Dublin hospital projects due to receive funding 

FIVE Dublin hospitals have been granted funding as part of the Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) and HSE’s Design & Dignity Grants Scheme which transforms hospital spaces for patients at end of life. 

Projects funded include a mortuary refurbishment and extension at the Coombe Hospital, a family room in both Beaumont Hospital and Connolly Hospital, an Emergency Department Bereavement Room in Tallaght Hospital and a Palliative Care Suite in the Mater Hospital.

Approximately €394,000 has been provided in total by the Design & Dignity Grants Scheme towards the five projects with each hospital also allocating their own funds. 

Huge local fundraising efforts throughout several Dublin communities were instrumental in helping the hospitals raise required funds.

Mary Lovegrove, Design & Dignity Project Manager with the IHF, said: “The Coombe Hospital’s new mortuary refurbishment and extension will incorporate a homely family room, a garden and a chapel. 

“The vision of the hospital is to create a sanctuary where parents can spend time with their baby who has died, in tranquil surroundings away from the clinical areas. 

“In Beaumont Hospital a new family room will be created on Banks Ward providing a welcoming, warm and calm atmosphere where patients and families can have private meetings with the healthcare team. 

“The room will also incorporate overnight accommodation so relatives can rest during the night if they wish.”

Ms Lovegrove said the vision for Connolly Hospital’s family room on Elm Ward is for an inviting and respectful sanctuary for patients and families. 

“Designed with a kitchenette, overnight facilities, soft furnishings, bright colours and art work the room will create a calming and peaceful space within the ward area,” she said.

“In Tallaght Hospital a bereavement room will be upgraded in the Emergency Department where a family can be with their deceased relative in a quiet, bright and dignified place. 

“Finally, in the Mater Hospital nurses and doctors have offered up their office spaces to develop a two-roomed palliative care family suite. 

“Located in the heart of Our Lady’s Ward the suite will be designed using a sensitive colour palette, comfortable furnishings, artwork, wood and other natural materials to transform the space into a non-institutional and non-clinical environment.”

The Design & Dignity programme has been running since 2010 and so far has funded 32 hospital projects across Ireland including 12 Dublin hospital projects.