Send flowers to Bon Secours Hospital, Cork

The Bon Secours Hospital in Cork is a private hospital part of Bon Secours Mercy Health, a group that also includes hospitals in Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Tralee. The separate hospital and convent blocks were completed in 1915. The hospital has 343 in-patient beds, 30 day-case beds, 30 endoscopy beds and 6 oncology day spaces, and it treats more than 18,000 admissions and 29,000 outpatient attendances a year. A flower delivery to a patient here needs a little planning, because wards differ in what they allow.

Ring the ward first

Every ward sets its own rules for visitors and flowers. Some units, such as intensive care, do not take flowers at all, and other wards ask relatives to keep gifts small. Before ordering, ring the hospital switchboard and ask for the ward where the patient is staying. Ask whether flowers are accepted and whether a florist can deliver to the ward directly or to reception. These rules vary from one day to the next, and a call takes two minutes.

What to put on the order

Give the patient's full name exactly as it appears on their records, the ward or room, and the hospital name. If the person has had surgery, check that they are still in the hospital on the delivery date. Add your own name and a short message on the card. A small hand-tied posy or a compact arrangement fits better on a locker than a tall vase, and a low scent is kinder in a shared room.

When to send flowers home

If the ward says no, or the patient is in for a short stay, wait and send flowers to the home address. Many people recovering from an operation find it nicer to come back to flowers on the kitchen table. For day cases, such as endoscopy or a procedure with a short recovery, the home address is usually the best choice. A plant can be a good alternative to cut flowers, because it lasts longer.

Services the hospital provides

The hospital offers cardiology, diagnostic imaging, respiratory medicine, diabetes services, intensive care and oncology, among others. A Rapid Access Chest Pain clinic opened in 2008, and a Specialist Breast Care Clinic in 2009. A Daffodil Centre, run with the Irish Cancer Society, opened in 2011, and the Bon Secours Cork Cancer Centre, in association with UPMC, opened in 2019. For patients undergoing cancer treatment, choose flowers with a gentle scent and avoid heavily scented lilies, as some patients find strong smells hard to bear.

Thoughtful alternatives

If flowers are not possible, consider a card, a book or a small gift for the patient's family. For the staff, a box of sweets or a thank-you card to the ward is often appreciated, though you should check the ward's policy first. A handwritten letter can mean more to someone in a hospital bed than a bouquet, and it can be read again at home.

Visiting and timing

Visiting hours differ by ward and change from time to time, so the ward is the best source. Avoid ordering for a time when the patient is likely to be in theatre or at a scan, and tell the florist about any known schedule. If the patient is moving between wards, ring again before the delivery.

After the hospital

Once the patient is home, a bouquet in the right colours can lift the mood. Choose seasonal flowers in the shades the person likes. If you are sending a get-well message, keep it light and offer practical help, such as a lift to the next appointment.

Timing and tone

Private hospitals often have a more settled routine, but patients still rest at certain times of the day. Afternoon deliveries are usually easier on the ward than early mornings. Keep the card cheerful but not too jokey, because patients may be in pain or anxious, and let the flowers do most of the talking.

Did you know? The Bon Secours Hospital in Cork received Joint Commission International accreditation in 2005.