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[Image: Spacegroup.ie]
NURSES AND MIDWIVES’ UNION the INMO are planning to develop the former Richmond Hospital in Dublin 7 as an education and events centre, after acquiring the property for €2.9 million in a deal handled by estate agents Allsop Space.
The distinctive red brick structure, built at the turn of the 20th century, adjoins their existing offices at the former Whitworth Hospital on North Brunswick Street. It was modernised as part of a multi-million euro investment in 1996, after the OPW leased the former hospital for use by the courts service.
INMO Deputy General Secretary David Hughes said the union had secured a “real bargain” in the deal, and described the Richmond as one of the “best buildings in Dublin”.
He said it would be used to run educational courses for members, as the union expands its programme of classes in line with the Nurses and Midwives Act of 2011, which stipulates that all nurses must have a portfolio showing they’ve undertaken a certain number of courses in a given five year period.
[Image: Spacegroup.ie]
The building will also be let out to local and other groups to hold meetings and smaller conferences, and Hughes said the additional space would also give the union the ability to bid for European and international nursing conferences.
“Part of the attraction is that it’s almost ready to open straight away following the OPW modernisation — all the wiring is completely computerised, for instance, and the rooms are all very suitable”.
A number of minor works are to be undertaken over the next few months (including the installation of more ladies’ toilets) and it’s planned the centre will open its doors this summer, with courses beginning in September.
Originally part of a complex of three hospitals (the Richmond, the Whitworth and the Hardwick) the building as it stands today was built between 1899 and 1901.
According to the estate agents:
“At the time of construction the hospital was praised for modern features, including warmed filtered air for the theatres, modern ventilation, and the building being raised above the ground by arches.”
[All images: Spacegroup.ie]
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It’s great to see a building being used for something relatively close to its original purpose.
Delighted to see this beautiful building been put to good use wish them every success
Was a patient there twice, once with a fractured skull and the second time to have my appendix out. Nice to see it being put to use. It’s a strange building really, but beautiful in its own way.
I trained there, great memories my group meet every year, it’s a lovely building
Should bring it back as a hospital. You won’t mind the beautiful decor while stuck on a trolley
Is that really what members contributions are for?
A little known fact- Its made out of portmarnock stone. One of several buildings of its era to do so.. others include St Itas hospital Portrane, the barracks on blackhorse ave (the name escapes me).. a lot of the stone was shipped to India.
Also has featured previously as a courthouse in love/hate and many other productions… #johnboy
Only 2.9m? Open in september? How much did they pay their consultants?
Was used as a courthouse for road traffic offences the last while
Apparently there’s an interesting history around how we got this beautiful building in Dublin. There were 2 sets of plans originally. One for an army barracks grey style building which was originally to be built in Dublin and another for this magnificent red brick building which was supposed to be constructed in India. The plans got switched and were sent to the wrong location. So now somewhere in India there is a grey army barracks style building while we have this! My uncle who grew up next to this hospital and went to school nearby often speaks of this mix up. Didn’t we do well?!
My mother trained as a nurse at the Richmond Hospital many years ago. I am sure she would be very pleased that the INMO have bought the building and are going to put it too good use.
Absolutely David! Stunning building and no doubt holds great memories for those who trained there. My own grandfather was also the first baby ever born by Caesarian section in Ireland on Christmas Eve in the old Dr Stephens Hospital across from Heuston Station! He was in the record books for it!!!
What a wonderful building
The English gave Ireland some beautiful buildings.
‘Gave’ would be a stretch now ;)
How much did the OPW spend on it ? Most likely millions and then sold for less. Good luck to the Nurses.
There is something wrong about a Trade Union purchasing a former Hospital to run its affairs. It’s as if they want to boast to the country about their wealth and self importance. Surely the provision of mandatory educational courses is a matter for An Bord Altranais which is the State Regulatory body for Nurses rather than a Trade Union. Why do I think that something is not quite right about this?
Because it’s Ireland.
I see nothing wrong with the INMO buying this building. The INMO os perfectly entitled to make an investment on behalf of its members, to provide training courses and to use the building to host conferences and events. It is indeed a beautiful building and it is good that it is going ti be owned, preserved, developed and used for purposes connected with its history and heritage. Let’s face it, the Irish health service needs more investment in training and professional development and it is good that the INMO is doing this as a private venture rather than pleading for taxpayers’ money either from our own Government or the EU.
David while I understand where your coming from Richie is actually correct it’s the ABA should be providing this service after all every nurse and midwife has to register with them in order to practice; many are not members of the INMO because they charge far in excess of any other union and have a history of selling their membership short. A very big example of this is the new graduate scheme. Also they charge substantial amounts to attend these courses and it’s almost double for non members.
The fee we pay to register every year €100 per nurse/midwife in the country should be used to fund courses for us all.
Don’t be under any illusion the INMO are not doing this to benefit their membership their doing it for profit for their officials. Liam Doran is not a public sector worker he’s a private sector CEO at the end of the day.
These courses are bullshit.
In the interest of transparency, who is being paid and profiting for the nurses to do the courses?
From what I’ve seen on some of the courses, the course material is crap.
Nursing in Ireland has been hijacked.
Would it be Liam and other INMO officials do you think?
They are bullshit. Nurses do courses, then don’t practice what they’ve covered in said courses, then refuse to do the very duties they underwent the course for in the first place because they are “not comfortable to do that” because they haven’t practiced it. For example: Cannulation.
In the interest of transparency, could we perhaps see some data on actual changes to practice that come about as a result of these courses? Would be a nice masters project for some nursing graduate. Any course is only useful if you put it into practice. Otherwise they are just pissing away everyones time and money.
Yes did my training as chef there .in the 80′s great times ….
Would have made for beautiful apartments and duplexes. :-(
This is a beautiful Building and it would be fantastic if the new Owners ensure the Architectural aspects are retained and perhaps visitors could avail of a Tea or Coffee within in the new facility, this may go a long way to let people know what the INMO members actually do for the Public and circumstances they are working in !!
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