Today we are pleased to announce that the Hospital Paediatrics and Neonatal Rights of the Child Group at Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS as the winner of the Healthcare Rights Award. Their story is captured below by journalist and TV Presenter Catriona Shearer.
The rights of all children and young people to the best possible health is enshrined in United Nations Convention. This award acknowledges the extraordinary steps taken by the Hospital Paediatrics and Neonatal Rights of the Child Group to advance the healthcare rights of children and young people. The judging panel of the Scottish Children’s Health Awards was particularly impressed that this group has campaigned to embed those rights in all services and service development.
Chaired by Patricia Friel, this multi-disciplinary team’s purpose is improving outcomes for children, young people and their families. This group looks at the care provision for children and young people in relation to those rights and responds to current policy and guidance, debates and shares good practice. “The group meets six times a year and have continued to meet online during the pandemic,” says Tricia, “which has been really important as healthcare services changed and adapted in response to COVID-19. We’ve worked together to ensure we support children, young people and their families during this unprecedented time.”
Tricia – a registered nurse for 39 years – didn’t know the group had been nominated for an award by Coral Brady, who’s also a member. “Coral is passionate about the quality of health care we deliver and proud of the achievements of the group,” she says. “I had no idea the group was nominated; it was a lovely surprise. I’m so pleased. I’ve only been Chair since November 2020 – so this award is reflective of its work since it was established.”
The Scottish Children’s Health Award judging panel felt the group has taken great steps to ensure patient-centred care is at the heart of every decision taken in respect of service delivery and to advance the healthcare rights of children and young people.
Accepting the award on behalf of the group, Tricia said it is “not for me personally but for every member of the group and for all our teams who strive every day to deliver high quality care to our patients and families. I am so pleased for all of them, and we’re proud and humbled to receive this award.”
The efforts of those teams are recognised by this Healthcare Rights Award and our judges felt the group is a “great example of what other hospitals could achieve by adopting a similar approach to the healthcare rights of children and young people.”
Congratulations to Tricia and all the members of the Hospital Paediatrics and Neonatal Rights of the Child Group on winning the Healthcare Rights Award.
Scottish Children’s Health Awards
The Scottish Children’s Health Awards have been created to celebrate courageous children and those who are making a difference to the health and wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland. All children and young people have human and healthcare rights. For example, children have the right to the best health possible and to medical care and the right to play and education in hospital. These rights are articulated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the European Association for Children in Hospital (EACH) Charter. The Healthcare Rights Award acknowledges the extraordinary steps taken to advance the healthcare rights of children and young people.
