Over the past three years, researchers commissioned by the Department of Psychology at UCD and the health services research centre at the Royal College of Surgeons interviewed 166 children aged between seven and 12 years to find out what they thought of hospitals.
Yesterday, at the second Biennial Health Service Research Group Conference at UCC, the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, was presented with the results.
Children interviewed in three hospitals in Dublin found them to be friendly. Nurses were seen in a particularly good light.
A significant minority found it hard to understand the language used by doctors. More than half were unhappy with hospital food and most thought there were insufficient games and activities.