Accident and Emergency Department (A&E)
Sometimes you will get sick very suddenly, you will be taken to our Accident and Emergency Department. This is a special area where children and adolescents who get sick very suddenly are treated by a care team specially trained to look after young people. Sometimes they will treat you and be able to send you home and sometimes you may have to stay in hospital a little longer.

Out Patient Department(O.P.D.)
If you are coming to our Out Patient Department in the hospital your parents or carers will be asked to bring you on a certain day. This is like a visit to your own doctor. The doctor you will meet will know a lot about your illness and will talk to you and your parents about your treatment. Sometimes he/she may order some tests or arrange a date for you to get treatment in hospital.

If you are not sure where to go when you arrive you should go to the reception desk in the main entrance hall of the hospital and they will be delighted to help you and explain where you should go.

Day Ward
When you stay in the hospital for one day you are called a day patient (because you come in, get your treatment, stay for a short while to recover after your treatment and then go home all in one DAY.)

When you are staying in the hospital as a patient for more than one day you are called an ‘inpatient’, (because lucky you, you get a chance to spend a little longer with us in the National Children’s Hospital!)

What To Bring With You

When you are coming in to get treatment (not just for a visit to the doctor). you should bring your own night wear, dressing gown, slippers and toiletries (toothbrush, hairbrush, towel, facecloth, etc.) You can also bring a few favourite toys or books with you. We have toys in the hospital too but sometimes it is nice to bring some of your own from home.

Questions About You And What You Like
When you first come to the ward, the nurse will ask you lots of questions: your name, age, school, what you like to eat and drink, what you like to do during the day, when you go to bed and also who will be staying with you. This helps us to get to know you so that we can make sure your stay in hospital is as comfortable as possible.

When Can People Visit You?

We encourage parents to visit and stay with you whenever possible, day or night. The maximum number of visitors allowed at the same  time is two. Your brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends may be allowed to visit, but they should check with the nurses in charge first.

Can Your Parents Stay At Night?
We have a place where your parent’s can stay close to you at night. If your parent’s want to stay in the same room as you we will do our best to give them a  camp bed that can be put beside your bed. This camp bed is folded away in the morning so the floor can be cleaned. We also have special bathrooms and shower rooms for your parents if they are staying in the hospital at night. 

School

You can't escape school!! Yes, there is a school in the National Children’s Hospital. It is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 2.30pm during term time. A qualified primary school teacher teaches in this school. The school has lots of interesting things to do and it also has computers. If you are able to go to school you will get to meet other children who are also getting treatment in the hospital. We have a special internet connection with other children in other hospital schools, so you will be able to talk to young patients from all over Ireland – now doesn’t that sound interesting!

Click on the picture to see pictures of the school!

Playroom

There is also a supervised playroom. It is open Monday to Friday from 9.30- 4.30pm. It has lots and lots of toys and you can paint, draw and play with other boys and girls down there.

Click on the picture to see pictures of the playroom!