Development of National Policy on Child-friendly Healthcare & inter-sectoral alliances all key to Children’s Rights in Health

The Ombudsman for Children’s Office and the HSE have published separate but complementary documents about children’s rights in healthcare settings today, Universal Children’s Day, Wed, 20th November, (Anniversary of UN General Assembly adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989).

The research commissioned by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office was undertaken by University College Cork. The overall aim of the research has been to identify how child-friendly healthcare and a culture of respect for children’s rights in healthcare settings can be further progressed in Ireland. The research identifies a number of ‘building blocks’ that can support the implementation of child-friendly healthcare across healthcare settings in Ireland.

The Ombudsman for Children said: “This research and the fact that the HSE is developing a National Charter for Children are particularly timely as we are working towards a new National Children’s Hospital, and follows on from the public’s decision to strengthen children’s rights in the Constitution. It is very important that the principle of best interests helps shape the way health services are delivered to children and their families.

“Among other things, the research undertaken by Prof Ursula Kilkelly and Prof Eileen Savage for my Office highlights the importance of leadership at different levels of the healthcare system, the value of developing national policy on child-friendly healthcare, and the need to foster inter-sectoral alliances.

Emily Logan added: “Healthcare is an issue that affects every child in Ireland and their families. For many children, their interaction with the healthcare system may be limited to occasional visits to their GP. For some children with particular health conditions, their engagement with healthcare services may be a more regular occurrence; while for other children with certain chronic illnesses, healthcare services and their relationships with professionals will be a significant and integral part of their daily lives. In publishing this report, it is my hope that the research will also be a useful foundation resource for all those with responsibilities and roles to play in fostering a culture of respect for children’s rights in healthcare in Ireland.”

The HSE is developing in partnership with children, parents and healthcare workers a National Healthcare Charter for Children.

The principles of the Charter aim to ensure that children receive quality healthcare which is both appropriate to their needs and circumstances.

A suite of information resources aimed at children and their parents are currently being developed to support this Charter, and will be available early next year.

This Charter is based primarily on: The National Healthcare Charter – You and Your Health Service Ireland; the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; the Charter of the European Association for Children in Hospital, The Australian Charter on the Rights of Children and Young People in Healthcare Services and other important documents on children’s experience of health services in Ireland. The Charter supports the implementation of the National Policy on Children’s Participation in Decision-Making.

Mr Greg Price, Director of Advocacy, HSE said “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the children and young people, parents and healthcare professionals who are giving of their time so generously in developing this document and especially all of those who submitted very detailed feedback.”

Emily Logan concluded: “Today is about partnership and coming together to focus on children’s rights and in particular the best interests of children in healthcare settings.”

ENDS

Contact:
Nikki Gallagher at the OCO on 01-8656803 086-8163246
Press (HSE) at 01-6352000 or press@hse.ie

• 20 November 2013
• Type: Press Release
• Topic: Health