Alder Hey recently welcomed the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Yvette Cooper, to hear how colleagues, young people and families are working together to improve children’s health.
The visit, ahead of the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, highlighted the importance of community partnerships, peer support and involving young people in shaping services.
On her visit, the Secretary of State met three of Alder Hey’s respiratory parent champions, who shared their personal experiences and explained how they support families across Liverpool. Their stories brought to life the difference that peer support makes and demonstrated the power of working alongside communities to improve children’s health.
The Secretary of State met Ava, one of our Young Governors and a member of the Alder Hey Youth Forum, and Aimee, the first Peer Support Worker in our Eating Disorders Service, who shared their experiences and valuable insights into the support available for children and young people at Alder Hey.
It was a privilege to visit Alder Hey and meet the incredible people who make such a difference to children and families every day.
Alongside the hugely dedicated staff, I met brilliant parent champions and inspiring young people using their own experiences to shape hospital services, support other patients and strengthen care in their communities. Alder Hey and the families that work with them are a credit to Liverpool and to our NHS, because they are showing how every family needs support and kindness and every child deserves the best start in life.
From the pioneering treatments being developed here to the dedicated family support Alder Hey is leading the way in children’s healthcare not just across the UK but across the world.”
Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
The Secretary of State also saw work underway on our new Emergency Department and Paediatric Assessment Unit, and concluded with a sneak preview of the Surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
With her particular interest in children’s health, deprivation and early years, this visit was an opportunity to show at the very highest levels of government just what a difference Alder Hey colleagues can and do make for children, young people and families. Thank you to everyone who helped make the visit such a success.”
John Grinnell, Chief Executive of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
