Participation in Healthcare: the Views and Experiences of Children and Young People

Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child provides for the child's right to be heard and to be involved in decisions made about him/her. Effective implementation of the provision can have a lasting impact on children's lives but it presents challenges, especially in areas like healthcare where the dynamics and pressures of the healthcare setting and the role of parents influence proceedings. Research involving children shows that their experience in this area is mixed, although they have a clear sense of the importance of being listened to about their healthcare and how their treatment can be improved. The similarities between children's opinions on what they want from the healthcare experience and what Article 12 and the Convention generally set out to achieve is reassuring and presents a strong template as to how to strengthen the protection of children's rights in the healthcare setting.