OLCHC has a very modern Children’s Heart Centre with dedicated outpatients, outdoor play areas and great facilities for parents or carers so whether you are here for a Cardiac Catheterisation or Open Heart Surgery you will be very well looked after.
“Having some literature about the Hospital, the financial support and the calls really helped.” – Heart Parent
Once you have received a date for surgery a member of the travel team from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT) will be in touch with you to pass on details of your travel arrangements. BHSCT will arrange and pay for return transport and accommodation for your child and two adult escorts. The hospital provides its own parent accommodation within the hospital and a shared house with private rooms a short walk from the hospital. Where possible, BHSCT will try to book a room in the Ronald McDonald house next to the hospital however it usually has quite a long waiting list. St Theresa’s and St Brigid’s are cardiac wards. If your child is under 1 year old they will most likely be moved to St Theresa’s ward when transferred from PICU and if your child is older, they will most likely move to St Bridgid’s wards. Both wards have lovely, bright play areas and each has a large kitchen/lounge area for parents and carers to take some time out, make a cuppa or something to eat. For more information on Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin visit their website. We can put you in contact with parents that have previously travelled to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital for some parent to parent advice, just let a member of our family support team know. Click here to read some practical tips from parents that will help you find your way around your new surroundings at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital.
