Medical Independent

The Development Board of the new Children’s Hospital is submitting a planning application to An Bord Pleanála today. According to a statement from the Board, the submission seeks approval for the development of a “world-class” children’s hospital at the Mater site.

“It will provide national tertiary services for children and young people across Ireland and secondary care services for the Greater Dublin Area. It will accommodate the merger of the existing health services for children currently being provided at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin; Children’s University Hospital, Temple St; and the National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght,” the statement said.

Speaking at the submission of planning, CEO of the project Eilísh Hardiman said, the development marks a real and important milestone in the delivery of a new hospital for the children of Ireland.

“We have worked hard over the last two and a half years in developing plans for a world-class children’s hospital that will be a legacy to our children and an important architectural landmark in the city of Dublin, utilising the best in national and international design expertise. We look forward to a full and open consultation on all our plans for this development and are committed to delivering on this project in the best interests of the children of Ireland.”

Ms Hardiman added that access has been an issue of serious consideration in developing the comprehensive planning application.

“Following a detailed traffic assessment, we have identified a number of measures which we are confident will go a long way towards addressing many of these concerns. These include the development of a four lane access road situated at the front of the hospital along Eccles St., the opening of a second access point to the car park on North Circular Road, designated traffic routes and signage to the hospital, as well as the opening of a new four-storey underground carpark with capacity for 972 cars.”

The new hospital is designed to accommodate full clinical facilities for the provision of tertiary and secondary paediatric care, including 392 beds, 53 day care beds, 13 operating theatres, overnight room-in beds for parents and a family resource centre. The planning application also seeks to develop a number of play areas, a hospital school, external gardens and courtyards.

• Comments

• Mary O'Connor | 20 Jul 2011 17:07

  Children in Hospital Ireland (CHI) is delighted the Board of the National Paediatric Hospital today submitted plans to An Bord Pleanala. The is a momentous milestone in the life of the new children’s hospital and now the plans are in the public arena. CHI recently welcomed the publication of the International Expert Review Group’s Report which clearly endorsed the location for the new hospital both clinically and financially. With universal agreement on the need for a new hospital, particularly among families whose children require specialised and continuing hospital care, there is a pressing need to ensure the development timetable remains on target. No further slippage can be allowed to occur. CHI expects that the three children’s hospitals are looking forward to redoubling their efforts to ensure the new children’s hospital will be the best in the world, and will become a reality in the shortest possible time. Some of the long awaited benefits of the new hospital for sick children and their families include: • All services will be provided under one roof – no more ferrying of children between hospitals. • There will be appropriate environments with play and educational facilities for patients from 0 to 18 years of age – for the first time teens will be able to be teens when in hospital. • Parents and families will benefit from appropriate facilities and supports – the mattress on the floor will become a memory. • Shared care and outreach programmes mean children will be cared for closer to home – shorter hospital stays will be facilitated with local supports. • A new model of Paediatric Care will be put in place for the whole country – the new hospital will be a hub for education and improving delivery of services nationally. • Co-location will stimulate the creation of new protocols and processes to facilitate the transition from children’s to adult services.” CHI remains committed to working with the New Hospital Team and Board, the Department of Health and Children, the HSE, and our colleagues from Chronic Illness and Condition Support Groups to ensure the new children’s hospital will deliver the best care for sick children and their families.

• Mary O'Connor | 20 Jul 2011 17:07

  Children in Hospital Ireland (CHI) is delighted the Board of the National Paediatric Hospital today submitted plans to An Bord Pleanala. The is a momentous milestone in the life of the new children’s hospital and now the plans are in the public arena. CHI recently welcomed the publication of the International Expert Review Group’s Report which clearly endorsed the location for the new hospital both clinically and financially. With universal agreement on the need for a new hospital, particularly among families whose children require specialised and continuing hospital care, there is a pressing need to ensure the development timetable remains on target. No further slippage can be allowed to occur. CHI expects that the three children’s hospitals are looking forward to redoubling their efforts to ensure the new children’s hospital will be the best in the world, and will become a reality in the shortest possible time. Some of the long awaited benefits of the new hospital for sick children and their families include: • All services will be provided under one roof – no more ferrying of children between hospitals. • There will be appropriate environments with play and educational facilities for patients from 0 to 18 years of age – for the first time teens will be able to be teens when in hospital. • Parents and families will benefit from appropriate facilities and supports – the mattress on the floor will become a memory. • Shared care and outreach programmes mean children will be cared for closer to home – shorter hospital stays will be facilitated with local supports. • A new model of Paediatric Care will be put in place for the whole country – the new hospital will be a hub for education and improving delivery of services nationally. • Co-location will stimulate the creation of new protocols and processes to facilitate the transition from children’s to adult services.” CHI remains committed to working with the New Hospital Team and Board, the Department of Health and Children, the HSE, and our colleagues from Chronic Illness and Condition Support Groups to ensure the new children’s hospital will deliver the best care for sick children and their families.