Hospital History

Brief History of The South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital

The South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital Ltd. came into existence on 1st January 1988 as a result of the amalgamation of the South Charitable Infirmary and the Victoria Hospital. Prior to that date both Hospitals operated as separate entities from their inception dates – the South Charitable Infirmary and County Hospitals from 1761 and the Victoria Hospital from 1874.

Prior to the amalgamation of the two Hospitals, the ENT services transferred from the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital to the South Infirmary on the 5th October 1987 on the basis that the ENT service at our complex would become a regional unit.

2010

2009

• Consultant Otolaryngologist. Mr. Patrick Sheahan has been permanently appointed to the post of Consultant Otolaryngologist to SIVUH. This appointment is effective from 01/01/09 and is the permanent replacement for Mr. T.J. O’Sullivan.
• Consultant Physician in Endocrinology & Diabetes Mellitus. Dr. Matthew Murphy, Consultant Physician in Endocrinology & Diabetes Mellitus.  This appointment is effective from 01/04/09 and is the permanent replacement for Dr. CH Walsh.
• New Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon. Mr. Christopher Cotter, Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, has been jointly appointed by CUH to the post of Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon. This is effective from 19/10/09.
• The hospital received an excellent positive Casemix adjustment for 2009. SIVUH was in 13th place out of 39 participating hospitals. This adjustment is a reflection of the high efficiency levels maintained in the hospital. 
• SIVUH Melanoma Services wins Willan Bursary. The South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital rapid access pigmented lesion clinic has been awarded the Willan Bursary of €10,000. The national award, sponsored by Abbott Pharmaceuticals, was made to support the expansion of services for patients who have melanoma or who are at high risk of melanoma.
• National recognition for our online referral system for clinics.
• Cork GPs start to refer patients online - Irish Times 14/07/09
• http://www.corkindependent.com/lifestyle/lifestyle/sivuh-extends-pioneering-online-referral-system/- Cork Independent 23/07/09
• http://www.corkman.ie/news/call-for-online-gp-system-to-be-extended-1837363.html- The Corkman 23/07/09
• Hospital Benefits from online referral system - Sunday Business Post, 27/09/09, page 33 Right hand side.
• GPs can now use the SIVUH Online Referral System to refer patients to Cardiology. July 2009.
• Catering and Household department win coveted Q Mark “Team of the Year” award at the National Quality and Excellence Awards 2009.
• Breast Unit Move to CUH. The Symptomatic Breast Care Service in the South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH), Cork was transferred to the Cork University Hospital (CUH) with effect from December 1^st 2009.
• Dr John Walsh, Consultant Anaesthetist passed away on 10^th March 2009. RIP.

2008

• The hospital received a positive casemix adjustment in its 2008 funding allocation from the HSE. This adjustment is the sum of €329,750. This is a reflection of the high efficiency levels maintained in the hospital.
• History was made and another first achieved for the SIVUH and our patients in April ’08. Marie Heffernan, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Diabetes, became the first Registered Nurse Prescriber in the SIVUH and indeed the southern region.
• The National Achievement Awards ceremony took place on 30th of April 2008 in the Mansion House, Dublin. The SIVUH had two entries to the national ceremony as a result of winning two categories at regional level. The Acute Coronary Syndrome Group won the Best Improvement/Best Effort Award. The second entry to the national awards was in the Quality & Safety Stream, as a result of the hospital winning the Quality & Safety Award for HSE South NHO in 2007.
• Work was completed on our Nuclear Medicine Unit.
• SIVUH congratulated the BSc Nursing class of 2004 on their examination success. This class held special significance, as they were the first group to be assigned to the SIVUH for the entire four year programme.
• The Irish Medicines Board carried out an inspection of our hospital blood bank on 10th June 2008. The level of compliance of our hospital blood bank and its operations with the requirements of current legislation detailing the quality and safety of blood and blood components was considered to be acceptable. This is an excellent result which is not easily achieved.
• Work was completed on upgrading our Female Medical Ward.
• The Occupational Therapy Department successfully completed an IMB audit in June and are fully compliant to the EU directive 93/42/EEC for medical Devices (Splints) and related statutory instrument S.I. No. 444 of 1994 (Amendment) Regulations 2001.
• A new service to the hospital is now provided for patients of the SIVUH. The service is a Lymphoedema Therapy and is for patients who suffer from Lymphoedema.
• The SIVUH received the National Hygiene Mark award from EIQA (Excellence Ireland Quality Association) for their outstanding commitment to Hygiene and Food Safety Standards. The process involves a year on year audit of the premises and food safety practices.
• The results of the 2008 HIQA hygiene review were released. The overall grade received was "fair". The SIVUH achieved an increase in 27 of the 56 set standards and was just one grade away from moving to the "good" category.

2007

• The hospital received a positive casemix adjustment of €844,566 in respect of 2007 which was a reflection of the high efficiency levels maintained in the hospital.
• Work was completed on the upgrading of the Female Surgical ward
• The hospital started operating a new C-arm fluoroscopy room.  This equipment replaced the old fluoroscopy equipment and enables us to perform bi-ventricular pace-maker insertions and additional interventional procedure that were previously sent to other hospitals
• Upgrading work completed on Male Medical Ward.
• Work commenced on the upgrading of our Gynaecology Outpatients Department.
• The new MRI opened in its new location beside X-ray.  It is a 1.5 tesla machine capable of performing the latest imaging, including breast MRI.
• EIQA Sapphire Excellence Award ceremonytook place in Dublin. The SIVUH Catering Department was one of the top 5 groups nominated as national finalists in the “Hospital and Health Services Catering Division”.
• Presentation of the National Irish Safety Organisation/ NISG Occupational Safety Awards 2007 took place at the Malton Hotel, Killarney. The SIVUH was awarded the Regional Award for the south of the country.
• The SIVUH PLC service was short listed in the Irish Healthcare Awards 2007, in the category of Best Hospital Project and received a commendation at the Awards Ceremony held in Dublin.
• Work continued on the construction of two isolation rooms adjoining our Medical Rehabilitation Unit.
• Work commenced on developing a Nuclear Medicine Unit.  This unit is essential in providing a sentinel lymph node mapping service to both BreastCheck and our Symptomatic Breast Care Unit.
• The HSE South Achievement Awards Ceremony was held in the Aula Maxima, U.C.C.  The hospital did very well at the Awards Ceremony.  Our Pharmacist’s entry came 1^st, our Resuscitation Training Officer’s entry came 2^nd and our Pigmented Lesion Clinic came 3^rd.  The hospital also received the overall Health & Safety award.  This entry was submitted by our Health & Safety Officer.

2006

• Work commenced on BreastCheck building
• Purchase of adjoining site from Coleman & Sons, Builders
• New Outpatients waiting area opened in Gynaecology Department
• New elevator constructed on Link Corridor
• New offices constructed for Planning Development & Strategy Department
• New offices for Human Resources Department

2005

• Full operation of expanded Cardiology Department incorporating the Chest Pain Assessment Unit
• New Day Surgery and Day Theatre Unit
• Expansion of the Medical Rehabilitation Unit facilities
• Patient Archive and Retrieval System (PACS) established in the X-Ray Department
• Hospital received University recognition and re-named South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital

2004

• Cardiology department transferred to new cardiology unit
• New offices built and opened for Social workers, Portering Services Managers
• Car park for staff opened in Victoria complex with link access from car park
• Accreditation Department opened

2003

• Occupational Therapy Unit opened
• Medical Rehabilitation Unit for Older People – opened September
• Purchase of adjoining site from Irish International Trading Corporation
• New office accommodation adjacent to the Medical Rehab unit for Discharge co-ordinators
• Additional Day Surgery Unit built - to be commissioned and opened at a later date
• New Cardiology Department incorporating a Chest Pain Assessment Unit built – to be commissioned and opened at a later date

2002

• Mammography Room updated
• Bone Densitometer installed in X-Ray Department
• Launch of Hospital Intranet

2001

• CT Scanner installed in X-Ray Department
• Sexual Assault Treatment Unit opened
• Speech & Language Therapy Department opened
• New Diabetes Centre
• EAP Service commenced

2000

• MRI Scanner
• New OPD Unit
• New Admissions Unit
• New Pharmacy Department

1999

• Oncology Unit opened
• Pathology Lab relocated and refurbished

1997

• New ICU / ITU opened.
• Claridge Ward developed and refurbished for use as Physiotherapy Department.
• Old ICU converted for usage exclusively as female ENT Department.
• New Medical Library opened.
• Medical Records Department extended.
• Refurbishment’s to Morris Corridor, Diabetes Centre and Gynaecology/Oncology Department in our Victoria wing.
• G.U.M. (STD) areas refurbished in conjunction with the Southern Health Board.
• Maternity cases were discontinued and the vacated area was redeveloped and expanded including provision of two ensuite rooms and a treatment room.
• Last baby Cian Quirke, born to Mary Quirke of Tralee, in the Maternity Department of the South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital, 24th February 1997.

1996

• Children’s Ward extensively refurbished
• Refurbishment and upgrading of Victoria wing main hallway and corridors.
• A central laundry / receiving unit for the complex was provided at our Victoria wing.
• Areas were refurbished in conjunction with the Southern Health Board.

1995

• Conference Hall / Educational Centre opened during February 1995.
• The vacated Convent Building was refurbished and used as Administration offices. The vacated administration offices in the main building were converted for use as Central Admission Offices, Public Cafeteria.

1994

• New Breast Clinic, exclusively dedicated to the management of Breast disease, was opened.
• New Central Medical Records Department for the complex was opened during the month of March.
• New extended car parking facility at our South Infirmary and Victoria Wings were opened.

15/03/93

Convent residence vacated by Sisters of Mercy / Sr. Kevin Ryan.

12/07/93

Official Opening of Day Ward and Link Corridor extension by Minister for Health, Mr. Brendan Howlin, T.D.

17/04/90

Official Opening of the Link Corridor, Oncology/Gynaecological Department, Dermatology Outpatient Facility, Diabetes Centre and Regional E.N.T. Unit by the Minister for Health, Dr. Rory O Hanlon, T.D.

The South Infirmary (parent institution)

1761: The South Charitable Infirmary opened.

1771/72: Incorporated and established by Act of Parliament (The eleventh and twelfth years of George III).

1811: Dr John Woodroffe, Surgeon to the South Infirmary, founded the first School of Medicine in Cork.

1861: The County Infirmary at Mallow was moved to Cork and merged with the South Infirmary as "The South Charitable Infirmary & County Hospital".

1863: The new General Hospital for the County and City of Cork was officially opened by the Mayor, J S Maguire, Esquire, M.P. The Mayor referred to the manner in which the South Infirmary had been supported by donations and taxation’s and to the small sum contributed to it by the County, although getting great value from it.

1983: Official opening of the refurbished X-Ray Department, new Cardiac Unit, new Stores, together with the turning of the first sod for the new Physiotherapy / Rheumatology Department, by the Minister for Health & Social Welfare, Mr Barry Desmond, T.D. (Substantial portion of the funding raised by voluntary effort).

1984: Official opening of the new Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Department by the Minister for Health & Social Welfare. (50% of the funding raised by voluntary effort).

1985: Official Opening and Blessing of new Casualty and Out-patient Departments by the Minister for Health & Social Welfare, Mr. Barry Desmond, T.D. (50% of the costs raised by fund-raising).

1987: The Regional ENT Services transferred to the South Infirmary on the closure of the ENT Hospital, and a new Out-patient Department and Operating Theatre for the service was provided.

The Victoria Hospital (parent institution)

The Victoria Hospital was originally founded as "The County and City of Cork Hospital for Women and Children" which was opened on Union Quay on 4th September 1874. It was moved to 46 Pope’s Quay on The 31st October 1876 and to its present site on 16th September 1885. In 1901 its name was changed to "The Victoria Hospital for Women and Children". Male patients were first admitted in 1914. On 17th August 1914 the Hospital was registered under the Companies Acts, 1908 and 1913 under the name of "The Victoria Hospital, Cork (Incorporated)".



1885: The old South Infirmary buildings were leased from the Trustees of the South Infirmary. After extensive rebuilding, they were opened as a Hospital on Wednesday, 16th September, on which date all the patients from Pope’s Quay were successfully transferred.

1896: Owing to the serious financial position of the Hospital "The Wonderland Bazaar" was held. As a result of its efforts, the sum of £1,654 was raised, which nearly liquidated the bank overdraft.

1985: One of the stalwarts of the nursing staff, Sister Jenny Morgan, who first joined "The Vic" in 1938, retired.