Sending flowers to St James's Hospital, Dublin

St James's Hospital (Ospidéal San Séamas) is the largest teaching hospital in Dublin, with 1,010 beds, and it is the main teaching hospital for Trinity College Dublin. It stands in the south-west inner city, between James Street and the South Circular Road, about 3 km from O'Connell Street. The most important thing to know before sending anything here is simple: on its visiting page, the hospital says that flowers or plants are not permitted for infection prevention and control reasons. A bouquet sent to the ward is therefore not the way to say get well.

Why the rule exists

In a hospital of this size there are patients with transplants, cancer treatment and weak immune systems on many wards, and standing water in a vase and soil in a pot can harbour bacteria and moulds. That is why the hospital asks visitors to clean their hands on arrival, to stay away if they have cold or flu symptoms, and to leave flowers and plants at home. The same page asks visitors to check with staff before bringing food and says that children under 14 may not visit unless the nurse manager has agreed in advance. Visiting takes place in two sessions a day, one in the afternoon and one in the evening, and wherever possible it takes place off the ward in the hospital concourse.

What to send instead

A card is the simplest answer, and it can be dropped in or posted. Many people send a book, a puzzle magazine, a light blanket or a family photograph for a bedside locker, but check with the ward nurse manager before bringing anything bulky. If a patient is too unwell for visitors, ask the ward how a message can reach them. A message that does not ask the patient to reply is often best.

Flowers for the patient's home

If you want to send flowers, the best moment is when the patient is back home. Ask a family member for the date, and choose a delivery date shortly afterwards, so that the bouquet is waiting in the kitchen or sitting room. A hand-tied seasonal bunch lasts a week or more with clean water. If you do not know the address, ask the family rather than the hospital, since staff cannot give out patient details. A bunch for the relative who has made daily trips to Dublin 8, or for the neighbour minding a pet or a house, is also a kind way to show you care.

Getting there

The Red Luas line stops at the hospital and serves Heuston Station, Connolly Station and Busáras, and the 123 bus route also serves it. Parking in the grounds is limited, so most visitors take public transport. If you are bringing a card or a book in person, you can leave it with the ward nurse manager, who will pass it on, and you should remember that staff may ask you to leave a patient for short periods while essential care is given.

A gentle word on difficult days

The hospital uses a spiral symbol on a ward to show that a patient is dying or has died, and asks visitors to be quiet, respectful and to avoid mobile phones on those wards. If you are sending condolences after a death at the hospital, send flowers to the family, not the ward. Read the death notice on rip.ie, see whether the family wants flowers or a donation, and ask the funeral director where to send them.

Did you know? St James's Hospital grew from a poorhouse whose foundation stone was laid in 1703 and was renamed St James's Hospital in 1971.