Dublin’s National Children’s Hospital in Crumlin is struggling to find staff despite multiple overseas recruitment drives in Kerala and the UAE. The Irish Pediatric Clinical Care Report by the National Office of Clinical Audit (NOCA) reveals critical staffing shortages impacting the new 42-bed hospital set to open next year.
Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) conducted recruitment trips abroad in November 2022 and 2023, but failed to attract candidates for critical care units. As a result, the hospital cannot adequately staff its critical care beds.
The report highlights a 14% increase in critically ill children over the past five years, with occupancy rates hitting 95%, far exceeding the recommended 85%. Due to the lack of specialized treatment locally, children are being referred to other countries like Sweden for critical treatments.
Crumlin and Temple Street Hospitals are also facing rising emergency admissions, further stressing the need for skilled healthcare workers. Associate Professor Martina Healy emphasized the urgent need for a recruitment and retention staffing plan, warning of potential shortfalls in care without immediate action.