A visit or stay in hospital can be worrying, especially if you and your child have not been separated before.

For your child, hospital is a new experience. The sights, sounds, smells and people in different clothes, are unfamiliar. Your child and you will need some preparation for this experience. If you have specific concerns or questions you can contact us for support. Don't forget that you can also work with the hospital staff to make your child's stay as happy as possible.

This section has information and advice that will help you cope with some of the situations you may meet.

Included in the CHI Parent Advice Booklet is:

• A reading list for parents/carers and children of all ages
• Information on when to prepare your child for a hospital visit
• Practical hints on what may make it easier for yourself during the stay
• A do's and don'ts list about day-care
• What may arise when your child is home again

Buy the Parent Advice Booklet online

 

Research and Reports

Children in Hospital Ireland has over the years, carried out  research on various aspects of the care of sick children.
 

Play Facilities for Child Patients in Irish Hospitals 

In 1993 we carried out a national survey on Play Facilities for Child Patients in Irish Hospitals. The comprehensive report issued following on from this survey covers all aspects of the delivery of play in hospital. The findings continue to provide the basis of our ongoing campaign - The Hospital Play Campaign - to bring about an improvement in this area.
 

Children Being Cared for in Adult Wards

This issue has been a concern for CHI for many years. 

In May 1999, Children in Hospital Ireland launched a report on the findings of a research project on Children being cared for in adult wards. This research identified the extent to which children are nursed with adults and how the practice impacted on child patients up to the age of 18 years. The findings of this research have helped the organisation further one of its primary aims "…that no child should be cared for in an adult ward". (Article 8, Children in Hospital Ireland Charter for Children in Hospital).

This work formed the basis of our contribution to a Europe-wide research project being conducted in the then 16 member countries of the European Association for Children in Hospital (EACH). The report was presented at the EACH international meeting in November 1999, in Milan. See the Children in Adult Wards report. This report is available from the CHI shop.

The Guidelines for the Care of Adolescents in Hospital

CHI researched the needs of young people in hospital in 1995 and subsequently published Guidelines for the Care of Adolescents in Hospital . Arising from the publication of this document and from the findings of the research into children being cared-for in adult wards, Children in Hospital Ireland has campaigned for changes in present practice and to highlight the special needs of Adolescent Patients. The work continues to this day, with CHI advocating that all children up to the age of 18 years should be cared for in facilities that are appropriate for their age. The Guidelines for the Care of Adolescents in Hospital is available from the CHI shop.

Guidelines for the Care of Children with Special Needs in Hospital

In collaboration and consultation with the major voluntary organisations representing the views of parents and professional bodies, CHI researched and published Guidelines for the Care of Children with Special Needs in Hospital in 2002. These guidelines are to help all those who care for children with special needs in hospitals, institutions and care centres and to help improve the quality of any stay in hospital for children whose special needs include a variety of sensory, physical and intellectual disabilities, together with long-term conditions.

Because children with special needs can be admitted to hospital for reasons other than their primary disorder, the needs of their underlying condition should be considered without diverting priority from their presenting. It is recommended that these guidelines be used in conjunction with the EACH Charter for Children in Hospital and CHI's Outline Guide: Provision of Healthcare Services for Children and Adolescents.

This booklet is available from the CHI shop.

Sick Children, Money Worries (2004)

This research-based report highlights the serious financial difficulties and other strains experienced by many parents, resulting from their children's hospitalisation. The research, commissioned by CHI, was carried out by Eithne Fitzgerald, of the Allwrite Social and Economic Research, and funded by Combat Poverty.

This report is available from the CHI shop.

 

The Hospital PlayLink - Play in Hospital Everywhere!

This offers practical suggestions to assist hospital staff working with children in a variety of settings. It has been compiled by the Irish Association of Hospital Play Staff and CHI. Also covered under "Help Children Play" page.  Please click on this link to download it: Hospital Play Information