Hospital backs youth plan
Northwick Park Hospital has teamed up with Young Harrow Foundation (YHF), Brent and Harrow councils and local charities to address the growing number of young people being treated for mental health issues and youth violence in A&E.
It follows a survey of more than 4,500 young people by YHF who were asked what they saw as the major issues in their lives and where they felt let down.
The biggest concerns raised in This is Harrow were mental health, self-harm, youth violence, employment, inequalities and food poverty.
A&E consultant Lauren Fraser welcomed the survey and highlighted the frustration of staff who could do little more than ‘put a patch’ on the problem of youth violence and mental health as people briefly pass through the emergency department.
Lauren said: “There is a great opportunity to improve the experience of these young people while they are in A&E.
"We can tailor our environment to their needs as well as put them in touch with the great organisations already working in their community to support them going forward.”
YHF organised their ‘Change Champions’ who are young people working with YHF with lived experiences of the issues to come into the hospital and speak and interview staff and patients about their experiences and assess the environment from the eyes of a young person.
Dan Burke, Chief Executive of the Young Harrow Foundation, said: “It’s a great opportunity for us to connect with these young people and signpost them to services that can support them in the community.
“Resources are limited so this is about connecting the dots and ensuring young people have access to everything we’ve got to offer them.”
As a result, the partners have agreed to the following measures:
- Brent Council will fund a dedicated post within A&E who will signpost young people to services that can provide further support
- Train and recruit a group of volunteers who will engage with young people waiting in A&E
- Create a separate waiting area and facilities for under 18s
- Improve facilities in the secure room for patients with mental health issues
- Provide additional training to medical staff in communicating with and supporting young people.