Youth invited to pizza night at TUH to help shape better care

Does pineapple belong on a pizza? 

Townsville University Hospital is asking young people aged between 15 to 25 to help solve this burning question and talk to the health service about how it can do better at meeting the needs of younger patients. 

Marli Haller, 18, who has non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, a chronic lung condition, has been a patient at TUH since she was a child. 

“I think the pizza night is a great way for young people who have had an experience with the hospital to share what’s done well and what’s not,” she said. 

“Sometimes young people get overlooked because we’re younger and more naïve. 

“A lot of the doctors and nurses are so used to seeing adults walk through the doors that their bedside manner and demeanour doesn’t really change when it comes to younger people. 

“I’m an adult, but I didn’t leave my childhood behind that long ago.” 

Part of paediatric endocrinologist Dr Jason Yates’ job is to transition his young patients with diabetes out of children’s services and into adult care. 

“While we have well-defined services for children and adults, this in-between group often feels left out,” he said. 

“Adolescents and young people are unique and, when it comes to hospitals, the best analogy is square peg, round hole. 

“Young people in adult wards are often spoken to in an inappropriate way for where they’re at in life and we need to do better at listening to them and designing services with them that better meet their needs.” 

Dr Yates encouraged young people to attend the hospital’s pizza’s night and share their views about how the health service could learn from young people. 

“We know we have to do better at listening to our young patients and we’d love to see them and hear their views,” he said. 

“This is the start of the ongoing conversation about how we can best deliver care to young people in our community.” 

The pizza night will be held from 5pm to 6.30pm at Townsville University Hospital on Thursday 17 April. 

Participants will also receive a gift card. 

To register click the link, email townsvillehhs-engagement@health.qld.gov.au, or call 4433 0939.