Synopsis

This presentation explores how the Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) Innovation team applies human-centred design and co-production to improve paediatric healthcare environments, with a particular focus on neurodiversity-informed design and inclusive care. Working across outpatient (OPD), emergency (ED), and general paediatric services, our team collaborates with young people, families, and multidisciplinary clinical teams including psychology, nursing, and phlebotomy to better understand lived experiences of care. Through structured engagement methods such as workshops, service mapping, and iterative prototyping, we uncover insights that challenge assumptions and reveal unmet needs across physical, digital, and service touchpoints. Our approach emphasises building a shared understanding of healthcare journeys from multiple perspectives. We recognise that experiences of environments and services differ significantly between clinicians, patients, families, and administrative teams. By mapping these perspectives, we identify opportunities to create safer, more therapeutic, and more accessible environments. The presentation will highlight key principles of our work, including co-production, inclusivity, and evidence-informed design, alongside case studies demonstrating practical outcomes. These include projects spanning environmental adaptations, communication tools, digital solutions, and emerging technologies such as augmented reality and AI integration. Particular attention will be given to designing for neurodivergent and neurotypical users, ensuring environments support sensory regulation, reduce anxiety, and promote positive healthcare experiences. Aligned strongly with the DHEI themes of Co-production and Therapeutic Environments, this session offers practical insights into how collaborative design can deliver meaningful improvements within public healthcare settings.