Waiting for an Appointment or Treatment

Sometimes children and young people need to wait for an appointment, a test, or treatment at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI). We understand that waiting can be difficult for families. Our teams work to ensure that all children are seen as quickly as possible, based on their clinical needs. Waiting lists are managed using national guidelines, to make sure that care is provided fairly and consistently across all public hospitals.

Keeping Waiting Lists Fair and Accurate

The waiting list process ensures that all children are treated fairly. Patients are prioritised by clinical need first and then scheduled by length of time waiting.

What Happens Step by Step

Referral – Your GP or hospital doctor refers your child.
Waiting – Your child is added to the waiting list. With the new Electronic Healthcare Record, you will have full, transparent access to see exactly where your child is positioned on their waiting list (Currently our teams work with very old and not-fit-for-purpose systems and it's not possible to share this information in every specialty)
Checking In – You may be contacted to confirm your details and if your child still needs care
Appointment or Offer – Your child is given a date or, in some cases, offered care in another hospital.
Treatment – Your child receives their appointment or treatment.

Ábhar an leathanaigh

Ar an leathanach seo gheobhaidh tú eolas faoi:

Keeping Waiting Lists Fair and Accurate
Referrals Made Simple
Waiting for Care and Appointments
Additional information

Referrals Made Simple

When your GP or hospital doctor refers your child to CHI:

The referral is added to the waiting list and reviewed by a clinician.
Once accepted, families receive a letter confirming the referral.

CHI teams work to ensure children are seen as quickly as possible.

If you are concerned about your child’s condition while waiting, contact your GP or local ED.

When to bring your child to the ED.

Waiting for Care and Appointments

During this time, CHI checks in with families through the validation process, required by the NTPF.

This may be via letter or phone call
We confirm contact details are correct and that your child still needs care
This helps keep waiting lists accurate and reduces missed appointments

If your contact details change at any point during your child’s care with CHI, please let us know. This helps us make sure you receive all appointment information and any important updates without delay.

Appointments are scheduled by clinical need and then waiting time.

You usually receive 2–6 weeks’ notice
Short-notice appointments may be offered by phone
Appointments can be at any CHI hospital: Connolly, Crumlin, Tallaght, or Temple Street

If you cannot attend:

Call the number on your appointment letter as soon as possible
This allows us to offer the slot to another child
Your child’s appointment will be rescheduled if needed
If an appointment is missed without notice, your child may be removed from the waiting list

Thank you for helping us reduce missed appointments.

Additional information

Data on waiting lists is published nationally, on the National Treatment Purchase Fund website.

Roinn an leathanach seo

Waiting for an Appointment or Treatment

Keeping Waiting Lists Fair and Accurate

What Happens Step by Step

Ábhar an leathanaigh

Referrals Made Simple

Waiting for Care and Appointments

What Your Child’s Waiting Status Means

While You Are Waiting

Appointments

Extra Appointments and Treatments

Who Is Involved?

Additional information