Vol. 493 No. 2
139 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if he is in a position to launch a charter for children in hospital in view of the opening of Tallaght Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15499/98]
A Charter of Rights for hospital patients was introduced in August 1992. It 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.
