NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) proudly supports Children’s Health Scotland and celebrates the launch of the inspiring My Health, My Rights Children and Young People’s Charter.
This Charter, crafted by children and young people living with health conditions in Scotland, follows the landmark moment when the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) became Scots Law in July 2024.
The UNCRC, the most widely ratified human rights treaty globally, sets out the fundamental rights of all children, including those related to health, to help them fulfil their potential.
The Charter also looks at the EACH Charter and the importance of Children’s Health Rights in all health care settings. The team used the fundamental right to play and health related play to focus on GIRFEC and made sure the Charter was child led.
The My Health, My Rights Charter was officially unveiled at an event held at NHSGGC’s Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow (RHC). It was brought to life by the Children’s Health Scotland Health Right Defenders, a group of Children and Young People aged 9-17 living with health conditions in Scotland, many of whom have been patients at the RHC.
What makes this Charter truly special is its relatable and understandable format for under-18s, complete with illustrations by Health Rights Defenders, school children and patients. Rhianne Forrest, Officer at Children’s Health Scotland, shared:
“Our Health Rights Defenders have worked incredibly hard to bring Health Rights to life for children and young people across Scotland. This charter has been created by children and young people, for children and young people.
“Its creators have health conditions, putting health rights and accessibility at its heart. Children and young people from across Scotland got involved with many being from the NHSGGC area.
“We’d like to thank the health play team in RHC for their amazing support in making this charter happen as well as support given from NHSGGC and the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. Our Health Rights Defenders were clear that they didn’t want their rights numbered as they are all equally as important.”
Children’s Health Scotland and NHSGGC brought the charter to life for children by celebrating it as part of Scottish Children’s Health Week activities in the RHC and providing patients with a free activity book to bring the charter to life.
Mandy Meechan, Chief Nurse at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow said:
“We are delighted to welcome the charter and congratulate the charity on their efforts to publish this. The Health Rights Defenders have done an extraordinary job. Many of our teams have participated in the child rights training offered by Children’s Health Scotland and we are pleased to see more putting themselves forward to engage with this.
“Children are at the heart of everything we do at the hospital and that extends further than the medical treatment they are provided. The Charter links directly into that. We have our ‘What Matters to You’ program also that asks our children and families to tell us what would make them the most comfortable while receiving their care. We also have multiple teams that help us engage children and their families, including our Play Team who calm anxieties and help children understand their care with activities like a trip to our Teddy Hospital.”
See the full Charter here: My Health, My Rights Charter – Children’s Health Scotland (childrenshealthscotland.org)
