The first Scottish Children’s Health Week!
Ronald McDonald House Glasgow was delighted to take part in the first Scottish Children’s Health Week, run by Children’s Health Scotland.
As a charity that helps seriously ill children by supporting their families, we welcomed the opportunity to raise awareness of the European Association for Children in Hospital (EACH) Charter.
The EACH Charter recognises and endorses the rights of the child as stipulated in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and in particular the key principle that, in all situations, the best interests of the child should prevail.
What happened during the week?
The Scottish Children’s Health Week ran from the 31 August to 6 September, providing fun and colourful ways to celebrate children’s rights. With a new theme every day, children were supported and encouraged to be:
• Active
• Brave
• Calm
• Happy
• Friendly
• Kind
• Helpful
We promoted these activities through our social media platforms. We encouraged people to look up the EACH Charter and learn more about children’s rights. A beautiful activity book provided lots of inspiration and learning too. We are really looking forward to Scottish Children’s Health Week 2021!!
There are ten main points to the EACH Charter:
1. Children shall be admitted to hospital only if the care they require cannot be equally well provided at home or on a day basis. (Relates to UNCRC Article 24)
2. Children in hospital shall have the right to have their parents or parent substitute with them at all times. (Relates to UNCRC Articles 3; 9; 18)
3. Accommodation should be offered to all parents and they should be helped and encouraged to stay. Parents should not need to incur additional costs or suffer loss of income. (Relates to UNCRC Articles 3; 9; 18)
4. Children and parents shall have the right to be informed in a manner appropriate to age and understanding. (Relates to UNCRC Articles 5; 12; 18)
5. Children and parents have the right to informed participation in all decisions involving their healthcare. (Relates to UNCRC Articles 5; 12; 17)
6. Children shall be cared for together with children who have the same developmental needs and shall not be admitted to adult wards. (Relates to UNCRC Article 3)
7. Children shall have full opportunity for play, recreation and education suited to their age and condition and shall be in an environment designed and furnished, staffed and equipped to meet their needs. (Relates to UNCRC Articles 3; 29; 31)
8. Children shall be cared for by staff whose training and skills enable them to respond to the physical, emotional and developmental needs of children and families. (Relates to UNCRC Article 2; 19; 25)
9. Continuity of care should be ensured by the team caring for children. (Relates to UNCRC Article 19)
10. Children shall be treated with tact and understanding and their privacy shall be respected at all times. (Relates to UNCRC Articles 16; 19; 29; 30)
