Background: A national project investigated seniors' perceptions of the influences upon their quality of life. The seven participating cities were Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto, Regina, Vancouver and Whitehorse. The project focussed on policy decisions affecting the quality of life of seniors. It was a participatory study in which seniors controlled the direction and shape of the project in each city.Methods: Focus groups and individual interviews with seniors and stakeholders. Data analysis used qualitative methods to see the world through the eyes of participants. Each project was committed to hearing the voices of seniors and their views on which issues were affecting the quality of their lives.Results: Across the seven cities, seniors highlighted access to information, health care, housing, income security, safety and security, social contacts and networks, and transportation as key issues that affect the quality of life of seniors in Canada. Conclusions:The findings affirm the value of participatory activities that involve seniors working with other sectors as a productive policy-informing approach. The Seniors' Quality of Life projects demonstrate the conceptual power of the determinants of health perspective to understand seniors' quality of life issues. While seniors considered health care to be a continuing concern, they also recognized socio-economic issues as significantly affecting the quality of their lives.La traduction du résumé se trouve à la fin de l'article.

Aim The development of a single set of principles to be used by providers and commissioners, across the whole healthcare system wherever a child or young person is seen. The aim is to improve the health outcomes and experiences for children and young people (CYP). Methods A multi-professional team of GPs, Health Visitors, School Nurses, Paediatricians, Public health, Children’s Nurses, patient and family representatives came together over a period of 6 months in a number of facilitated work- shops. CYP and family engagement was central to this work with visits to Children’s Centres, primary and secondary schools to listen to families experiences of health services. A graphic illustrator captured the key messages from each engagement event. The principles were referenced against the Children and Young People’s Outcome Forum Report and the NHS Mandate. Results A set of 6 principles; 1. Child and Family focused 2. Health Promotion 3. Transformation 4. Settings 5. Information and Communication 6. Evidence Based and Sustainable Each principle has an aspirational statement and then indicators to be used to evidence achievement towards a principle. They can be used to assess an existing service or to develop a new service and can be used for a condition across a pathway e.g asthma or for a service e.g. GP practise. The principles have been developed as a single A5 poster for ease of use and are colourful and visual. A postcard has also been developed which summarises the feedback from young people and families but also translates the principles for families so that they know what they can expect from services. Figures 1, 2, 3. Local organisations are encouraged to add their own and healthwatch websites to the postcards to allow continuing feedback from families. Abstract G32 Figure 1 Stillbirths Figures Mbarara Hospital 2012 Abstract G32 Figure 2 Abstract G32 Figure 3 Conclusions The principles define a common language and shared sense of purpose for professionals and families and can be used as a platform of small or large scale change and improvement. They compliment the NHS mandate and the children’s and young person’ s outcome report and sit at the centre of the NHS change model. They are easy to use and flexible and can be used nationally and easily adapted for other services.