JustBeingCP

Being a patient of the NHS and standing up for young people who are unable to speak out and be heard within the NHS has been a privilege during the last 29 years.

A few years ago, I was a member of the NHS England youth forum which was at the time ran by the British Council.

During my time on the forum, I advocated for children and young people with disabilities to get the support they needed, especially when it came to mental health services.

As someone who lives with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus I have been a lifelong patient of our wonderful health service and I am incredibly grateful for all the support healthcare professionals have given me over the years

July 5th 2026 marks the 78 birthday of our wonderful NHS and to be a part of it as both an advocate and patient has been incredible.

Many of us take for granted the support we are given by this incredible institution as the citizens of other countries across the world have to pay for this privilege.

Today I have a clear but simple message for the children and young people currently receiving care from healthcare professionals across the country and it is this.

“ As a patient of our health service, you have every right to stand up and be heard by the professionals who are leading your care at every level of it”.

“Always ensure that you have a voice and that is because you will ensure that your care is patient centred at every level regardless of who you are dealing with”

“ I ensured that my care was patient centred as soon as I was old enough to advocate for myself and that is a decision that I do not regret nor would have changed”.

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Thank you to each and everyone of those who was involved and still is involved in my care, your hard work and dedication towards ensuring that I am able to live my best life has not gone unnoticed and is of course very much appreciated.

Finally thank you to each and everyone of you my regular loyal readers and social media followers who continually take the time out of your busy schedules to read my latest posts, as always it does not go unnoticed and is very much appreciated

Happy 78th birthday, NHS.

Cam