European Charter for Children in Hospital

The EACH Charter sets out the rights for all children before, during or after a stay in hospital. The goal of EACH – European Association for Children in Hospital – and its member organisations is to achieve a binding commitment to the implementation of these rights in all European countries.

History of the Charter for Children in Hospital

Beginning in the UK in 1961, voluntary organisations for the welfare of children in hospital were set up in many European countries to advise and support parents/carers and to inform and co-operate with doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. Children in Hospital Ireland was established in 1970.

In 1988, 12 of these organisations met together in Leiden in the Netherlands for the first European Conference and the "Leiden Charter" (now the EACH Charter) was drawn up.

In 2010, the member associations of EACH developed explanatory annotations which were adopted in Brussels in 2001. 

The annotated Charter was endorsed and launched in Ireland by Minister for Children, Mr Brian Lenihan in 2002.  

During his address, Minister Lenihan stressed how Ireland's National Health Strategy and the National Children's Strategy emphasised the importance of timely access to appropriate hospital services for children. He drew attention to how the annotated Charter was an important and timely contribution to the drawing up of guidelines and protocols for the care of children in hospital.

What's happening now

The member associations of EACH continue to pursue the aim of having the principles of the EACH charter incorporated into health legislation, regulations and guidelines in each European country.

The EACH Charter and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)

In 1990, Ireland was a signatory to the UNCRC and is obliged to work towards the implementation of the rights enshrined in this convention.

The 10 principles of the EACH Charter relate in many respects to the rights of the child as stipulated in the UNCRC, as well as to the recognition of children's different emotional and developmental needs, depending on their age.

In particular Article 3 of the UNCRC emphasises the primacy of the child's welfare and to implement this welfare principle requires effective, child-centred services.

The annotated EACH Charter includes a chapter on how the implementation of the Charter results in implementation of many of the articles of the UNCRC.

The text of the annotated EACH Charter can be downloaded through the following link EACH charter.

The EACH Charter Booklet can also be purchased from our shop.