Rotunda Hospital facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rotunda Hospital |
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| Health Service Executive - RCSI Hospitals | |
Rotunda Hospital frontage on Parnell Street
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 Location in Central Dublin
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| Geography | |
| Location | Parnell Square East, Rotunda, D01 P5W9, Dublin, Ireland |
| Coordinates | 53°21′09″N 6°15′45″W / 53.3526°N 6.2626°W |
| Organisation | |
| Care system | HSE |
| Hospital type | Specialist |
| Affiliated university | Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Dublin City University |
| Patron | Bartholomew Mosse |
| Services | |
| Speciality | Maternity hospital |
| History | |
| Founded | 1745 |
The Rotunda Hospital (Irish: Ospidéal an Rotunda) is a very old and important hospital in Dublin, Ireland. It's a special kind of hospital called a maternity hospital, which means it helps pregnant women and new mothers. It's known for being one of the oldest hospitals in the world that has continuously helped mothers and babies. Today, it is managed by RCSI Hospitals.
Contents
A Look Back: The Rotunda Hospital's Story
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The Rotunda Hospital was started by Bartholomew Mosse in March 1745. He was a surgeon and a midwife, and he was very concerned about the difficult conditions pregnant women faced. The hospital first opened on George's Lane.
In 1756, King George II officially recognized the hospital with a special document called a Royal Charter. The hospital was originally named "The Hospital for the Relief of Poor Lying-in Women, Dublin." The term "lying-in" was an old way to describe giving birth and resting after the baby was born.
Dr. Mosse worked hard to raise money for a bigger hospital. He organized concerts, art shows, and even a lottery. Thanks to his efforts, the hospital moved to a new building in December 1757. This new building was designed by Richard Cassels.
In 1762, a chapel was opened at the hospital. Wealthy people in Dublin would attend services there, and the money they donated helped support the hospital.
Around 1781, doctors noticed that many babies were getting sick and dying soon after birth. This was because the hospital rooms didn't have enough fresh air. After they improved the ventilation (air flow), the number of babies who died went down a lot. This showed how important clean air and good hygiene were for patient care, a lesson that Florence Nightingale later emphasized in hospital design.
A very important medical event happened at the hospital in 1889. The first caesarean section surgery in Ireland was performed there. This is a surgery to deliver a baby through the mother's abdomen.
The Rotunda Building
The word "Rotunda" in the hospital's name comes from a round building next to it. This round building was designed by James Ensor and finished in 1767. It was first used for fancy parties and events.
Later, more buildings called the Rotunda Rooms were added. These were designed by Richard Johnston and finished in 1791. By the early 1800s, the hospital became known as the Rotunda Hospital because of this famous round building.
Over time, the Rotunda building changed its purpose. It became a theatre, and in 1913, it hosted the first public meeting of the Irish Volunteers. It was even used as the Ambassador Cinema for a while. Today, the Rotunda Rooms are home to the Gate Theatre, a well-known playhouse.
What the Hospital Does Today
The Rotunda Hospital is special because it has been helping mothers and babies without stopping since it first opened. This makes it the oldest continuously working maternity hospital in the world.
It's estimated that over 300,000 babies have been born at the Rotunda Hospital! Besides helping patients, the hospital is also a training center for future doctors and nurses. It works with Trinity College Dublin to teach new medical professionals.
See also
In Spanish: Hospital Rotunda para niños
- General Lying-In Hospital, London
