Ireland Opens First Psychosocial Research Hub for Childhood Cancer Survivors

Barretstown, a therapeutic recreation center for families affected by serious illnesses, is launching Ireland's first psychosocial clinical research hub. This initiative aims to make social and emotional care a standard part of treatment for children and young people facing cancer and other serious conditions. Since its founding in 1994, Barretstown has supported 175,000 families through holistic recovery and emotional support services.

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holistic supports are crucial for children to be able to forget about their condition and for families to be given the help they need.

The launch highlighted the critical importance of psychosocial care, as emphasized by childhood cancer survivors. Ciara Hoolahan, who received support from Barretstown in the early 1990s after being diagnosed with a bone tumor, spoke about how holistic care helped her and her family cope. Her experience inspired her to become a nurse at Children's Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin.

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had the all-clear from cancer, she's rang the bell

Eight-year-old Hayleigh Price, who recently completed treatment for a Wilms tumor, also shared her family's positive experience with Barretstown. Her mother, Leanne, described the support as invaluable, making them feel "normal in an upside down world." Hayleigh has received the all-clear from cancer.

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made her family feel 'normal in an upside down world'

The new research hub will be led by Dr. Chiara Besani, Clinical Lead of the National Paediatric Psycho-Oncology Service. Barretstown asserts that while psychosocial care is recognized by the WHO and endorsed by the government, it is not yet consistently integrated into national healthcare for all seriously ill young people. The center sees it as its responsibility to embed this crucial aspect of care nationwide.

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Psychosocial care is at the core of Barretstown. It is evidence-based, WHO recognised and Government endorsed.