Flowers for patients at Aut Even Hospital, Kilkenny

About Aut Even Hospital

Aut Even Hospital (Ospidéal Áit Aoibhinn in Irish) is a private hospital in Kilkenny. The name comes from the Irish áit aoibhinn, meaning "beautiful place". It stands about 3 kilometres north of the city centre on the R693 road. The American UPMC group, based in Pittsburgh, acquired it in 2020, and it is now called UPMC Aut Even Hospital, though many local people still say simply Aut Even.

The hospital was founded by Lady Desart in 1915 and taken over by the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God in 1933. It has 102 in-patient beds, an 18-bed day surgery and endoscopy suite, four main operating theatres and a catchment area of more than 450,000 people. The range of specialities is broad, from orthopaedics and cardiology to gynaecology, ophthalmology and urology.

What kind of stay is it?

Many patients here are in for planned procedures, so the stay is often short: a day-case operation, an overnight stay, or a few days of recovery. That changes how you should think about flowers. A bouquet that arrives after the patient has already gone home is a missed opportunity, and it may end up on the ward. Ask a relative when the procedure is and when the patient hopes to be home.

If the patient is a day case, it is usually better to send the flowers to their home address, with a delivery date for the day after the procedure.

Ring the ward, then order

Even in a private hospital, the nurses decide what suits a ward. Some are glad to see a small bouquet, while others ask visitors not to bring any because of space, allergies or infection control. Intensive care and high-dependency areas generally do not take flowers. Ring the hospital and ask for the ward, then ask the nurse in charge what is allowed.

When you order, give the patient's full name, the ward or room number if you know it, and the name of the hospital with Kilkenny as the town. Write a short card message. Something like "Wishing you a quick and easy recovery" is warm and appropriate.

Choosing flowers for a hospital room

Private rooms are often larger than bays on a public ward, but a compact arrangement is still easier to place than a tall bouquet. Choose flowers that last in warm rooms, such as alstroemeria, chrysanthemums, carnations and roses, and avoid strong perfumes. If you want to send a plant, ask whether potted plants are permitted, because some units object to soil.

For a patient who has had surgery on the eyes, ears or nose, check with a relative before sending highly scented flowers. Bright colours can help a plain room feel friendlier, and yellow, coral and pale pink are popular.

Visiting Kilkenny

The hospital sits a short drive from the city, so family often combine a visit with a walk in the city centre. If you cannot visit, a bouquet is a way to take part in the day. Send a message to the family by phone as well, so that they know your flowers are on their way.

Kilkenny is on the road between Dublin, Waterford and Cork, and many patients and visitors travel long distances. A delivered gift is an easy way to show that you care when the distance is large.

When the patient is home

Recovery at home can take weeks, and visitors become fewer. A bouquet delivered a few days after the return home, with an offer to help with shopping or a lift to a check-up, is often more welcome than a gift on the ward. Choose a delivery date that suits the patient, and keep the card message light and kind.

Other ways to help

Cards, phone calls, a puzzle book, a magazine subscription or a home-cooked meal for the family can be as meaningful as flowers. If the ward does not allow flowers at all, any of these is a fine alternative. For anything more serious, follow the family's lead about what they would like.

Did you know? Aut Even comes from the Irish áit aoibhinn, which means 'beautiful place'.