When your child is ill, getting medical attention as quickly as possible is vital.

The last thing that any parent should have to worry about when trying to attend an important appointment or rush their child to the emergency room is where they are going to leave their car. Unfortunately for parents with children attending Crumlin Children's Hospital, this is very much the case. Three months ago I wrote about this issue and a recent Facebook post suggests that very little has been done to resolve the parking problem at one of the capital's busiest hospitals. The Drimnagh Residents Association shared a post on their Facebook page highlighting the issue and trying to find ways to assist parents in dire need of a solution. Within the status they shared a message which was sent to them;

"hi my name is (name withheld for privacy) i have a young boy going to crumlin hosptial for cancer treatment over the winter mts if possible could i ask to park outside a house near the hospital as he is very weak i will driving from co tipp .it would be a great help .thank you in advance"

Over the years there have been many similar inquiries sent to local groups but still, nothing has been done by the hospital or government to help, with all energy seemingly going into the building of the new children's hospital at St.James. Residents in the local community will be meeting tonight to discuss the issue at 8 pm in Our Lady's Hall, Mourne Road. The original post was inundated with comments from people offering up their driveways to anyone who may need it.

" I’m just in crumlin Park beside the hospital anyone is more then welcome to park outside my house ,just pm me the night before so I can hold the space as sometimes the workers from the hospital park outside."

As a parent, I find it incredibly frustrating that so many families are being put in this situation and that this concern is being added on top of the stress of looking after a sick child. It is uncertain if this issue will ever be resolved but thanks to the local residents there is some support at hand for those attending the hospital.