For Parents

Supporting parents.

For Parents

Supporting parents.

Children in Hospital Ireland supports parents before, during and after a child's hospital stay.

Children in Hospital Ireland works with families on any difficulties or concerns they may have before, during and after a child’s stay in hospital. We have many years experience working with parents and we know how difficult a child’s hospitalisation is for all the family.

We advise and inform on how to prepare children for hospital from our office and we welcome your queries. We will do our utmost to help you. For support, please contact us +353-1-290-3510 or email info@childreninhospital.ie.

In hospital:

Children in Hospital Ireland volunteers provide play services in 13 hospitals across Ireland to entertain and reassure your child and allow you to take some time for a coffee, shower or a short nap. All our volunteers are vetted and trained, and have a genuine passion for their work. They offer a high quality service and you can be assured they will do their best to help you and your child.

Online:

Watch this space – soon we will have our blog page up and running where you can share your experience with other parents and health professionals.

A pocket guide for children, parents and carers: I am going to Hospital!

What parents say about our services…

“We were absolutely thrilled to see the children’s play area..My two children are extremely active and have a tendency to run about…The play area has meant that I could leave my little daughter in the very capable and trustworthy hands of the Children in Hospital Volunteers. This gave me and the entire waiting room great peace and let me concentrate on the task in hand – my little boy’s eyes.”

Alex from

Co Dublin.

“My six-year-old daughter had a brief stay recently for a broken arm operation and was delighted with the playroom provided. The volunteers were fantastic; their focus on the children and the warmth they showed them was wonderful to see. Hospital can obviously be very stressful for both children and parents and the medical staff don’t have the resources to spend a lot of time with them. Your volunteers fill that gap superbly. If there was a little more of that kindness practised in the outside world what a better place it would be”.

Sean from

Cork.

“My two-year-old daughter had an appointment in Outpatients yesterday. I had been dreading it as I remember her appointment last year and what a nightmare it was trying to keep her amused for several hours in the waiting room. Yesterday, however, was a different story. There were two lovely ladies there organising activities. It was really great and made such a difference to us – it is a fantastic service and must be brilliant for parents who have to visit the hospital regularly.”

Helena from

Dublin .

“I would like to acknowledge our gratitude to the CHI volunteers for their time and efforts in helping the sick children at the hospital. Their kindness and care with the children alleviates a lot of the stress that children and their families experience during their stay in hospital. For many years, CHI volunteers have made this hospital a happier place for children.”

Director of Nursing

Children's Hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be able to stay with my child - beside her bed - overnight?

All hospitals where children are treated are now aware that a child in hospital needs support from a parent/familiar person. You should not have any difficulty but it would be a good idea to contact the ward before your child is admitted to find out what facilities are available. You will get further details in the ‘Prepare Yourself’ section in our Parent Advice Booklet and read Point 2 in the Charter for Children in Hospital.

How much will it cost me to stay in the hospital with my child?

Children in Hospital Ireland believes parents should not have to incur any extra costs when their child is in hospital. However, as there are no overall guidelines relating to this, we have recommended to the Department of Health and Children that it adopts the Charter for Children in Hospital. At present, some hospitals have charges for parents’ facilities; these vary from hospital to hospital so you will have to check with the hospital where your child is being admitted. If there are charges and you have a difficulty with them – let the staff know and contact CHI for help. For further information, please see the ‘Prepare Yourself’ section in our Parent Advice Booklet and read Point 3 in the Charter for Children in Hospital.

Do I have to bring a flask and sandwiches to the hospital?

Most hospitals have canteen facilities which are available to families staying with a child. There are also vending machines in most hospitals. It certainly should not be necessary for you to bring your own food in with you, except perhaps if you have specific dietary requirements. Please call the ward and find out the opening hours of the canteen and whether there are facilities for parents to make tea or coffee on it. For further information, please see the ‘Prepare Yourself’ section in our Parent Advice Booklet and read Point 3 in the Charter for Children in Hospital.

Are parents allowed to go to the hospital theatre with their child?

At present, whether parents can accompany their child to theatre or to the anaesthetic room is dependant on the individual hospital – there are no overall rules for this. Children in Hospital Ireland’s Charter recommends that children have the right to have a parent or parent substitute with them at all times but you will have to check what is the practice in your hospital.

For further information, please see the ‘Prepare Yourself’ section in our Parent Advice Booklet and read Point 2 in the Charter for Children in Hospital.

I don't understand what is going to happen to my child - how can I find out?

It is important that you do understand what will happen to your child as you will be the best person to help them get through the experience. The more you can explain the better. It is hard to take in details – especially if you are a bit upset yourself – so take time to write things down and keep asking until you are sure that you have it right.

For further information, please see the “Introduction” and “Questions you want to ask the doctor or other staff” sections in our Parent Advice Booklet and read Points 5 and 6 in the Charter for Children in Hospital

My son had his tonsils out. Now that we are home again I thought that things would get back to normal, but my little boy is still very upset and has bad dreams most nights - what can I do to make it better?

Children of all ages can have some difficulties when they come home from hospital. This is normal and will usually pass in a short time. Our Parent Advice Booklet offers some suggestions on how to help your child get back to normal.

For further information, please see the “Going Home” and “Home Again” sections in our Parent Advice Booklet.

My baby is going into hospital for a test next month - what can I do to prepare him/her?

Introducing hospital play to children as part of their ordinary play is a good way for children to learn about hospital. This can include dressing up and playing doctors and nurses with teddies, friends or mum or dad as patients. There are also lots of very colourful picture books available in libraries and bookshops which you can read with your child.

For further information, please see our Parent Advice section and ‘When to Prepare’ and ‘Preparing your Child for Hospital’ parts in particular. You could also have a look at our reading list on this website.

Will the nurses and doctors think I'm stupid if I cannot remember what they tell me and I have to ask a few times?

Having a child in hospital is very stressful and difficult for all of the family. It is a good idea to write down your questions and make a note of the answers so that you have something to look at later. If you don’t understand the answer or forget what you were told, ask again. You have a right to information and it must be given to you in a way that you can understand.
Please see our Parent Advice section in general and the “Introduction” & “Questions you want to ask the doctor or other staff” parts in particular. See also the Charter for Children in Hospital: points 5 and 6.

Do you have any advice on what to do if you think the person looking after your child is not treating them with respect?

The needs and rights of children in hospital are well understood by staff caring for sick children. However, if you have a concern about how a particular person is dealing with your child, don’t be afraid to express it. It is better to solve problems at an early stage. Children in Hospital Ireland is here to help should the need arise.

Please see our Parent Advice Booklet in general and the “A Word of Caution” part in particular. See also the Charter for Children in Hospital: points 8, 9 &10.

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Preparing for Hospital

Better prepared = less stressed

A hospital visit, whether a clinic appointment or a longer stay, is always stressful.

Here are a few useful tips to help you prepare for hospital with your child. Parents and children who prepare for hospital are likely to have their anxiety allayed. The Children in Hospital Ireland Parent Advice Booklet is available to buy and contains help and advice.

Prepare your child

If your child knows what is happening it will make it easier for everyone. As your child is growing up you can gently introduce the idea of hospitals into play. If children are familiar with hospitals through play it will help if they ever have to visit one.

When a hospital visit is necessary, there are simple ‘tried and tested’ ways in which you can help your child cope:

Talk about hospital as a cheerful place where doctors and nurses help to make people better.
Play doctors and nurses.
Read hospital stories.
Reassure your child that you will be there as much as possible, and that he or she will be coming home.

There are some further steps you can take which will help you to support your child:

Ask your doctor about the treatment to be given so that you can explain simply what will happen.
Explain about x-rays, injections, blood tests or any other treatment they may have. Keep explanations simple but … tell the truth!

Prepare yourself

Parents also need to prepare for going to the hospital with a child. Again these simple tips may help to make the experience easier:

Find out as much as you can about the hospital. Check for its advice leaflet.

Check:

Accommodation
Use of canteen
Any costs involved with staying overnight
Organise relatives and friends to look after the rest of the family.
Wear light clothes – (hospitals can be very warm)
Bring something to pass the time.
Be considerate of others, don’t make noise at night.
Don’t give any child food or drink, without permission.

In Hospital

In the hospital and on the wards, the following ideas can help make things run smoothly:

Bring a favourite toy or blanket (no matter how scruffy) and soother or bottle (if used).
Tell the nurse and doctors special names your child may have for food, the potty etc.
Help with everyday care of your child.
Explain what is going to happen during examinations and injections (find out beforehand).
Your child will need you especially before and after an operation.
Reassurance and lots of love is often the most important medicine.
Encourage your child to get involved with the other children, and in the hospital playgroup.
Also, remember to talk about and give and news from home to your child.

Remember to look after yourself! It is important that you take regular breaks and that you rest.

Always tell your child you are taking a little break, going for a walk, a cup of coffee or whatever.
Say when you will be back, and
Return when you say you will.
If you cannot stay all the time, organise friends and relatives to visit.

Going Home

At last you are going home! There are still some things that you will have to check out.

Before leaving the hospital, make sure you know all about your child’s after-care.
Write down instructions about food, medicine etc.
Check the date and time of the follow up visit.
Don’t worry if your child is difficult and demanding at home; this is normal and will soon pass.
Talk and play about the hospital experience – talking, playing games and drawing and painting pictures can help you child come to terms with having been in hospital.

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For Parents

Supporting parents.

For Parents

Supporting parents.

Children in Hospital Ireland supports parents before, during and after a child's hospital stay.

In hospital:

Online:

What parents say about our services…

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be able to stay with my child - beside her bed - overnight?

How much will it cost me to stay in the hospital with my child?

Do I have to bring a flask and sandwiches to the hospital?

Are parents allowed to go to the hospital theatre with their child?

I don't understand what is going to happen to my child - how can I find out?

My son had his tonsils out. Now that we are home again I thought that things would get back to normal, but my little boy is still very upset and has bad dreams most nights - what can I do to make it better?

My baby is going into hospital for a test next month - what can I do to prepare him/her?

Will the nurses and doctors think I'm stupid if I cannot remember what they tell me and I have to ask a few times?

Do you have any advice on what to do if you think the person looking after your child is not treating them with respect?

Section

Preparing for Hospital

Better prepared = less stressed

Prepare your child

Prepare yourself

In Hospital

Going Home

Section

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