Charlie's Army
Charlie was an 18 year old adult with complex medical needs. She had dreams of becoming an actress. Within a short time of her first and only admission to hospital as an adult she decided she wanted to be taken to her hospice to die so she did.
We believe that the law needs to change to compel the construction of a nationwide service for adolescents transitioning to adulthood who have complex medical needs and cover those needs during the first decade of their adult care.
The Boudiccae
The Boudiccae was written by Dr Andrew Williams, a Paediatrician and playwright who wrote the play to encourage professionals to connect with families' stories and encourage empathy and compassion.
He had intended that due to her dream of becoming an actress Charlie would take a lead role; her story about the difficulties of transition into adult care is included in the performance.
Now a film, The Boudiccae follows the journey of four children with disabilities and their families. A news report was broadcast on the BBC to highlight the work that Dr Williams, director Darren White and the film company Rig Film Productions have developed to help raise awareness of transition for young people with complex medical needs and to encourage compassion and reflection amongst health professionals.
The report can be viewed here
The day after the BBC broadcast, Ms Victoria Prentis MP promised to invite the families to a showing of the film at the Houses of Parliament. Because of Charlie's story, she promised to look again at the issue of transitional care for adults with complex medical needs and whether legislation is the only way forward to ensure this effectively happens.
Charlie's story really matters, and with this we have a chance to really lead to meaningful long term positive change for the care offered to these yo ung adults. We would strongly encourage readers of this article to view the BBC Broadcast on the Facebook page of RigFilm Productions (linked above) and to most strongly encourage others to do so.
Though the creation of this film, and raising awareness, Dr Williams aims to make a difference through social media pressure in improving care for young adults with complex needs.
You can watch The Boudiccae Below
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Dr Andrew N. Williams, Consultant community paediatrician WellChild 2015 Doctor Award Winner
Email address [email protected]
Acknowledgements
The film was produced by RIG Film Productions. The script was devised by Andrew N. Williams and the screenplay written by Andrew N. Williams and Darren White.
The director is Darren White. Northampton General Hospital Charitable Funds, Waitrose Community Fund (2 appeals), the Virtual Academic Unit and an anonymous donor funded the film.