Vol. 505 No. 1
151 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will adopt the Children in Hospital, Ireland's charter and guidelines for the care of children and adolescents in hospital, in the absence of such a charter. [13398/99]
152 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department is undertaking a review of the manner in which the care of children and adolescents in hospital is provided; and if it will assess accurately the number of children receiving hospital care to facilitate planning of services. [13399/99]
153 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department is undertaking a review of the manner in which the care of children and adolescents in hospital is provided. [13400/99]
154 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether all children in hospitals should be cared for in appropriately staffed and supervised units, whether medical or surgical. [13401/99]
155 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether there should be separate adolescent units with appropriate staffing and facilities in our hospitals. [13402/99]
156 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the lack of provision for parents to visit hospitalised children at certain times; the action, if any, he is taking in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13070/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 to 156, inclusive, together.
My Department recently received a copy of Children in Hospital, Ireland's report entitled "Children being cared for in adult wards". This report has raised a number of issues, which are under review by officials in my Department.
I am supportive of the suggestion that in circumstances where children have to share facilities with adults in an acute hospital setting the hospital management should establish protocols which take account of the sensitivities and needs of all patients concerned, particularly in relation to the children. I am committed to providing acute care in an environment appropriate to the needs of all patients in line with established best practice. I am conscious that where emergency treatment is required the provision of the treatment is the priority rather than the location in which it is provided.
A charter of rights for hospitals patients was introduced in August 1992. The charter provides guidelines for good standards of practice in acute hospitals for all patients, including children, be they in acute general hospitals or in specialist acute paediatric units.
My officials are reviewing the report and will be in contact with representatives of Children in Hospital, Ireland in the near future to discuss the content of their report and any issues which arise in the course of the review.
