News Release
8 November 2024
An inspiring new video produced by young people from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) on
the health issues important to them has been launched online.
The video, which features a number of young people, opens with Dan (aged 23) advising that young
people want to grow up feeling healthy, happy and well. He goes on to call on the local NHS in LLR to
connect with them, give them a voice, listen to them and act on their feedback.
The video follows the local NHS’s biggest engagement activity with children and young people, which
found that more than seven out of ten young people reported good, positive or excellent healthcare
experiences during their last encounter with the NHS. However, there are still some areas to improve.
The local NHS recently attended an event hosted by young people, where they launched the video
and spoke directly about their experiences with Board members of the LLR Integrated Care Board
(LLR ICB). Following the event, the local NHS has pledged to continue listening to the voices of
children, young people and their families and to develop a Children and Young People’s Agreement.
The NHS is also creating new ways to hear from children and young people on a regular basis.
Helen Mather, the Lead for Children and Young People’s Health at the LLR ICB , said: “We are
committed to engaging, involving and updating young people on our progress and achievements,
whilst continuously working with them to hear their voices and learn from their experiences, in a
combined effort to improve children and young people’s experiences of healthcare.”
The recent engagement activity found that mental health matters most to children and young people
and they think more needs to be done to help. The mental health of children and young people is also
a major concern for parents and carers, with many young people not knowing how to access help.
Young people worry about pressures at school, pressures about appearance from social media, cyber
bullying and family breakdown. Young people, parents, carers and staff feel that poor sleep is also a
critical issue.
With regards to physical health matters, young people have told us they experience difficulties getting
GP appointments, long waits for referrals and treatment and many have to repeat their story multiple
times during the process. Some leave treatment without knowing the next step or advice. It is key that
they are listened to and treated with compassion.
Health professionals say they are confident to give advice to young people. However, most of them
also say they do not have everything they need to support them in their role.
The young people’s video and the findings of the engagement activity can be found at:
https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/be-involved/young-voices-on-healthcare/
Ends
For further information contact:
llricb-llr.pressoffice@nhs.net
Note to editors
The LLR ICB is the NHS organisation responsible for planning, arranging and ensuring the
availability and quality of health services to local people.
For further information visit: https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk
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