Involving young people in developing Moorfields’ services for children 

NHS England recommends that health services for children and young people are informed by a Youth Forum. This is to facilitate better use of resources by providing services that children want, bringing new perspectives and solutions to the discussion, and helping children develop their own new skills and knowledge. 

Here at Moorfields we host the biggest eye service for children and young people in the western world, with over 35,000 outpatient appointments per year. 

However, to date there has not been a Youth Forum to inform service design and development at Moorfields. So, with support of an innovation grant, Dr Annegret Dahlmann-Noor and her colleagues are planning to address this gap. 

The team, led by Annegret, will form a steering group made up of children and young people age 10-17 years to co-produce plans for the Youth Forum. 

Together, the children and young people will define the role of the forum, such as providing input to service development and delivery, evaluation, patient experience, development of information material, and Oriel - our new hospital development. With guidance and input from the staff, this forum will agree the terms of reference, size and scope of the group. 

Ultimately, the process of establishing the Youth Forum will present meaningful opportunities to influence decision-making. The team and the Youth Forum won’t rest on their laurels however when the forum is established but will continue to evaluate the group’s approach and impact through a process evaluation. 

A Youth Forum will provide a way to ensure that the views of children and young people shape the design, delivery and evaluation of Moorfields paediatric services. 

They will share their experiences and evaluation of the group with other NHS providers and eye clinics and hospitals across the UK and worldwide, for example at the World Association of Eye Hospitals meetings and other relevant conferences. 

They also have plans to engage with the NHS England Youth Forum and other NHS youth fora through, for example, attendance at the annual ​‘Big Meet Up’.

Calling all present and past Moorfields patients aged 10-17. Moorfields needs you to help improve services for other children and young people at Moorfields.

Join the new Young People’s Forum (YPF), funded by us, to make a difference and have your say.

Email moorfields.ypf@nhs.net for an application form.