West Gippsland Healthcare Group (WGHG) is calling for more young people to join its Youth Representative Group (YRG) to help improve care and communication for our younger patients and clients.

YRG facilitator and WGHG Social Worker, Kirsty Monckton, highlighted the integral role of the YRG in improving the healthcare experience for young patients.

The YRG currently has  six members, aged 13 to 18.  It has reviewed WGHG documents, posters and hospital signage to ensure communication is engaging and easily understood.  It has contributed to the organisation’s Children and Young Person’s Plan and members presented at a WGHG Annual General Meeting.  The Group also played a key role in engaging with Assessors as part of our National Standards Accreditation. 

Kirsty says: “They have taught us how to listen to young people better. 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.

“They have ensured young people are heard. For instance, we had a young person who felt left out of their own care during a visit and the YRG helped that person share their story so that we could learn from it.

“We are always looking for more members and would love to see more diversity so that we capture a broad youth voice.”

Susan, 16, and Mia, 13, have been members of YRG since it began in 2022. The group meets quarterly and contributes to projects throughout the year.

Mia says: “One of my favourite projects that I have been part of was the signage and way-finding exercises. We stood outside (the hospital) and looked for signs that were out of date or not clearly visible. We were then given a place to find without assistance and asked to give feedback based on our experience. I really enjoyed it because it was something that could help the hospital.”

The YRG is now planning to make an informative short film designed to ease children’s fears around hospital visits.

Susan says: “What this video will do is give the viewer an insight into what to expect during their stay, as well as giving them information on who they can ask for help or direct any 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.”

For more information, contact Kirsty on 5624 3550 or by emailing Child Safe (WGHG) at childsafe@wghg.com.au.