Mortuary at University Hospital Limerick nominated for Healthcare Building Project of the Year award
The mortuary extension at University Hospital Limerick has been nominated as a finalist in the ‘Healthcare Building Project of the Year’ category at The Irish Healthcare Centre Awards 2015.
The hospital in Dooradoyle was awarded a Design & Dignity grant in 2011 totalling €285,000, along with funding from HSE estates, which was used to transform the old mortuary into a calming dignified space for bereaved families.
The Design & Dignity Project is operated in partnership between the Irish Hospice Foundation and HSE. The scheme aims to transform the way hospital spaces are designed for people at the end of life, and to set the standard for other hospitals to follow.
The new mortuary facility at University Hospital Limerick wraps around an internal tranquil garden. Family members are automatically drawn to this light and bright space which can be viewed from many angles. This feature allows them the opportunity to reflect and prepare themselves for viewing their loved ones.
All entrance doors have the end of life spiral engraved on the glass which adds a rightful degree of respect and solemnity. The three stranded spiral inspired by ancient Irish history is multi-denominational, and represents birth, life and death. The outer circle represents continuity, infinity and completion.
The provision of a kitchenette in the mortuary allows for tea and coffee making facilities, while a privacy room, away from the main area, offers a tranquil space for families to have time together in a protected and supporting space.
Denis Casey, End of Life Care Coordinator at University Hospital Limerick said, “The grant allowed us to make major improvements to the mortuary and this has created a much more inviting space for families to congregate following the death of their loved one. We are delighted that the improvements carried out to the mortuary have been recognised with a nomination for Healthcare Building Project of the Year by the Irish Healthcare Centre Awards.
He added, “University Hospital Limerick would like to acknowledge the support of the HSE in bringing the mortuary project to completion.”
To date 11 projects have been funded across the country under the Design & Dignity scheme at a cost of €1.5m. A further nine hospitals around Ireland will benefit from grants totalling €500,000 this year, which will help transformolder/dated spaces including family rooms, gardens and mortuaries.
Now in their third year, these annual awards will once again attract key healthcare sector executives and professionals together for one night to celebrate their industry achievements, excellence and successes. There are 20+ categoriesincluding Clinical Team of the Year, Primary Care Centre of the Year and Healthcare Person of the Year.
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on March 27th in the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire.
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- Please see attached ‘before’ photo of the old entrance and waiting area at University Hospital Limerickmortuary, and ‘after’ photos of the facility.
For more information on the Design & Dignity Project contact Mary Ellen Breen, Communications Officer at Irish Hospice Foundation on 083 4257674.
For more information on the awards see