The external build of the country’s new children’s hospital is now complete and the work is progressing inside the walls. The hospital will be Ireland’s first public digital hospital equipped with world-class facilities to deliver child-centred, research-led and learning-informed healthcare.
The hospital will have 380 individual en-suite inpatient bedrooms. The rooms will be equipped with a bed for a parent to stay with their child.
Meanwhile, a brand-new CT Scanner worth €1.2 million has been officially opened at Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street thanks to Tesco Ireland, in partnership with Children’s Health Foundation.
A spokesperson said the state-of-the-art CT scanner was invaluable to aid in the diagnosis of sick children with a wide range of illnesses and injuries. This new scanner provides high quality CT imaging at faster speeds, reducing the requirement to sedate younger patients, without compromising on image quality. The scanner also utilises low-dose technology that minimises the radiation doses delivered to Children’s Health Ireland patients.
The CT Scanner and treatment area is “Outer Space” themed, as chosen by Tesco staff. In addition to making the clinical area more child friendly, the theme, also has benefits for patients. According to the radiography team in Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, the benefits of a fun and child friendly theme has contributed to higher rate of successful scans, resulting in children who are calmer rather than scared.
Eilísh Hardiman, Chief Executive, Children’s Health Ireland said: “The newly installed CT scanner in Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street provides a 24/7 CT service, undertaking around two thousand scans per year, so this represents a key investment in radiology services across Children’s Health Ireland. The radiology team are thrilled to start using this state-of-the-art equipment and are delighted with the family-centred CT facility in which the service will be delivered.”
Funding donated from Tesco has helped Children’s Health Foundation purchase over 330 pieces of vital equipment for Children’s Health Ireland hospitals and urgent care centres – including an EEG system, ultrasound scanners, patient monitors and respiratory equipment. Since 2014, Tesco Ireland has raised over €8.3 million for Children’s Health Foundation, to support the life-saving work across all Children’s Health Ireland services at Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght and Connolly hospitals.
