Are we following the European charter? Children, parents and staff perceptions.
BACKGROUND
In 1988, the European Association for Children in Hospital (EACH) established a charter of rights setting out the guiding principles for the treatment of children in hospital. Our aim was to ascertain whether children, parents and staff in a children's hospital believe the European Charter is conformed to.


METHODS
A total of 111 parents (response rate = 90%), 50 children (response rate = 100%), 61 nurses (response rate = 55%) and 41 doctors (response rate = 25%) agreed to participate. Questionnaires based on the 10 rights in the EACH Charter were administered to children, parents and staff.


RESULTS
The majority of children and parents were happy with the relationship they had with staff. However, the findings suggest that children, parents and staff are concerned with the lack of facilities in hospital, including parental accommodation, play, education, age-appropriate wards and lack of privacy. Staff felt that many children undergo unnecessary admission and treatment in hospital. Many staff are reluctant to discuss issues such as side effects of medications with patients and do not encourage children to ask questions. Contrary to expectations, clinicians were reluctant to consider children under 16 as capable of giving consent, and most parents and children felt that children should be over 17 and 18 respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
This paper highlights patients' and staff's perceptions regarding children's rights in hospital and discusses the changes needed to fully conform to the EACH Charter.
Migone
M
M
Lucena Clinic, University College Dublin and Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland. mariamigone@oceanfree.net
Mc Nicholas
F
F
Lennon
R
R
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002651:Child Advocacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D010287:Parent-Child Relations / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult