More than just child’s play

It may be midterm break, but members of the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) have been taking time out from their school holidays to meet at the Office of the Ombudsman for Children in Dublin.  YAC is made up of current and past users of the existing three children’s hospitals in Dublin. The group provides input, advice and feedback on the operational and clinical services provided by the three children’s hospitals in order to improve the patient/family experience.   YAC has also been engaging regularly with the design team of the new children’s hospital, and is playing an important role in informing the design process.

On this week’s agenda was internal and external landscaping, waiting and interactive play areas and the integration of art at the new children’s hospital which, subject to planning permission, will be located on a shared campus with St James’s Hospital in Dublin 8.   Two Paediatric OPD and Urgent Care Satellite Centres at Tallaght and Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown are also part of the project. The planning application for the new children’s hospital (together with the two Satellite Centres at Tallaght and Connolly, a parent’s accommodation unit and a children’s research and innovation centre) is with by An Bord Pleanála and a decision is expected by May 12th.