Children in Hospital Ireland is a voluntary organization that has worked for 41 years to promote the welfare of sick children and their families in Irish hospitals. They deliver daily play sessions in 20 hospital wards and playrooms nationwide to support child patients, parents, and staff. Being in the hospital can cause anxiety and fear for children and affect their development, so Children in Hospital Ireland advocates for children's special needs and supports parents through their child's hospital stay. They work to increase awareness of policymakers about the needs of sick children and organize hospital play schemes with volunteers.

1. Children in Hospital Ireland
Children in Hospital Ireland are a voluntary organization committed to promoting and ensuring the
welfare of all children in hospital and their families. A For 41 year, the organization has been directly
working with sick children to bring them fun and support. A CHI uses its expertise to deliver unique daily
and weekly play sessions that support child patients, parents and staff in 20 hospital wards and
playrooms a nationwide.
Did you know?
Each year in Ireland there are, on average, over 270,000 hospital visits by children!
For over 100,000 this means an average of a 3 night stay.
Every year, 75,000 child inpatients are under 4 years of age and almost all are admitted through A&E –
an unexpected and unplanned visit.
Children need special care in hospitals
Children are particularly vulnerable, both physically and emotionally. For them, being in hospital can be
a source of anxiety and fear, especially if they are unexpectedly separated from their family. Along with
having to cope with illness, this difficult experience can affect their normal growth and development.
CHI is at the forefront:
To promote the welfare of sick children by drawing attention to their special needs for emotional
security
To advocate on behalf of all sick children
To support and help parents before, during and after their child’s stay in hospital
To increase the awareness of policy makers as to the special needs of sick children
To organize hospital play schemes with the help of a group of marvelous volunteers
By browsing through our website, you will learn about all aspects of our work and the services we
provide – http://www.childreninhospital.ie
CHI is a registered charity (charity no. 6632) and is a company limited by guarantee.