Vol. 489 No. 4
113 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will establish a charter for child patients in hospital, adhering to the broad principles outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which has been ratified by the Government. [8329/98]
A charter of rights for hospital patients was introduced in August 1992. Its provides guidelines for good standards of practice in acute hospitals for all patients, their relatives and friends. Its provisions include children, be they in acute general hospitals or in specialist acute paediatric units. I would expect hospitals to be responsive to the particular needs of children as part of their overall responsibilities in delivery of quality services with a patient focus.
