What’s more stressful than a sick child? I still remember that first experience with my own panic. It was late at night in our home in Dublin. I didn’t know which hospital to go to. Every parent should have a plan in place. For some families, understanding options like Best Private Hospitals in Dublin can also help with emergency decision-making.
A state-of-the-art healthcare center is being constructed in our city. You can spot the giant cranes erected near the city center. This article will assist you in locating the best healthcare today. Finally, we will discuss the future which shines so brightly. Let us proceed with the CHI system.
We have the inside information regarding the local hospitals in the area. Hang in there, you may be surprised at the information that is coming! Read more to view the complete map for the health sector in Dublin.
- Locate places offering specialist medical help.
- See new hospital opening dates.
- Learn how and when to call emergency services.
Understanding the CHI Network: Where to Go for Care
Finding the right spot for your kid is very important. There are four main sites in Dublin managed by Children’s Health Ireland (CHI). Every place has a special set of skills. Knowing these helps you receive the best care quickly. The entire process becomes simpler for you and your family.
Current Hospital Sites and Specializations
CHI at Crumlin
The CHI at Crumlin is a very popular landmark for families. It is the national centre for cardiac and cancer services. It provides more than 150,000 outpatient visits annually. If your child requires cardiac surgery, then this is the place for you. It is specifically designed for cardiac patients. It has a cardiac unit with 52 beds.
CHI at Temple Street
The neurosurgery at Temple Street is headed by CHI and has the longest experience in the country. They deal with very unusual conditions and have over 5,000 cases of epilepsy every year. This hospital has a welcoming and amicable environment. They are specialists in metabolic medicine too. This hospital is situated right at the center of the city, close to busy retail areas like Henry Street Dublin Shops where parents often pass time between appointments.
CHI at Tallaght
CHI at Tallaght provides care to families living in the south Dublin area. Their main focus is on the provision of outpatient and rapid access care.” They provide care to more than 200,000 children. It is an excellent place for general pediatric visits. The staff at this location works hard to keep waiting times short.
Urgent Care Centres: CHI at Connolly and Tallaght
Minor injury or minor cut? Could you possibly avoid going to the emergency room? CHI at Connolly in Blanchardstown is actually the Urgent Care Centre. It has recently opened, in 2019, to treat patients with minor injuries. This particular centre treats sprains, minor asthma, and minor burns.
You will have to call ahead to make an appointment at this location. They are open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. On the weekend, they are open from 10 am to 5 pm. Visiting these centers will help the emergency rooms from being crowded. It will mean that you will get an appointment much quicker.
The New Children’s Hospital (NCH): What Families Need to Know
A dramatic transformation is pending in relation to the skyline in our city. The new national campus is expanding by the day. It will surely be among the finest in Europe. This development is a significant injection into the future for our children.
The Vision for the New Campus at St. James’s
The new hospital has been established on the St. James’s site. It will contain 650 beds for young patients. Each and every room will be private with an en-suite facility. This will mean that you get the ability to stay with your child. The hospital will also include a helipad on its rooftop for emergencies. It comprises 20 operating theaters for surgeries.
Transition Timeline and Moving Services
The completion of the building is estimated to be finished by around June 2026. After that follows a nine-month testing period. The arrival of patients is estimated to take place by spring 2027. It is roughly six years behind schedule.
Cancer and heart care will start the process of relocation from Crumlin. Neurosurgery will follow, relocating from Temple Street. The process of complete amalgamation should be completed by 2029, bringing together 1,400 employees in one family.
Emergency & Urgent Situations: A Guide for Parents
When to rush to the hospital, though, is not an easy act to judge. This is the most stressful part of parenting. Always trust your instincts if you feel something is not right.
When to Attend the Emergency Department (ED)
For emergency services, you need to proceed to Crumlin, Temple Street, or Tallaght. All these facilities operate 24/7. For cases of difficulty in breathing or severe allergic reactions. For major trauma injuries or seizures. If the child is unconscious, dial the number for the ambulance service.
Checking Wait Times and ED Manners
There are no web-based trackers for waiting times. The waiting times can vary by the minute. The hospital has a system of triage to identify who is sickest first.
Pack a bag with comfort items and medication. Bring the child’s favorite toy or blanket. Do not forget to bring the child’s health card and a list of medications. Do not give them anything to eat until the nurse gives permission.
Support Services for Families and Patients
Being in the hospital is difficult for everyone in the home. I recall the appearance of exhaustion that my friends had during their stays. Fortunately, there is much assistance available to you. This is because these services make a heavy journey a little lighter. They are concerned with the comfort of the whole family.
Accommodation and Facilities for Parents
Ronald McDonald House near Crumlin is a real lifesaver for parents. It gives housing to 20 families for free each and every night. It is great for those people who have to travel from far away to reach the city.
Soon, a larger 52-bed house will be opened at the new campus. This will include a direct walkway between the basement and the new hospital. This will accommodate up to 800 families annually. Sleep more comfortably knowing that your children are only a short walk away.
Play Therapy and Psychological Support
Play Therapists can easily be called the unsung heroes in our busy city hospitals. There is a staff of 15 specialists at Temple Street. The specialists assist children in understanding surgery or medications through playing games. This therapy can decrease a child’s stress levels by up to 40%.
They issue “Brave Stars” awards to encourage the inner strength of the child. Social workers also assist more than 2,000 families each year with transportation expenses. They ensure that every family feels they are not alone on their struggling journey through life. These little gestures mean a great deal to the children.
Community Engagement & Netizen Support
We can all join together to improve our hospitals. I love seeing the city come together for the kids. The Children’s Health Foundation does great work for the families in our city. They take your generosity and turn it into something tangible that helps sick children.
Supporting the Heroes: Fundraising and Volunteering
They collected over 50 million euros in 2025 for the purchase of the latest scanner. It not only helps them buy the latest scanner but also fun toys and quality play equipment. Over 10,000 volunteers donate 50,000 hours of their time yearly. You can donate your time or money. Every single euro helps a child return to being a kid.
What helped your child most during a hospital visit?
- A. Brave certificates.
- B. The Playroom.
- C. Kind Nurses.
- D. Distraction toys.
Have a ‘Hero’ story about a staff member? Share your gratitude in the comments below! We love hearing about the amazing nurses and doctors. Use the hashtag #CHIHeros to join the conversation online.
Visitor Information: Transport and Parking
Accessing the hospital should be the least hassle part of your day. But, as you know, the Irish traffic in Dublin can be quite difficult to handle. Here is how you should go around our local hospital sites. Parents often stop by nearby stores such as Dunnes Store Dublin for food and essentials,
Navigating the Current Dublin Sites
- CHI at Crumlin is a race to secure parking! There are 500 parking spaces allocated for everyone who visits. I think these are all filled by 10 am. There is a fee of €2.50 per hour if you want to park your vehicle in this facility. If you’re running late, I would recommend that you ride a bus from the city center instead.
- CHI on Temple Street is in a highly trafficked area of the city. Parking on the street is very limited in this area. It is best to take the Luas Red Line train. Get out at the stop for Jervis, and then walk for five minutes. City buses stop right at the entrance.
- CHI at Tallaght is, in fact, easily accessible for southside families. The fact is, the Luas line serves CHI at Tallaght. So it is easily accessed. Additionally, you will enjoy 800 parking spaces in case you decide to use your car to visit the location. Of course, it is easily accessible when you are coming from the M50 as well.
- CHI at Connolly in Blanchardstown offers a very calm experience. There is free patient parking at this particular location. It is situated immediately beside the Luas Green Line stop. This is an excellent option for families that live in the North Dublin area. It is easy to access, and parking is not an issue.
Looking Toward the Future at St. James’s
The proposed national campus will be the most accessible so far. It is right on the St. James’s hospital grounds, which the two hospitals share. The Luas Red Line already stops there, as it is such a busy city spot. A Luas extension has also been proposed for the area. It will make traveling with a sick child so much easier. It will fit right in with our entire public transportation system.
Trusted Care for Dublin’s Youngest Citizens
Our healthcare system is undergoing positive changes. We are building towards a healthcare system of international quality. Until we get there, we are proud of the excellence at our existing facilities. Competent doctors and caring nurses are ever-willing and able to assist. Your child could not be in better hands in Dublin.
It is always good to have these hospital addresses handy on your phone contact list. Being prepared is the best gift for loved ones. Should you encounter a medical emergency, always dial 999 or 112. Should you require further updates on the services of CHI and the proposed new hospital, you may visit the official website of the CHI organization.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the specializations of CHI hospitals in Dublin?
CHI Crumlin specializes in cardiac surgery and cancer with national cardiac transplant programs and leukemia services, Temple Street in neurosurgery and metabolic services for epilepsy and unusual conditions, Tallaght with south Dublin outpatients and urgent care, and Connolly with minor injuries at its Urgent Care Centre.
When will the New Children’s Hospital at St. James’s open?
Substantial completion: June 2026, followed by nine months of commissioning with the first patients, spring 2027, with phased migration into new services, starting with Crumlin cardiac/oncology, and complete consolidation by 2029.
What counts as a pediatric emergency requiring CHI ED in Dublin?
Go to Crumlin, Temple Street, or Tallaght EDs for respiratory distress, severe allergic reactions, seizures, unconsciousness, or major trauma. Connolly/Tallaght UCCs handle minor sprains, cuts, mild asthma, or burns instead.
Where to park and how to get to CHI sites in Dublin?
Crumlin offers 500 spaces at €2.50/hr (fills by 10 am); Temple Street has limited street parking, a 5-minute Luas Red walk from Jervis; Tallaght connects via Luas Red with 800 spots; Connolly is adjacent to the Green Line with free patient parking.
What family support exists at CHI hospitals, like the Ronald McDonald House?
Ronald McDonald House near Crumlin accommodates 20 families nightly, free for long-term stays; play therapy teams (15 specialists at Temple Street) run daily sessions with brave certificates and toys, plus social workers aiding 2,000+ families yearly.