Congratulations to the Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) three winners in this year’s Irish Healthcare Awards.

Innovation in Healthcare and Medicine

‘Mixing Modalities to Provide Optimum Cystic Fibrosis Care,’ The Paediatric Cystic Fibrosis Team, CHI at Tallaght

The Paediatric Cystic Fibrosis Team are a highly experienced multidisciplinary team (MDT) who provide holistic care to a very special group of approximately 100 patients (from babies to those in their late adolescence) who have a diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis (CF). They also support their families in managing their child/ren with CF. Covid-19 has resulted in us pivoting to provide the same level of care to our patients but using some new and creative modalities and tools.

Hospital Project of the Year

‘Story of Me. Baby Milestone Cards,’ Department of Neonatology, CHI at Crumlin

The Neonatal team in CHI at Crumlin and Temple Street care for approximately 340 – 360 neonates per year. They know from talking to parents and families what a difficult time this can be for them. The team wanted to improve parental experience of having a sick baby in hospital and give a positive tool during what can often be a very stressful and emotional time for parents.

Due to a baby’s surgical or medical condition, often neonates in CHI at Crumlin cannot be held and cuddled as much as parents would like. Our Neonatal patients can be complex and overcome many challenges with their condition and the team wanted to celebrate the mighty moments that our neonates achieve. The cards are unique to babies in hospital capturing precious memories like This is what brave looks like, My first feed, First cuddles, etc. The cards are funded by Children’s Health Ireland Crumlin, formerly CMRF Crumlin.

Equality Initiative of the Year

‘The Rainbow Badge,’ CHI

The Rainbow Badge gives our staff a way to show that their place of work offers open, non-judgemental and inclusive care for children, young people, families and staff who identify as LGBTI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex; the + simply means inclusive of all identities, regardless of how people define themselves). The initiative aims to make a positive difference by promoting a message of inclusion.

LGBTI+ young people are often exploring their own sense of self and identity. Despite improving social attitudes in general towards LGBTI+ people in Ireland, negative attitudes (such as homophobia, biphobia, transphobia) are still widely prevalent. Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are more common in young people who identify as LGBTI+, with figures showing that more than half of Irish LGBTI+ young people self-harm; 2 in 3 seriously consider suicide; and tragically 1 in 3 have attempted suicide. Many young people still feel afraid to disclose their sexual or gender identity and to ‘come out’ – being unable to do so limits our ability in providing the medical care they need.

We would also like to acknowledge all CHI nominees.

Best Use of Information Technology
Hybrid Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory Technology enhanced learning (TEL), CHI at Crumlin

Equality Initiative of the Year
The HSE Rainbow Badge, CHI working with Linn Dara CAMHS

Hospital Project of the Year
The Introduction of Screening Tool for Paediatric Delirium within the Children’s Health Ireland PICU’s, CHI at Crumlin & CHI at Temple Street
Story of Me, CHI at Crumlin

Outpatient Initiative of the Year
Epistaxis Initiative, CHI at Temple Street

Innovation in Healthcare and Medicine
Active Clinical Triage – Orthopaedics , CHI at Crumlin
Mixing Modalities to Provide Optimum CF Care, The Paediatric Cystic Fibrosis Team in CHI at Tallaght

NCHD Project of the Year
Put the Bleep to Sleep and Transcribe by Thursday: A Dual Quality Improvement Initiative, CHI at Crumlin

Research Paper of the Year
Temple Street Dublin 1, Fatal Fetal Abnormality Irish live-born survival – an observational study, CHI