health and wellbeing of children and young people whilst highlighting key services available for support, so that children and young people and those who love and care for them are well informed. (This meets the UNCRC Article 17 Access to information; Article 23 Children with Disabilities; and Article 24 Health, Water, Food, Environment, and Article 28 Access to Education)
WHAT DO WE WANT?
The My Health, My Rights campaign calls for improved mental health and wellbeing support to be available as early as possible and at the right level to avoid problems escalating through life. We want all children and young, and more specifically those with health conditions, or who have experienced trauma, or have additional support needs, to be able to access appropriate early intervention health support. This is essential during critical times of transition.
HOW CAN THIS BE ACHIEVED?
During this campaign, we want to progress towards better health and wellbeing support for children and young people by partnership working to achieve better:
Keeping children’s teeth healthy will help them to maintain clean and healthy teeth and gums and develop good oral hygiene habits that they will need throughout the rest of their lives. Remember the most important thing is brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
Money (or lack of it) can be really stressful to deal with, but there is help out there if you need it. There’s a wide range of benefits and services available and to get you started we’ve pulled together a list of some which are available just now.
No child should go hungry. UNCRC Article 24. The Government must make sure children and young people are able to be as healthy as they can be, and that they are able to get healthcare when they need it. They must also be able to get clean water, healthy food and live in a healthy environment.
We can all struggle with our mental health from time to time and this is certainly true for children and young people. Feeling anxious, upset, angry or sad is completely normal, but sometimes this can go on for longer than would be expected or it begins to have an impact on the child or young person being able to get on with life, thrive and develop. We offer a range of direct services to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland.
3. HEALTH-RELATED PLAY
Within this strand the campaign objective is to champion the benefits of health-related play, and joy, in the lives of children and young people. More than just fun, health-related play is serious business when it comes to children’s health and wellbeing and can help children physically, mentally, and emotionally and is crucial to their healthy development and happiness. (This meets with the UNCRC Article 31 Rest, Play, Culture, Arts; Article 23 Children with Disabilities; and Article 24 Health, Water, Food, Environment).
WHAT DO WE WANT?
The My Health, My Rights campaign calls for more Health-related Play Strategies to be used to support children and young people in the understanding of their medical conditions and treatments, and/or to adopt lifestyle changes that are required to manage long-term conditions. One of the best ways for children to stay both physically and mentally healthy is through access to play experiences. Story play and health-related play can help children and young people: prepare for treatment; explore and express feelings/fears; develop practical skills; improve creative thinking; and increase their knowledge and understanding.
HOW CAN THIS BE ACHIEVED?
We want to progress towards better Health-Related Play for children and young people by partnering with professionals to focus on how, by using Health-Related Play, children can express their right to be heard and understood, and their feelings acknowledged. During the campaign we will work in partnership to develop:
- BEST PRACTICE GUIDANCE FOR HEALTH-RELATED PLAY
- A TOOLKIT ON HOW PLAY CAN BE USED TO GAIN INFORMED CONSENT
