New €5.5m unit funded entirely by donations opens at Temple Street

A new state-of-the-art neurology and renal outpatients' unit has been officially opened at Dublin's Temple Street Children's Hospital.

The €5.5 million cost of the unit, including the build, fit-out and equipment, was completely covered by fundraising. "We were overwhelmed with the kindness and support we received from people all over Ireland who care deeply about the welfare of our children and who wanted to help bring positive change to our hospital," said Denise Fitzgerald, Temple Street Foundation's Chief Executive. Sick child and their families deserve complete emotional, physical and psychological support, she added. 'This new unit will deliver that much-needed holistic and family-focused care." Its two floors will cater for 6,500 children who attend Temple Street for renal and neurological treatment and care. They also contain additional clinical facilities and patient play areas. It will open to patients this week, replacing outdated and overcrowded units that the hospital says are now unfit for purpose. The unit was officially opened by Brian O'Driscoll this afternoon. "I’ve been a Temple Street Ambassador for over ten years now, and in that time, I have seen tremendous change across the hospital thanks to people’s generosity,' the rugby legend said. "Temple Street isn’t just a building. It is a community that is like no other - made up of a close team of caring medical staff and loving families who all work with one goal in mind – to make sick children better."