Needle Heroes to The Rescue!
Needle Heroes is an information hub on the CHI website that has been created by and for children and families attending CHI, in collaboration with CHI staff. We recognise that needle procedures are often one of the most stressful aspects of attending hospital for children. Our hope is for Needle Heroes to help alleviate this distress and support children in feeling more informed and in control healthcare experiences and procedures.
April 20, 2026
All CHI locations
News
What is a Needle Hero
Families and staff can now read and use the Needle Hero resources on this page to support conversations about needle procedures with children attending CHI.
Becoming a Needle Hero means using the resources and finding the supports and strategies that help children feel more confident and empowered when making decisions about healthcare.
What does Needle Heroes have to offer?
Parents/staff can choose from a range of resources suited to the child’s age, stage and needs. Families can then share their plans and preferences with their healthcare provider(s) in advance of any needle procedure so that together you can all become Needle Heroes. Resources include:
Why it matters
In Children's Health Ireland (CHI), we believe that every child deserves to feel safe and heard, especially during procedures that can feel scary or overwhelming. While we may not remove fear entirely from the situation, Needle Heroes hopes to help children face such procedures feeling more informed, confident and in control of their experience. To learn more about the Needle Heroes journey, please watch the video below, which hears from the Needle Heroes Lead, Principal Specialist Psychologist Dr Sarah Carroll:
“We acknowledge the support received through the Children’s Health Foundation, which helps make this work possible."