National Rehabilitation Hospital to trial fold-out beds for parents

The National Rehabilitation Hospital vowed to 'work towards a long-term solution that meets all requirements and supports parents as partners in their child’s rehabilitation programme'. Picture: NRH.ie

The National Rehabilitation Hospital has committed to trialling fold-out beds for the parents of paediatric patients as chair beds are “not meeting needs”. 

However, Sinn Féin’s health spokesperson David Cullinane has warned that “temporary fixes” and chair beds are “not acceptable”.

The National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire provides a paediatric service for children up to the age of 18 who have sustained brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or limb absences, as well as specialist rehabilitation services.

There are 10 paediatric beds in the hospital, including eight inpatient beds and two day patient beds.

In response to queries from Mr Cullinane about arrangements in place for parents of children accessing inpatient services, the office of the CEO of the National Rehabilitation Hospital said that the parents of children attending its paediatric programme are “integral to their child’s rehabilitation”.

This, it said, means that the parents “need to be well rested and able to engage in multiple therapy and education sessions each day”.

“We acknowledge that the current chair bed is not meeting the needs of our parents,” it responded.

“The layout of the bedrooms and compliance with requirements related to health and safety in emergency situations, infection prevention and control (IPC) for acute hospitals, and accessibility within the built environment limit the bed options available.

“We are currently trialling fold-out beds, with mattresses appropriate for clinical settings, which provide a sleepover option, whilst maintaining accessibility, allowing for emergency procedures to be carried out and complying with IPC regulations.”

The hospital also acknowledged that the fold-out beds are not as comfortable as a permanent bed, as it vowed it would “work towards a long-term solution that meets all requirements and supports parents as partners in their child’s rehabilitation programme”.

Parents sleeping in chairs 'not acceptable'

However, Mr Cullinane told the Irish Examiner the National Rehab must implement permanent solutions and it is “simply not acceptable” that parents are expected to sleep in chairs.

He argued that families accessing the hospital’s services are “already under enormous pressure” and “should not have to fight for something as basic as a proper place to sleep”.

“These parents are not visitors; They are central to their child’s care, recovery and rehabilitation. They need proper rest so they can support their child and take part in therapy and education sessions,” he said.

The hospital has now acknowledged that the current arrangement is inadequate. 

"That recognition is welcome, but it must lead to action.

“Fold-out beds may provide some immediate relief, but they are not a permanent answer. The HSE and the Department of Health must ensure that suitable overnight accommodation is provided without further delay.”

Mr Cullinane also said he will be seeking a “clear timetable” for the implementation of a more permanent solution from the HSE and health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. The hospital is in Ms Carroll MacNeill’s Dún Laoghaire constituency.

He added that parents “supporting seriously ill and injured children deserve dignity, comfort and proper facilities”.

According to the National Rehabilitation Hospital, it treated 84 children and young people in 2025. Some 51 completed a full rehabilitation programme, with 33 admitted for assessment or a specialist programme. Some 64 of the children had an acquired brain injury, while 19 had a spinal cord injury. One child had limb absence.

• Louise Burne, Political Correspondent