Children’s Health Scotland, Scotland’s leading children’s health charity, believe that every child has the right to the best possible health. To support this belief the charity is excited to announce their new My Health, My Rights Campaign, launched on the first day of Scottish Children’s Health Week 2023 (4-10 September 2023).
The aim of this national campaign is to voice the healthcare concerns/priorities raised by the children and young people they support, whilst growing awareness of healthcare rights and the benefits of health-related play.
“The explicit right of children and young people to the best possible health lies at the heart of this campaign,” said Helen Forrest, Chief Executive of Children’s Health Scotland. “Our challenge is for them to know and understand these rights so they can ask for help, and the services they are entitled to, when they need and want them. The have the right to have their voices are heard, and a key focus of the campaign is that children and young people are not small adults. They differ both physically and mentally from adults and therefore react in a different manner. So, policies and practices made for adults can’t simply be applied to children, who own their fundamental rights to health, wellbeing and care that fits their individual needs.”
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, the charity 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:
- THE EACH CHARTER
- RIGHTS TO EDUCATION
- TRANSITIONS IN HEALTHCARE
- THE UNCRC AND HEALTHCARE RIGHTS
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:
- DENTAL HEALTH
- GRANTS AND BENEFITS
- MEASURES TO REDUCE FOOD POVERTY
- MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING SUPPORT
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
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
The charity has developed a Healthcare Rights Quiz for those who would like to lend their support to the campaign and show they are Healthcare Rights Aware. 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 the charity on any elements of the campaign then please give them a call on 0131 553 6553 or email them on enquiries@childrenshealthscotland.org.
ENDS
