HELP for families across Grampian (Health Equity + Learning Project)

The Health Equity + Learning Project (HELP) sought to identify barriers that Aberdeenshire families face in attending healthcare appointments for their children, particularly those who have to attend regularly.  As one of the routes to address child poverty, the project explores the lived experience of families living rurally and how that geography can impact access to healthcare.  Annette Johnston, Tackling Poverty and Inequality, Aberdeenshire Council and Marjorie Johnston, Specialist Doctor, NHS Grampian applied for, and were granted, funding through the Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund through Scottish Government. 

The project focussed on the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH) but, understandably, a variety of health settings have been mentioned.  The project began in October 2024 with a time frame of 18 months.

The project had input from:

• A lived experience, expert, panel of families living in Aberdeenshire facilitated by Agnese Carter, Poverty Rights Worker, Aberdeenshire Council meeting monthly March 2025 – March 2026
• Individual families who wished to share their experiences
• Aberdeenshire Council staff who work with and support families
• NHS Grampian staff, over a variety of roles
• Third sector and community groups who work with and support families
• The HELP board consisting of a combination of Aberdeenshire Council and NHS Grampian staff from a range of roles in both organisations
• Young people supported by Rachel Lewis, Youth Poverty Engagement Worker
• People sharing barriers at meetings attended with the Poverty Alliance
• Themes as identified by Healthcare Improvement Scotland in their engagement work

This report (pdf) brings together a wide range of insights from across Aberdeenshire with the project supporting families Grampian wide. The comments highlight the realities faced by families — particularly those caring for children with complex needs — when trying to access healthcare appointments. 

There has been a variety of feedback and this report focusses on what people have identified as issues – areas that need to be addressed, with some suggested solutions.  We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to HELP.