Looking back at the opening of Cork University Hospital

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly this week announced that plans for the delivery of a new surgical hub in Cork are progressing.

The hub, to be located at Cork University Hospital (CUH), is one of six being developed nationally to reduce day-case waiting lists in advance of the delivery of the new regional elective hospitals.

Mr Donnelly confirmed that a planning application has been lodged for the proposed hub at CUH and that enabling works are now underway.

Given the news, this week’s Nostalgia column takes a look back at the opening of Cork University Hospital – formerly known as the Regional Hospital.

The foundation stone was laid by the then Taoiseach Jack Lynch, on January 27, 1973 on a green field site.

“Cork’s new Regional Hospital will be of great significance in the development of the health services,” stated An Taoiseach Mr Lynch, when he laid the foundation stone of the hospital at Wilton, n article in the then titled Evening Echo said.

“And it was, the Taoiseach said, a kind of poetic justice that Cork ‘which has waited for so long’ should now be in the van of progress in this way,” the article continued.

Mr Lynch said the design and planning of the development was in “full conformity with the concept of large units, providing a multiplicity of specialist services with the staff working as a team”.

The hospital was completed in 1978, with an Echo article reporting that on November 30 some 400 patients were transferred from St Finbarr’s Hospital.

“The transfer operation went very smoothly.

“The patients were brought by coach and ambulance across the city, with Garda escort, and on this very special day, even the weather remained kind,” the Echo article continued.

More patients, the article said, would be transferred to the new £15m Regional Hospital from St Stephen’s Hospital in Glanmire in the days that followed.

As well as growing internally in terms of staff and services, the hospital has also significantly developed its physical footprint over the decades.

Speaking on the occasion of CUH’s 40th anniversary in 2018, the hospital’s then chief executive Tony McNamara said it had been a highlight to see the hospital develop over the decades.

“For me personally, to see the hospital grow and develop into being able to deliver the most comprehensive range of services in Ireland is a highlight.

“I think the opportunity to work with great people has also been wonderful.

“Their commitment and innovation every single day is inspiring,” he said.

Today, CUH remains one of the biggest and busiest hospitals in the country.

Major developments over the years have included the opening of Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) in March, 2007, and the Cardiac Renal Centre in 2010.

Last month it was reported that upgrades to the hospital’s oncology unit were made possible thanks to major fund-raising efforts.

Retired GP Dr Con Murphy spearheaded a series of fund-raisers which raised more than €300,000.

The money, channelled through the hospital’s fund-raising arm, CUH Charity, have created a comfort care suite for end-of-life patients with a separate sleeping area and kitchen for relatives, a family room and a youth room.