The Princess Royal heard directly from children, young people and volunteers about the work of RCPCH &Us over the last decade which seeks to ensure their voices, stories and experiences are heard and fed back into child health and healthcare services.
During the visit, Her Royal Highness also heard about the personal value of RCPCH &Us to children and young people in the room and how it helps them develop skills for life, gain confidence and are empowered to speak up, lead change and become active partners in shaping the future of healthcare, both for themselves and for generations to come.
RCPCH &Us volunteers said:
We were so excited and proud that The Princess Royal wanted to come and visit us and hear about our work both for us and all the other children, young people and families that have taken part in the last 10 years. We want to make a difference together with health services and it was great to be able to show what we have worked on and talk about the impact it has made to us and to the NHS.
President of RCPCH Professor Steve Turner said:
It is an honour for the College to welcome Her Royal Highness to our 10th birthday celebrations of RCPCH &Us.
As a paediatrician I am proud that the College embeds the voices, wishes and evidence from children and young people into its work. From waiting times for child health services to safeguarding, from paediatric workforce planning to the Tobacco & Vapes Bill and from air pollution to vaccination coverage – RCPCH &Us is keeping children and young people’s voices and experiences at the centre.
CEO, Robert Okunnu said:
It was wonderful that The Princess Royal had the opportunity to meet and greet our volunteers at RCPCH &Us. Since its inception in 2015, RCPCH &Us have met and heard from over 16,000 children and young people and their value and insights can never be understated.
The College is now looking to the future and how we can continue strengthening child health and the sector in the coming decade.