Vicky Amiss-Smith
Clinical Lead Nurse, Cambridge Children’s Hospital project
Planning the future of children’s health services is complicated, with dozens of professionals involved. But as one project team has discovered, children and families with lived experience offer vital insight that makes them think differently.
As a paediatric nurse of over 20 years, I’ve cared for hundreds of children, young people and their loved ones. I’ve witnessed the worry when a child is unwell, the unimaginable stress of juggling hospital and home life and deep sadness when a child’s outcome isn’t what anyone hoped for. I’ve also seen, in abundance, compassion, resilience, humour, bravery and relief when it’s finally time to go home.
Becoming an expert by experience
Those who live through a challenging physical or mental health journey become experts by experience. They know the noise of busy wards, the anxiety of going to theatre, the exhaustion from lack of sleep, the cost of hospital food and the psychological impact of being very unwell and far from home.
When an opportunity arises to transform children’s healthcare, it’s not just down to the clinicians and managers to make decisions. Experts by experience, who’ve seen it firsthand, must be involved.
Using that knowledge for good
Cambridge Children’s Hospital will be the first specialist children’s hospital for the East of England, unique in fully integrating the treatment of mental and physical health under one roof for the very first time, alongside world-leading research. At the heart of the planning are patients and carers. Over six years, they have worked with us to shape the building design, model of care and vital connections to regional health services.
Those who live through a challenging physical or
mental health journey become experts by experience
These volunteers have joined meetings, forums, workshops and events, sharing their stories, feedback and wisdom about what works and what doesn’t. Several parents are embedded into the project team, supporting decision-making and holding us to account, while sitting at the highest level of governance.
Next year, we’ll start construction, step up our fundraising campaign and plan the complicated process of moving in. There’s a long way to go, but together with children, carers and, of course, NHS staff, we’ll make this hospital a reality.
Learn more at www.cambridgechildrens.org.uk
