Reflecting on the visit, Charlotte said:
"I was incredibly impressed by the dedication, compassion and professionalism of the team. Nicola and Emily were generous in sharing their knowledge and experience, and it was clear how committed they are to improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people in care."
The team provides a clinic run by paediatricians who carry out initial health assessments within 28 days of coming into care and specialist nurses carry out review health assessments to support and monitor physical, emotional and developmental wellbeing. One of the strengths Charlotte observed was the importance placed on a holistic approach and building trusted relationships with children and young people.
"The team spoke passionately about the value of being a consistent person in a young person's life and understanding their individual story. This continuity helps them identify challenges early and support positive health outcomes."
Charlotte also heard about the team's commitment to ensuring children and young people see the same practitioner wherever possible, helping to build trust and create a more positive healthcare experience.
While the visit highlighted many strengths, it also provided an opportunity to discuss some of the challenges facing the service and wider system. Which included the significant amount of administration required and the need for strong partnership working across health and social care organisations.
Looking ahead, Charlotte identified opportunities to explore how technology could support clinicians by reducing paperwork and improving access to information, helping to maximise the time available for direct patient care. She also highlighted the value of continued collaboration between health and social care partners to ensure children and young people receive joined-up support.
"This is a highly skilled and caring team making a real difference to some of our most vulnerable children and young people. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn more about their work and look forward to sharing their insights more widely across the organisation."
The visit formed part of the Trust's ongoing programme of Board engagement visits, helping Board members understand the experiences of colleagues and services across the organisation while celebrating the excellent care being delivered every day.
