Children’s rights
All children and young people have rights. They were laid down by the United Nations in 1989 in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC: Convention on the Rights of the Child | UNICEF). All countries in the world (with the exception of the USA) have undertaken to respect and implement children’s rights in their country and to monitor their implementation. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child defines rights to protection, promotion and participation and states that the best interests of the child must always be the primary consideration. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is not only important for the healthcare system because of the right to the highest attainable standard of health and the best possible medical treatment.
The Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital respects the rights of sick children and adolescent patients and at the same time recognizes that overriding structural requirements still stand in the way of comprehensive implementation of the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This charter is based on the charters of renowned international children’s hospitals (Boston Children’s Hospital, SickKids Toronto, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades Paris, Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital London) and the Charter on the Rights of Children in Hospital drawn up by the European Association for Children in Hospital. The Hauner Charta helps to strengthen the rights of sick children and adolescent patients and to better implement them in everyday clinical practice.
Article 1
Children and adolescents in hospital have the right to respect for their dignity, to have their physical, mental, spiritual and social needs taken into account and to have their personal, cultural and religious identity respected.
Article 2
Every child and adolescent has the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, to the best possible medical care and to benefit from facilities for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health.
Article 3
Children and adolescents should only be admitted to hospital as inpatients if the medical treatment they require cannot be provided equally well at home or in a day clinic.
Article 4
Children and adolescents in hospital have the right to have their parents or another caregiver with them at all times, regardless of their age or state of health.
Article 5
Children and adolescents in hospital have the right to receive comprehensive information about their illness and treatment in a way they can understand. Discussions should be conducted with sufficient time, undisturbed and in a pleasant, child-friendly atmosphere.
Article 6
Children and adolescents in hospital have the right to express their opinions and views with regard to diagnostic and therapeutic measures and all other relevant aspects of their health care and to be taken seriously in this respect. They should be involved in all decisions concerning their healthcare and make decisions about their treatment in accordance with their abilities. They should be given sufficient time and support for the decision-making process. In the event of a conflict between the wishes of the child and the wishes of their parents, the treating team should attempt to resolve this conflict in the best interests of the child by taking appropriate measures (discussions, information), possibly with the involvement of the Clinical Ethics Committee.
Article 7
Children and adolescents in hospital have the right to have their best interests considered as a priority in all actions that affect them directly or indirectly. They should be treated with tact, care and understanding in all circumstances. Their privacy and intimacy must be respected at all times.
Article 8
Children and adolescents in hospital have the right to be cared for together with other children and adolescents in an age-appropriate environment. They should not be admitted to adult wards. Extensive opportunities for play, recreation, leisure activities and schooling should be provided, even if this is difficult due to their illness (or disability). The environment should be planned for children and adolescents and equipped accordingly.
Article 9
Children and adolescents in hospital have the right to know the name and respective responsibilities of the members of staff caring for them. They shall be cared for by staff who are trained and empathetic and capable of responding to their physical, emotional and developmental needs.
Article 10
Children and adolescents in hospital have the right to maintain their relationships with others, even during medically indicated isolation. There shall be no age limit for visitors to children and adolescents in hospital.
Article 11
Children and adolescents in hospital have the right to the best possible supportive pain therapy as well as comprehensive and age-appropriate palliative care.
Article 12
Children and adolescents in hospital have the right to be protected from all forms of maltreatment, abuse, violence or neglect. Measures should be taken to alleviate physical and emotional stress. Every child must be protected from unnecessary medical treatment and examinations.
Article 13
Children and adolescents in hospital have the right to be educated within their individual capabilities so that they can gain independence and autonomy in dealing with their illness.
Article 14
Children and adolescents in hospital have the right to continuity of care and support. This should also be guaranteed beyond the pediatric context.
Article 15
Children and adolescents have the right to participate in medical progress. Children and adolescents with serious, complex, chronic, rare diseases have the right to have their (unknown) disease researched. It should be ensured that they have access to controlled scientific studies.