Send flowers to the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital

The hospital and who it treats The Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, usually called the Eye and Ear, is a public teaching hospital in Dublin and the national referral centre for both eye disorders and ear, nose and throat conditions. It was founded in 1895 and is a registered charity, governed by a president, a council and a hospital management group. It forms part of the Ireland East Hospital Group.

It provides 80 beds, of which 60 are for in-patients and 20 are in the day care unit, and ten beds are reserved for children. Around two-thirds of the beds are for ophthalmology patients and the rest for ear, nose and throat patients. The hospital sees more than 90,000 patients every year, including more than 7,000 in-patients, so many people stay for a short time only.

A hospital with a long history The hospital was created by merging the National Eye Hospital, founded in 1814 by Isaac Ryall, with St Mark's Ophthalmic Hospital for Diseases of the Eye and Ear on Lincoln Place, founded by Sir William Wilde in 1844. A site was bought on Adelaide Road in 1899, and patients moved into the new Queen Anne style building in February 1904. Dr Kathleen Lynn, later a prominent figure in the 1916 Rising, was the first woman doctor to work there, from 1910.

A private ward of nine single rooms, the Harvey Lewis Wing, was added in 1925. If your friend is in a private room, the arrangements for visitors and deliveries can be different from the general wards, so say so when you ring.

Why short stays change how you send flowers Because many patients are in for a day or two after eye or ear surgery, flowers sometimes arrive after the person has gone home. Before you order, ring the ward and ask how long the patient is likely to stay, whether flowers are allowed and who receives deliveries. If the stay is short, you may prefer to send the flowers to the patient's home so they are waiting after discharge.

Patients recovering from eye surgery may have blurred vision or be sensitive to light, so a bold, bright arrangement is not always the most comfortable gift. A soft, simple bouquet is often better, and a lightly scented plant is easier to enjoy than a very fragrant one, particularly after ear, nose and throat operations when smell and breathing can be affected.

Addressing a delivery Give the patient's full name, the ward or unit, and the hospital name and Adelaide Road, Dublin address as the ward gives it to you. Add a contact number for yourself so staff can reach you if the patient has already been discharged. If you cannot find out the ward, ask the family, because the hospital will not necessarily be able to share a patient's details.

A compact arrangement is easiest for staff to place, and a low container with water already inside is best. Avoid long-stemmed bouquets that tip over on a small locker.

If flowers cannot be accepted Some units do not take flowers at all, and patients sometimes have a reason such as an allergy or a weakened immune system. In that case, a card, a book or a small treat is a good alternative. You can also send the bouquet to the patient's home, ready for their return, or to the relative who is looking after them, with a note of support.

Children are treated here too, with ten beds for paediatric patients, so for a young patient think about a small cuddly gift or a colouring book alongside, or instead of, flowers, and check the ward's rules first.

Gifts for staff and family A lot of people in Dublin attach a thank-you to a stay. A bunch of flowers or a card for the ward team after discharge can be sent to the hospital with the ward's agreement. Ask the ward whom to address it to, and write a short, warm message.

If the visit is related to a family loss, keep the card simple and follow the family's wishes as set out on rip.ie. In every case, choose a delivery date after your phone call, not before, so you know the flowers will be welcome.

Did you know? The hospital was formed in 1895 by merging the National Eye Hospital, founded in 1814, with St Mark's Ophthalmic Hospital, founded by Sir William Wilde in 1844.