Children in Ireland are not receiving equal healthcare, according to an expert Consultant Pediatrician.

Dr Peter Lachman says the level of care received in Irish hospitals varies depending on the area.

Dr Lachman's comments come as he prepares to address the issue at a lecture in Dublin this evening.

He says Ireland's healthcare system needs to be standardised.

He said: "Children in different areas will have different outcomes and have different access to care.

"What I think we really need to do is standardise care for the common conditions so that everyone iknows what they are getting and gets evidence-based care that they require.

"This would require some changes to the way we design care."