Real Irish Parents Have Their Say About The Children’s Hospital At St. James’s

The location of a new children's hospital has been causing much debate and even more upset for many years. When confirmation came through that it would ultimately be built at St. James's hospital in Dublin city, that debate and upset turned into a devastated roar. I have lived near to the area and coming at it from a completely objective perspective - I wouldn't bring a child nor any vulnerable person near that area of town, never mind the hospital, if I didn't have to. The area is totally rough, run-down and a bitch to get to. You could use the Luas but would have to share it with the drug addicts and methadone users who make even the toughest person feel on edge. Some of them are travelling onto other stops further on the line and some are getting off at St. James's but I can tell you this as someone who took that Luas frequently - they are always present. Do we want our country's parents with sick kids to feel unsafe on top of the worry and upset they would already be experiencing with a sick child in their arms? Do we want our sick kids to feel sick and more frightened than they need to be, because they are being forced to go to a crappy part of town for their treatment? Well, I wouldn't. But then I guess if I were in charge, I would be putting a children's hospital in a location that would best suit the families who need to use it. Does that make me sound crazy? (Photo: the proposed entrance to the new hospital was impassable due to flooding after 40 minutes of rain this week) I am extremely fortunate in that neither of my children have ongoing medical issues but I am aware of so many families who are frequently in and out of Tallaght, Temple Street and Crumlin with their kids. So we asked some of those parents what they genuinely think about the new hospital location, and here is what they said:

"I just wonder how many of the decision makers would be happy to be stuck in rush hour traffic with a sick child, especially if they've already travelled halfway across the country. Would they end up regretting not locating it in Blanchardstown, off of one of the country's main motorways which would allow easier access for people from all over the country. Because they bloody should" - Emma, Wexford "It's bullshit. Total bullshit. Parking is insane there as it is. Why isn't is linked to a maternity hopsital so that newborns in dire situations can we raced across a corridor instead of the city??? I am utterly disgusted. As for rush hour traffic I sincerely hope no child loses his or her life unable to access the hospital" - Doireann, Wicklow "Having had a v sick Oisin for years and countless trips to hospital at all times of the day and night, twice to be told on arrival that there was a strong possibility that he was too weak to fight and may not make it, I despair at the distance I would have to travel. It makes me anxious just thinking about it" - Janet, The Naul

"All the "lost land" at the top of the IFSC would have been perfect in my opinion - Luas, train, Dart and Port Tunnel access without really having to go thru town. Even with Hayden's Temple St apts it can take an hour and a half in the car from Skerries! An ambulance from Skerries thru the tunnel would be 15mins!" - Emma, Co. Dublin "We need a hospital where access would not be hampered by rush hour traffic, where an ambulance has no hassle getting through. We need a hospital where an outpatient visit does not begin with a 45 minute queue waiting to get into the carpark.. where there are green areas of calm away from the noise of the wards and city for autistic siblings to visit.. we need a board who will listen to the very ones who will use the hospital     - Samantha, Athy (mum to one very beautiful daughter Ava who has a rare genetic disorder called Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome)

If you wish to contribute to a petition against the proposed site, you can do so via the Connolly For Kids Facebook page. Join the conversation by letting us know what you think on our Facebook page.