Youth input needed in local healthcare

Local youth are being called on to help improve the healthcare experience of young patients.
To coincide with the recent International Youth Day, West Gippsland Healthcare Group (WGHG) social worker Kristy Monckton invited young people to join its youth representative group of which she is facilitator.
Ms Monckton said the group, which currently has six members aged 13 to 18 years, "have ensured young people are heard" by playing an integral role in improving care and communication for WGHG's younger patients and clients.
The YRG has already reviewed WGHG documents, posters and hospital signage to ensure communication is engaging and easily understood.
Its next project is an informative short film design to ease children's fears around hospital visits.
A member since the YRG began in 2022, 16-year-old Susan Petrie said the video would give children an insight into what to expect during their stay, as well as giving them information on who they could ask for help or direct questions to.
"Overall, the goal is just to make young people like us feel as safe, welcome and as comfortable as possible while they're being treated within the healthcare group," Susan said.
Another member, 13-year-old Mia Wilson, said one of her favourite YRG projects was a signage and way-finding exercise, stating "I really enjoyed it because it was something that could help the hospital".
"We stood outside (the hospital) and looked for signs that were out of date or not clearly visible," she said. "We were then given a place to find without assistance and asked to give feedback based on our experience."
The group also has contributed to the organisation's children and young person's plan and its members presented at the WGHG annual general meeting.
Meeting quarterly, the YRG has also played a key role in engaging with assessors as part of WGHG's national standards accreditation.
"They have taught us how to listen to young people better," Ms Monckton said of the youth group. "They'll look at our newsletters and posters and let us know if it's boring, if there is too much information and whether they would read it or not."
Ms Monckton said the organisation was learning from the experiences of young patients. For example, a young person who felt left out of their own care recently shared their story with the YRG.
"We are always looking for more members and would love to see more diversity so that we capture a broad youth voice," she added.
If you would like to join or gain further information about the WGHG youth representative group, contact Kirsty Monckton on 5624 3550 or by emailing Child Safe (WGHG) at childsafe@wghg.com.au