New Children's Hospital
Press Statement
6 July 2011
Children in Hospital Ireland welcomes endorsement for the new children’s hospital from the International Expert Review Group.
Children in Hospital Ireland (CHI) today welcomed the publication of the International Expert Review Group’s Report on the new children’s hospital project. The organisation commended both Minister Reilly’s decision to commission the review and independent international experts who comprehensively and speedily completed the task.
Mary O’Connor, Chief Executive of CHI today said “With universal agreement on the need for a new hospital, there is a pressing need to ensure the development timetable remains on target. The Development Board must now progress the project to the next phase – submission of plans to An Bord Pleanála – without delay”.
“Sick children and their families will benefit greatly from the new hospital.
- All services will be provided under one roof – no more ferrying between hospitals.
- There will be appropriate environments with play and educational facilities for patients from 0 to 18 years of age – for the first time teens will be able to be teens when in hospital.
- Parents and families will benefit from appropriate facilities and supports – the mattress on the floor will become a memory.
- Shared care and outreach programmes will mean children will be cared for closer to home – shorter hospital stays will be facilitated with local supports.
- A new model of Paediatric Care will be put in place for the whole country – the new hospital will be a hub for education and improving delivery of services nationally.
- Co-location will stimulate the creation of new protocols and processes to facilitate the transition from children’s to adult services.”
O’Connor continues “Children in Hospital Ireland is confident that the findings of the report will finally allay concerns on the suitability of the chosen location. It’s now time for all parties to unite to ensure the new children’s hospital will be the best in the world, and will become a reality in the shortest possible time.”
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