YEAR 10 student Sofia Fedeczko is helping to shape the future of Greater Manchester’s health services for young people.

Sofia, age 15, has spent the last 18 months as a delegate on a Teen Talk advisory panel, set up by Central Manchester and Manchester Children’s University Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Trust is overseeing the largest single investment ever to take place in Greater Manchester’s hospitals, the £420m project to create a new children’s hospital, as well as new facilities for Manchester Royal Infirmary, St. Mary’s Hospital for Women and Children and Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. The project will be completed in the next five years.

Sofia became involved with the group whilst being treated at the hospital. She is one of 10 young people involved in the Teen Talk group, which meets once a month, and aims to ensure that the opinions of young people are heard by hospital managers.

The Teen Talk group have provided guidance on patient safety and food standards, as well as undertaking a survey of young patients and speaking at regional and national conferences.

Said Sofia: “It is essential that the voices of young patients are heard during what is a very important time for children’s health services in Greater Manchester.”