asked the Minister for Health if he will issue a directive to all hospitals, urging the immediate introduction of an automatic procedure at admissions level, similar to that recently introduced by the Garda in their area of responsibility relating to the problem of itinerant children being left alone while their parents or guardians are in hospital, to avoid the situation of young children being left alone for long periods.
Written Answers. - Itinerant Children's Welfare.
326.
My Department have recently written to health boards and voluntary hospitals alerting them to the problem of itinerant children being left alone when their parents or guardians are in hospital. They have been requested to initiate procedures, where they have not already done so, so that when adult travellers are admitted to hospital, admission staff notify the director of community care with responsibility for the family. This will enable support to be given to the family while the parent is in hospital and will minimise the risk to these children.