$2 million for Juiced TV to boost health literacy across Queensland

• Miles Government commits $2 million to Juiced TV to boost world-first health literacy program for Queensland kids and their families across all 16 Hospital and Health Services.
• Juiced app users can watch episodes of Juiced TV with access to its health literacy library to be rolled out across the state.
• The content is "made by kids for kids” starring young patients who share their hospital journey.
• This follows the recent opening of the new Juiced Studio at the Children’s Hospital earlier this year.

More Queensland children will have access to Juiced TV as it expands its health literacy content to every Hospital and Health Service (HHS) across the state.

The Miles Government’s $2 million commitment over the next four years will expand Juiced TV’s reach across Queensland to deliver tailored content that meets the unique needs of regional and remote health services.

Accessed through the Juiced app, the educational resources bring together entertainment and education in an interactive way to improve the hospital journey for kids and families.

The health literacy library will contain videos that are relevant to each region such as ‘meet your healthcare team’, helping to put a friendly face to doctors they might meet, to content on how to choose healthy foods. Each video is presented by a Queensland kid with hospitals or HHSs able to customise their video playlists to be relevant to their region and patients.  

Improving health literacy supports kids and their faimiles to better understand their conditions, treatments and care teams.

Juiced TV has been improving the hospital experience for thousands of kids in Queensland paediatric wards since it launched at the Queensland Children’s Hospital in 2015.

Founded to entertain and distract young patients, it empowers them to star in their own TV show and share their hospital journey in a positive and inspiring way.

The expansion to HHSs across the state follows the recent opening of Juiced Studio earlier this year, providing a dedicated space for filming and creating interactive experiences with young patients and their families. 

Over the past nine years, more than 5,500 patients and families have been part of Juiced TV which has broadcast more than 1,000 episodes and 70,000 hours of content to bedsides via the QCH patient entertainment system and mobile app.

Link to educational resource videos here.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Women, Shannon Fentiman:

“We know that being in hospital, especially for long periods of time, can be daunting, confusing, and not a very fun experience for kids.

“For almost a decade, Juiced TV has brought positivity and fun to our paediatric wards – and I’m so excited that even more young Queenslanders and their families will soon have access.

“The expansion of Juiced TV across the state means more children and their families can access will entertain and educate children and their families – especially in rural and remote parts of our state, while improving their overall hospital experience.

“Our Government is absolutely committed to delivering world class care for all Queenslanders, no matter where they live.”

Quotes attributable to Juiced TV Founder and CEO, Pip Forbes: 

"We’re incredibly thankful for this support from the Queensland Government, which will allow us to bring greater health literacy and equity to children right across the state.

"After nine amazing years of making a difference through entertainment, we’re now ready to expand our educational offering to all 16 Hospital and Health Services in Queensland.

"We’re excited to not only keep kids entertained while they’re in hospital, but also provide them with educational content that’s engaging and relatable – because it’s hosted by another kid who’s walked in their shoes."

Quotes attributable to Children’s Health Queensland Chief Executive Frank Tracey:

“We’re proud to have hosted Juiced TV at the Queensland Children’s Hospital for the past nine years, watching it grow and expand across the state. We are excited for this next step for Juiced.”

“We have seen firsthand the benefits of having an in-house production team and studio, creating educational resources. When a family is touched by serious childhood illness or injury, support services and entertainment programs like Juiced TV are vital to enhancing the healing environment to help kids get better and go home sooner.

“Children’s Health Queensland is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people through world-class care, and our strong partnerships help us do that.

“Juiced TV is a long-term and valued partner who helps us continue to be innovative, to dream big, and to partner with staff and families.”

ENDS