CHI experiencing severe pressures across all their hospitals
Children’s hospitals in Dublin in a critical capacity position. Families asked to seek alternative care options for children and young people with minor injury and illness such as GP or pharmacy. The children’s flu vaccine is free and your child’s best shot to protect against flu this Winter
Dec. 8, 2022
News
The paediatric services in Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, Crumlin, Tallaght and at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown are experiencing extreme pressure in demands for services. This is because of the high numbers of patients attending paediatric Emergency Departments and the number of very sick children already in these hospitals.
Children’s Health Ireland is asking families/parents/guardians to please attend local hospitals/care centres where possible with less severe illness to help ease pressure on our hospitals.
Dr Ike Okafor, Clinical Director in Children’s Health Ireland said:
“We have reached a point where we are under pressure with patient numbers on all four of our sites – Connolly, Crumlin, Tallaght and Temple Street. Our staff are working very hard in challenging circumstances. We are asking families to please access care for minor injuries and illnesses in their local care centre, GP or pharmacy.
“This is a perfect storm – there are high levels of viruses in the community at the moment, and due to earlier appropriate measures to protect from COVID-19, families have not experienced illness in their children who were born during lockdown and we also have some very sick babies presenting to our ED’s who need acute care. We need to concentrate our resources on these sickest children.
“Management and clinical teams are exploring all options to support safe staffing in our Emergency Departments, critical care and wards. We have already deployed staff across our sites and can’t thank each staff member enough for what they are doing to keep our hospitals functioning. It is beyond the call of duty.”
If parents/guardians are worried that their child is seriously ill or injured, they should attend their nearest paediatric Emergency Department.
Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) is restricting elective activity at our Crumlin, Temple Street and Tallaght hospitals as a result of the very high number of attendances to our Emergency Departments (EDs) and Urgent Care Centre (UCC). Cancellations of admissions are being reviewed each day. Patients affected will be contacted directly by the hospitals. We apologise as we know this is disappointing for families and we will reschedule as soon as possible.
Resources for families:
- The flu vaccine helps to protect children against flu. Children and young people aged between 2 and 17 years can get the nasal flu vaccine for free. Your child can get the vaccine at your GP or pharmacy. For more information visit: www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/childrens-flu-vaccine/
- Important information on RSV, flu and Winter viruses
- Visit undertheweather.ie for advice