NHS says: Text ‘HEART’ to take part

Young people across the North West, North Wales and the Isle of Man wanting to take part inthe consultation on proposals to change children’s heart services will be able to respond via a new text service set up by Safe and Sustainable – the NHS consultation on children’s congenital heart services.

Safe and Sustainable is also launching a young person-friendly summary of the consultation document – ‘Better care for your heart - a summary’ – which is designed to provide easy to read information about the proposals for change.

Fiona Smith, Adviser in children and young people’s nursing at the Royal College of Nursing and a member of the Safe and Sustainable Steering Group, said: “This review is about providing the best services for children and young people. Who better to tell they us what they think than the young people using this service? This is a very real consultation and the NHS wants young people, whether someone with a congenital heart condition, brother, sister or friend, to have their say. The summary launched today is designed specifically for young people and the text service is free of charge so get texting and tell us what you think!”

Responding to the consultation couldn’t be easier with the new text service – young people can text ‘HEART’ to 85001 free of charge and will be sent a question asking them for their view on the proposals for change.

Texting ‘HEART’ is just one of the ways young people can take part in the consultation. Young people have been invited to discussion groups in London, Birmingham and York and will have the chance to attend a number of focus groups around the country.They can also attend any one of the consultation events taking place in 12 locations across England and Wales. Alternatively, they can fill out a response form online or write in to the freepost address at the bottom of the response form.

For a copy of the young person-friendly summary and for further information on the consultation please visit www.specialisedservices.nhs.uk/safeandsustainable.