- Children must only be admitted to hospital if the care they require cannot be provided equally well in home care or outpatient attendance.
- Children in hospital must have the right to constant contact with their parents and siblings. Where possible, parents should be given help and encouragement to stay with their child in hospital. In order to participate in their child's care, parents should be fully informed about the running of the ward and encouraged to take an active part in it.
- Children and/or their parents must have the right to information in a form appropriate to their age and understanding. They must also be able to talk openly about their needs with staff.
- Children and/or their parents must have the right to participate in an informed way in all decisions about the health care they receive. Each child must be protected from all interventions that are not necessary for his or her treatment and from unnecessary actions taken to relieve his or her physical or emotional distress.
- Children must be treated with tact and understanding and their privacy must be respected at all times.
- Children must receive care from appropriately trained staff who are fully aware of the physical and emotional needs of children of all ages.
- Children must be able to wear their own clothes and have their belongings with them in hospital.
- Children must be cared for together with other children of the same age group.
- Children must be in an environment that is furnished and equipped to meet their developmental needs and requirements, and that also meets recognized safety and child care guidelines.
- Children must have full opportunity for play, rest and learning, appropriate to their age and health.
Developed by the Klíček Foundation and approved by the Central Ethics Committee.
