Working Life: Babies are striving to be seen as more than their diagnosis

Catherine Matthews, principal clinical psychologist on the cardiac team, CHI at Crumlin

Catherine Matthews, principal clinical psychologist on the cardiac team, CHI at Crumlin. Picture: Moya Nolan

“I’m up at the crack of dawn to beat the traffic. As soon as I arrive at the hospital, I check out how children on the wards are faring. It can be an anxious time. I fuel myself for an inevitably busy day with a coffee.

“I have always had an interest in paediatrics and love how the medical and the psychological marry in the role of clinical psychologist. Supporting families to cope is what I do, working alongside a skilled cardiac multidisciplinary team in caring for the child and family.