Seeing the Person, Not Just the Patient: The Power of Youth Work

Seeing the Person, Not Just the Patient: The Power of Youth Work

In this episode of Don’t Say the Q Word, we hear from Donna Hilton, youth service manager at Nottingham Children’s Hospital, who has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours. Donna reflects on her 27-year journey leading one of the NHS’s pioneering hospital youth services, supporting young people with long-term conditions to build confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging. Through powerful real-life stories, Donna shares the impact of creating safe, supportive spaces within hospital walls—and why helping young people feel heard can be truly life-changing.

Sixteen and Suddenly Fighting- A teenager's cancer story

In Episode 3 we meet Nottingham Children’s Hospital patient, Ella Davey and her mum Emma. Ella was just 16 and about to start her year 10 GCSE mock exams when she woke up one morning white as a ghost. She went for what she thought would be a simple blood test only to be admitted to hospital within hours. Ella found herself on Ward E39, the teenage cancer ward, beginning a journey she and her family never expected

Bonus Dementia awareness week episode: “My Granny is Changing”

Bonus Dementia awareness week episode: “My Granny is Changing” In this bonus episode, sisters Amy and Laura reflect on their grandmother’s dementia journey and the lasting impact it had on their family. Over 10 years on from her diagnosis of vascular dementia, the sisters return to B47, one of the healthcare for older patients wards at Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC). They remember fondly the care their Gran received and the fun she had on the ward and how those little moments made such a difference. They share how grief lingered long after her passing, and how Amy’s new children’s book, My Granny is Changing, has helped them process that grief and hope it will help others too.

Episode 2: Refined by time, not defined by it

Episode 2 introduces Beth Carey, a highly specialist geriatric physiotherapist at NUH. Beth’s passion for caring for older patients is a joy to hear. She shares the extraordinary conversations she has at work — from former pit workers who still carry coal fragments intheir hands, to a retired naval officer involved in covert operations during the Korean War. Beth believes we should all be able to stay energetic wellinto our 90s and beyond, and is passionate that age should never be a reason for someone to be written off — not just physically, but for the stories they hold and the contributions they’ve made to history.

Episode 1: A day in the life of a hospital

In the first episode, which was recorded and filmed on the Trust’s 20th anniversary, April 1, we get a real flavour of a day in the life of a hospital. Hosted in the busy D floor restaurant at Queen's Medical Centre (QMC), we hear from a deputy sister turned patient who is thankful for the care she has had after kidney failure from a rare autoimmune disease; the meet and greet volunteer who is giving back after a grandchild was saved; the Easter vistors who delivered a thousand Easter eggs to the Children's Hospital in their Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Fire Engine; and our CEO who admits he can't remember his first aid training so he'll leave it to the professionals!