Core values

The services of Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children are based on the Christian vision of service. Children are acknowledged and respected as individuals with their own uniqueness, rights and values. All children are treated equally and holistically irrespective of ethnic background, social or economic status, religion, gender or disabilities. We respect and provide for children and families/guardians of other religious beliefs and practices. We strive to assist children and their families in the improvement of health, recovery from illness and support in death.

We recognise that children and families are affected in many ways by illness and disability and we seek to support them psychologically, emotionally, socially, and educationally throughout their treatment.

At OLHSC, we respect the importance of all our young patients, their families and the hospital's obligation to them and the wider community.

Using a partnership approach, we place the child at the centre of planning care delivery. Our multidisciplinary teams ensure a caring and supportive environment is provided for all our young patients and their families. We ensure our patients, parents and their families understand the child's condition, treatment and nursing care options available, enabling them to make informed decisions about the care of their children. Decision-making is based on Christian ethical and moral principles.

Family-centred health care aims to minimise hospitalisation and disruption to the lives of our patients and their families. This is facilitated through the support and development of local healthcare partnerships, including shared-care.

OLHSC provides a caring and supportive environment for our young patients and a workplace where all staff members feel valued and supported.

We understand and recognise that the family is the child's primary source of strength and support. We will incorporate the family into all our care plans.

We will encourage and help facilitate "family to family" support and networking.

OLHSC is committed to the establishment and maintenance of an environment for patients, their families, staff and all who visit the hospital, which minimises risk and emphasises health and safety.

OLHSC as a "smoke free hospital" will endeavour to put the health of our children, their families and staff first.

OLHSC will foster open and honest communication and will be transparent in all matters of business, policy and health services delivery.

The organisation recognises that staff members are accountable for their actions.

Children are at the centre of all ethical policies created and implemented.

Each staff member plays a role in improving the health of children, through the service they provide.

All staff (clinical and non-clinical) are respected and encouraged in their work and are offered equal opportunity to acquire competence in their particular role and fulfil their potential in health care.

OLHSC is committed to continuing and enhancing the major role it plays in education in paediatrics - of graduates and undergraduates of medicine, nursing, health care professions and administrative/support staff and to the links it has with the third level institutions. We aspire to the education of non-professional staff.

OLHSC is a major centre for research and development in paediatric medicine in Ireland . It is committed to ongoing research in paediatrics and works with educational institutions, scientific research agencies and other organisations in Ireland and abroad. We will continue to expand research into the health of children and their families, including the prevention of illness, treatment of disease, maintenance of health and health promotion.

OLHSC supports continuous, lifelong learning and the on-going professional and personal development of all staff. We nurture an environment of examination, reflection and innovation, and provide the necessary supports to staff in achieving their goals

OLHSC recognises the importance of achieving improved health outcomes for children and will continue to seek to develop collaboration with other institutions, voluntary organisations, support groups, the community and individuals to achieve this goal.

OLHSC aims to foster an organisation where all staff feel supported and valued.

OLHSC nurtures a decentralised management structure, empowering staff to make decisions in relation to their work. Team working and decentralised decision-making are inherent to every day practice. All involved in management commit to developing and implementing policies consistent with it's mission statement and core values.

OLHSC is committed to continuous quality improvement by continually enhancing the extent, quality and range of patient care infrastructure and services.

As a method of maintaining standards, improving services and achieving excellence, OLHSC recognises the importance and value of frequent internal and external audits in all areas of the organisation.

OLHSC seeks to use the financial resources available to it, in an efficient and effective manner, in order to achieve the maximum benefit for the patients and families using its services.