Barretstown to establish Ireland's first Psychosocial Clinical Research Hub in Kildare
Barretstown is the leading provider of psychosocial care for children and young people experiencing serious illness in Ireland
Barretstown, Ireland’s leading provider of psychosocial care for seriously ill children and young people, has announced its intention to establish Ireland’s first Psychosocial Clinical Research Hub in Kildare.
The announcement comes as the charity welcomed its 175,000th camper and launched its new strategy which will expand its remit.
It also reflects the organisation’s commitment to guaranteeing psychosocial care is a part of every treatment plan for children and young people in Ireland that are living with cancer and other serious illnesses.
For over 30 years, Barretstown has been the leading provider of psychosocial care in Ireland and has generated approximately €2.2 billion in social value, which is proof of what dedicated psychosocial care can achieve and how it can fill needed gaps in the Irish healthcare system.
Barretstown’s new strategy aims to address this. Ireland’s health landscape for those under 25 faces extraordinary challenges.
According to the National Cancer Registry Ireland, an average of just under 370 young people are diagnosed with cancer every year in Ireland, while almost 1 in 5 children have a long-standing illness or health problem. This creates additional pressure on young people and families, who need more support.
To provide this support and restore more lives, Barretstown is expanding its work to make psychosocial care the standard across Ireland. Its new strategy, which will see this expanded remit come to fruition, is built on four key pillars that will shape best practice, lead pivotal research and transform national care systems.
The launch of this new strategic direction also coincides as Barretstown unveils a new brand. Driven by the Barretstown Youth Board, who are past campers, the new brand reflects the new identity and direction that the charity is taking.
Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said: "I am delighted to join Barretstown in celebrating the launch of its new strategy and the establishment of Ireland's first Psychosocial Clinical Research Hub. For more than 30 years, Barretstown has transformed the lives of children and young people affected by cancer and other serious illnesses by providing a place where they can experience the joy, confidence and sense of normal childhood that every child deserves.
“The creation of this Research Hub marks an important new chapter, recognising that supporting children through serious illness requires more than medical treatment alone. By advancing research into the social, emotional and developmental needs of children and families, this work will help strengthen evidence-based approaches to psychosocial care and contribute to improving outcomes across our health system.
“Barretstown's impact extends far beyond its camps, reaching families, siblings and communities. It has delivered immeasurable benefits to tens of thousands of children over the past three decades. I commend the staff, volunteers, supporters and former campers whose dedication has made this success possible.”