Send flowers to Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel
Tipperary University Hospital in Clonmel was formerly known as South Tipperary General Hospital. Here is how to send flowers that arrive in the right place and are welcome.
Same hospital, new name
If you are looking for South Tipperary General Hospital, you are in the right place. The hospital is now called Tipperary University Hospital and is a public hospital in Clonmel, County Tipperary. The hospital belongs to the South/Southwest Hospital Group. Many local people, and plenty of old websites, still use the earlier name, so it is worth knowing that both names mean the same hospital.
The hospital has 318 beds, of which 217 are in-patient beds, 25 are for day cases, 25 are for emergency department patients and two are for labour ward admissions. A further 49 beds are reserved for psychiatric patients. It serves south Tipperary and neighbouring parts of Waterford and Kilkenny.
A hospital with a long history
The hospital has its origins in the Clonmel Union Workhouse and Infirmary, designed by George Wilkinson and opened in October 1853. The Sisters of Mercy managed the clinical side of the infirmary from 1883. It later became St. Joseph's Hospital, Clonmel, and after a major expansion it re-opened as the Clonmel County Medical and Maternity Hospital in 1950. Generations of local families have been born, treated and cared for here, which explains why a gift of flowers carries real feeling.
About Clonmel
Clonmel is one of two county towns of Tipperary, along with Nenagh, and it is the largest settlement in the county. The name comes from the Irish Cluain Meala, honey meadow, probably a nod to the fertile land around it. A section of the medieval town walls survives near Old St. Mary's Church. The town is noted in Irish history for its resistance to the Cromwellian army.
Clonmel hosts the Clonmel Junction Festival for nine days from the first weekend of July, a busking festival in August, and the International Film Festival Ireland. The racecourse at Powerstown Park stages National Hunt and flat racing. If you are travelling to see a patient, expect busier roads on festival and race days.
What to check before you send flowers
Ring the hospital and ask the ward whether flowers are accepted. The answer may be yes for a general medical ward and no for a critical care unit, a high dependency area or a ward where patients are especially vulnerable. Ask also whether the ward prefers small arrangements. Staff are used to these questions and will tell you quickly.
Write the patient's full name and the ward on the order. If the person has recently been moved, a delivery to the old ward may be delayed or turned away, so confirm the location with a family member on the day you order.
Other ways to show you care
If flowers are not possible, there are other kind gestures. A bouquet can wait at home for the patient's return, a small potted plant can brighten a recovery room at home, and a Mass card is a traditional gift that many Irish families appreciate. If a relative is sitting with the patient day after day, a modest arrangement for them can be just as welcome.
Words for the card
Short and sincere is best. A line such as "Thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery" does the job. Add your name and the names of anyone who joins in. Keep personal or medical comments off the card, because other patients and staff may see it.
Choosing flowers and timing
Pick flowers with a light scent and strong stems, such as roses, spray carnations, gerberas and chrysanthemums. Avoid tall, heavy arrangements that tip over on a locker. Choose a weekday delivery date, and if you know the patient is expected home on a certain date, send flowers to the house instead so they arrive on the day of the return.
Did you know? Tipperary University Hospital grew out of the Clonmel Union Workhouse and Infirmary, which opened in October 1853.
Frequently asked questions about flowers to Tipperary University Hospital
Is South Tipperary General Hospital now Tipperary University Hospital?
Yes, the Clonmel hospital now goes by the name Tipperary University Hospital. Many people still use the older name.
Can I send flowers to a patient in Clonmel hospital?
Ring the ward and ask first. Some wards do not accept flowers. Always give the patient's full name and ward.
Where is the hospital?
Tipperary University Hospital is in Clonmel, County Tipperary. It serves south Tipperary and nearby areas.
What else can I send if flowers are not allowed?
Send a bouquet or plant to the patient's home, or choose a card or a Mass card to show you are thinking of them.