YOUNG people had a chance to have their say on health services last week as part of the Children’s Commissioner Takeover Day.

The annual event gives young people an opportunity to work with professionals within an organisation and be involved in the decision making process.

This year Wychavon District Council hosted a joint event with Healthwatch Worcestershire, the NHS Health Promotion Team and Worcestershire’s Council for Voluntary Youth Services (WCVYS) to expand the range of topics for young people get involved in.

Sixteen students attended the event from Pershore High School and South Worcestershire College in Evesham and learnt about the Wychavon Youth Bus, what health services are available to them including information and advice about sexual health.

They also considered how social media is affecting people’s relationships and they planned out how services could be better promoted and marketed to raise awareness to under 18’s.

Alex Dobell, aged 17, from Pershore High School, said: "An informative day that allowed discussion for important issues among young people."

Peter Pinfield, chairman of Healthwatch Worcestershire, also joined the students.

He said: "The students gave us some great ideas about how we can get young people involved in our work and the best ways for us to be communicating with them.

"They also gave us a good insight into some of the barriers young people face in accessing health services. This included difficulties in making appointments with GPs, the lack of walk in services available and wanting some services in a less clinical environment."