Using Art to Amplify Young People's Voices in Healthcare
September 2024
Image: Artist Liv Cleverly depicts young people having their voices heard in healthcare
The UCLH Arts & Heritage team collaborated with the adolescent and young adult rheumatology team on an exciting project aimed at understanding the reasons behind young people missing their hospital appointments. The project aimed to find ways to reduce health inequalities and improve clinic attendance by involving the young people themselves.
The adolescent and young adult rheumatology service at UCLH cares for patients from across the southeast who with conditions such as juvenile arthritis and lupus. These conditions can be particularly challenging for young people, significantly impacting their emotional and physical well-being. Regular check-ups and treatments, such as infusions, are often required at the hospital.
In recent years, the adolescent and young adult rheumatology team observed a notably high rate of non-attendance for clinic appointments, with 10 to 15 percent of young patients missing them. This trend not only affected the quality of care the service could provide but also incurred costs for the NHS and impacted staff morale.
Funded by a Health Foundation grant and led by rheumatologists Dr. Aicha Bouraoui and Professor Debajit Sen, the Pathway to Equity programme was established to identify who is most at risk of non-attendance. It also aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying reasons for non-attendance and to explore potential solutions that could improve both patient care and service efficiency.
Dr Aicha Bouraoui, honorary consultant in adolescent and young adult rheumatology, and lead of the Pathway to Equity programme, stated:
"Non-attendance is a long-standing issue for the NHS, and we wanted to truly understand the reasons amongst young rheumatology patients behind this. I have loved working with both the clinical team and the young people themselves to tease out some of the issues and work together to find solutions to non-attendance."
Image: Artist Liv Cleverly depicts young people having their voices heard in healthcare
The Pathway to Equity team began by focusing on adolescent and young adult rheumatology as well as pediatric outpatient services, with the aim of addressing health inequalities and the psychosocial factors that may hinder children and young people from accessing care. The team engaged young people through a series of workshops at the hospital, which included patients, interns, and other interested young people. The events were co-designed and co-facilitated by the young participants and were known as the 'Hangout Space,' featuring interactive sessions and creative art activities.
London-based artist and designer Liv Cleverley, who specialises in creating illustrations with textured and abstract shapes, was commissioned to create artwork that reflected how young people felt about having their voices heard in healthcare. She reviewed anonymised transcripts from interviews with young rheumatology and general pediatric patients, as well as video footage from the 'Hangout Space,' to accurately depict the reasons behind young people's missed hospital appointments.
Artist Liv Cleverley, shared:
"Working with the UCLH team on the health inequalities project has been a wonderful experience. I felt genuinely honoured to illustrate the inspiring work they're doing, which closely aligns with my own values. Reading about their efforts and connections with the young people meant I had no shortage of inspiration for the illustrations, and it was a pleasure to work with such a dedicated team.
Rachel and Aicha, in particular, brought such passion to the project, which made collaborating with them even more meaningful. I'm so grateful for the opportunity and I hope my illustrations can help engage others in the vital work they’re doing to support young people in healthcare."
About UCLH Arts & Heritage
UCLH Arts & Heritage is the hospital arts and heritage project that serves UCLH NHS Foundation Trust and its surrounding community and is funded entirely by charitable donations and fundraising. UCLH Arts & Heritage is committed to providing a welcoming, uplifting environment for all patients, visitors and staff through the use of a varied and stimulating arts and heritage programme. Its work aims to improve the patient experience, boost staff morale, increase engagement with the arts and celebrate the Trust’s unique heritage and community.
Since 2005, UCLH has worked to improve patient and staff outcomes through the Arts. It does this in a number of ways, including a changing exhibition and music programme, creative workshops on wards, artist residencies, commissioning site-specific artwork, and a staff culture club. UCLH arts and heritage receives its funding from UCLH Charity and the Friends of UCLH.
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