ADVOCACY WORK
Children in Hospital Ireland has been involved in the planning and development of services, in children’s hospitals for over five decades.
In the early years, CIH Ireland advocated for recognition of the right of parents to stay with their child in hospital, for visiting times to be extended, and for the facilitation of visits by siblings and other family members. We urged that children’s units be provided in all general hospitals where children were being treated and that these units be staffed by personnel with paediatric training. CIH Ireland also promoted the right of children to have access to education while in hospital and the need to develop hospital play specialist services.

Today, CIH Ireland continues to advocate and consult with policymakers and hospital management on behalf of children in hospital and their families. CIH Ireland continues to draw attention to the importance of providing opportunities for play and recreation for children and young people in hospital, the positive role which play and recreation can have in recovering from illness and the need for increased provision of hospital play specialist services.
Today the organisation is still actively lobbying for the welfare of all sick children and their families. There is still a lot to do, so join us to make hospital a happier place for children.
CHILDREN IN HOSPITAL REPORTS INCLUDE…

- Why Play in Hospital Matters, October 2022
- Budget 2023 Analysis, October 2022
- The Hidden Cost of Hospital Car Parking for Families Report, August 2022
- Submission to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, August 2022
- Budget 2023 submission, August 2022
- Oireachtas Social Protection Committee Budget 2023 submission, July 2022
- Play in Hospital survey, February 2022
- Submission to the Public Consultation on the next National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, February 2022
- Submission to the Public Consultation on the EU Child Guarantee, January 2022
- Submission to the consultation on the Draft Overarching National Standards for the Care and Support of Children using Health and Social Care Services, October 2021
- Budget 2022 submission, August 2021
- Submission to the Joint Committee on Disability Matters, November 2020
- Future_of_Healthcare_Submission to the Oireachtas on the future of healthcare, 2016
- Submission from CHI to the Executive and Board of the National Paediatric Hospital March 2009/2014 – Submission to, An Bord Pleanala for the National Children’s Hospital
- The Twenty Eighth Amendment to the Constitution – to The Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children , January 2008.
- Submission to Department of Health and Children For Inclusion in Department’s Statement of Strategy, 2008-2010. Health Service Reforms: the Implications for Children, Mary O’Connor, March 2006.
- Submission to the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women’s Rights on The Disability Bill 2004, November 2004.
- Submission to Establish the Health Information and Quality Authority incorporating the Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services, 2001.