ADVOCACY WORK
Children in Hospital Ireland has been involved in the planning and development of services, in children’s hospitals for four decades. The organisation is increasingly consulted by staff in children’s units in hospitals throughout the country when renovation or redevelopment is taking place.
Our achievements during the life of the organisation have added in no small measure to the humanisation of the care of the hospitalised child.

Children in Hospital Ireland (CIH) has advocated for the rights of children and young people in health services, and for better support for their parents/carers for over five decades.
Our achievements during the life of the organisation have significantly contributed to enhancements in the care of the hospitalised child. In its early years, CIH advocated for the rights of parents to have unrestricted visiting hours in hospitals, the right of children and young people to access education in hospital and the rights of children to access play while in hospital. We continue to advocate on behalf of children, young people and their families through our programme of education and advocacy.
Children in Hospital Ireland’s concerns and recommendations have been recognised by the Department of Health, medical personnel and other voluntary groups. This recognition has been reflected in the inclusion of a number of significant additions in national guidelines and policies relating to children’s healthcare in Ireland.
CIH utilises the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and of the Charter on Children’s Healthcare developed by the European Association for Children in Hospital (EACH Charter) as the basis for our education and advocacy work.
Our advocacy work draws on research findings and on the knowledge gained by our staff and volunteers through our contact with children, parents and hospital personnel. We participate in and contribute to a wide range of relevant forums relating to children’s healthcare.
CIH facilitates the Network of Childhood Illness Organisations (NCIO) which is a forum for organisations who work with children with specific illnesses. Through this network, CIH can strengthen the reach and impact of our advocacy work.
This survey asked over 300 parents about their out of pocket expenses including travel costs, meals, overnight stays, care of other family members, and whether they have lost income. It also asks about which sources of financial support, if any, they were receiving.
CHILDREN IN HOSPITAL REPORTS INCLUDE…

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The Hidden Cost of Hospital Car Parking for Families Report, August 2022
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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.