What is the Young Persons' Council (YPC)?

The voice of teenagers and young adults can be difficult to capture, and we want you to have the opportunity to develop a better standard of service for teenage and young adult patients. The Young Persons’ Council is one of four existing Patient, Carer and Community Councils at UHB. The YPC is also supported by the hospital’s own charity, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity.

What does the YPC do?

The YPC look at ways to improve the experience for teenagers and young adults in our hospitals, and will also be involved in visits to wards and departments to ask patients and staff for their views. It allows members to talk about the issues that patients and carers discuss and the actions that need to be taken to resolve them. The YPC is not intended to be a forum for the resolution or discussions of complaints. These must be referred to the Patient Relations Team.

What will I be expected to do if I become a member?

You would be expected to attend the meetings and join the discussions and activities of the YPC. The meetings are friendly and relaxed and everyone is given an opportunity to contribute.

What will I get out of this?

You will have the opportunity to give something back, and to make a difference to the major issues that can benefit young people who come to the hospital. You will also learn new skills and receive lots of training about how a hospital works. You will have the chance to meet new people and to work with others. There is also the opportunity to chair a meeting which will build your organisational and communication skills. These skills will be useful in employment and can be added to your CV. University of Birmingham undergraduate students can count involvement in the YPC towards the University’s Personal Skills (PSA).

What do I do if I would like to become a member of the YPC?

You are welcome to come along to one of the meetings to find out what happens and speak to members before you make a decision to join the YPC. We recruit once a year with new members
invited to apply in November for the new intake in January of the following year.

If you would like to join or just find out more please contact Lorraine Bateman.

Tel: 0121 371 4957
Email: Lorraine.Bateman@uhb.nhs.uk