Read while you wait scheme expands in Wexford healthcare
A new initiative placing children's books in healthcare waiting rooms has been launched in Wexford to encourage family reading during waiting periods. This project, developed with local library and literacy partners, aims to foster early literacy and positive reading habits across the county.
Source:
HSE — Health Service Executive
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⏱️ 2 min read
The Paediatric Outpatients Department at Wexford General Hospital recently hosted the launch of the “Read while you wait” initiative, brought to Co. Wexford by HSE Dublin and South East in partnership with Wexford Library Service. This scheme introduces small bookshelves filled with age-appropriate children’s books in waiting areas of HSE hospitals and community healthcare centres throughout the county.
Supported by the Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB) and Adult Literacy for Life, the initiative encourages families to read together during waiting times. Books remain on site to be enjoyed by subsequent visitors, transforming otherwise idle moments into opportunities for shared reading and bonding.
Following a successful pilot in Co. Waterford, where the project received enthusiastic feedback, the programme now extends to multiple locations including Wexford Primary Care Centre, Gorey Health Centre, New Ross Health Centre, the Paediatric Outpatients Department at Wexford General Hospital, and the Children’s Disability Network centre in Barntown. Key figures such as Lisa Nangle, Senior Health Promotion Officer at HSE Wexford, and Orla Fahy, Physiotherapist Manager, emphasised the initiative’s role in supporting child development and wellbeing. Partners like Edel Finan from WWETB, Yvonne Smith from Wexford Library Service, and Margaret Howard from WWETB also highlighted the power of reading to unite families and nurture early literacy in everyday settings.
Supported by the Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB) and Adult Literacy for Life, the initiative encourages families to read together during waiting times. Books remain on site to be enjoyed by subsequent visitors, transforming otherwise idle moments into opportunities for shared reading and bonding.
Following a successful pilot in Co. Waterford, where the project received enthusiastic feedback, the programme now extends to multiple locations including Wexford Primary Care Centre, Gorey Health Centre, New Ross Health Centre, the Paediatric Outpatients Department at Wexford General Hospital, and the Children’s Disability Network centre in Barntown. Key figures such as Lisa Nangle, Senior Health Promotion Officer at HSE Wexford, and Orla Fahy, Physiotherapist Manager, emphasised the initiative’s role in supporting child development and wellbeing. Partners like Edel Finan from WWETB, Yvonne Smith from Wexford Library Service, and Margaret Howard from WWETB also highlighted the power of reading to unite families and nurture early literacy in everyday settings.
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