Children’s Hospital Mediation Project Aims to Improve Communication Between Parents and Healthcare Providers

The Evelina London Children’s Hospital has reportedly instituted a new mediation project aimed at improving communication between parents and healthcare providers.  The Evelina Resolution Project trains hospital staff how to identify potential conflicts and triggers, rebuild trust, consider the perspective of a patient’s parents, and manage stress.  The program also allows both parents and hospital staff to request mediation services when a disagreement over a child’s care arises.

The goal of the project is to:

• create a culture in which conflict between parents and health professionals is recognised, managed and resolved quickly.
• provide a safety net for patients, families and staff to help make sure the focus of attention remains the interests of the child NOT the conflict.

Since June 2013, at least 300 direct care workers at the hospital have completed specialized dispute resolution training as part of the project.  Hospital physicians are scheduled to begin mediation training in the near future.  More information regarding the project is available from the Medical Mediation Foundation.