Location of children's hospital

Madam, – The Ryan report has brought children’s rights centre-stage

Madam, – The Ryan report has brought children’s rights centre-stage. Surely now is the time to reverse the decision to put the new National Children’s Hospital on the cramped Dublin city centre Mater hospital site? This location was chosen in June 2006 before even the model of the care and services to be delivered at the hospital was determined. Why? Were children ever consulted? No. When I requested that year that the new hospital be on the agenda of Dáil na nÓg, I was told that it was too complex a topic for such a forum.

It may take history to reveal the true story behind the location decision – the powerful personalities, government departments and adult institutions that have misused our young citizens, shamefully trampling on their right to a hospital appropriate to their needs. – Yours, etc,

ROISIN HEALY,

Paediatrician,

Park Drive,

Ranelagh, Dublin 6.