Adelaide Hospital
Encyclopedia
The Adelaide Hospital was a general and teaching hospital in Dublin, Ireland
until it became part of the new Tallaght Hospital
in 1998.
, was incorporated into the hospital in 1894.
The Adelaide hospital was a general teaching hospital for many years and in the forefront of medical advances. Its charter, which dates from 1920, was one of the last royal charters granted in Ireland.
When the Irish Hospitals' Sweepstake
was set up in 1930 to finance hospitals, the Adelaide was the only hospital at the time not to accept money from the Hospitals Trust, as the governors disapproved of sweepstakes.
After its incorporation with the Meath Hospital
and the National Children's Hospital the Adelaide became part of the new Tallaght Hospital
in June 1998. The former hospital building in Peter Street has been converted into apartments.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
until it became part of the new Tallaght Hospital
Tallaght Hospital
The Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin, incorporating the National Children's Hospital , often referred to simply as Tallaght Hospital , is a teaching hospital in Tallaght, County Dublin, Ireland. Its academic partner is the University of Dublin, Trinity College...
in 1998.
History
The hospital was founded in 1839 by Dr. Albert Jasper Walsh (1815–1880) when he was just 26 years old, and was originally intended only for Protestant patients. The well-known John T. Kirby and Maurice Colles were honorary surgeons. Its first premises was at 43 Bride Street and it continued there until 1846. It was then closed for a time and after refunding re-opened in Peter Street in 1858, close to two existing schools of medicine. One of these, the Ledwich SchoolThomas Hawkesworth Ledwich
Thomas Hawkesworth Ledwich was an eminent Irish anatomist and surgeon.-Life:He was born in Waterford, where his father practiced law, son of Edward Ledwich and Catherine Hawkesworth, both of Queen's County...
, was incorporated into the hospital in 1894.
The Adelaide hospital was a general teaching hospital for many years and in the forefront of medical advances. Its charter, which dates from 1920, was one of the last royal charters granted in Ireland.
When the Irish Hospitals' Sweepstake
Irish Hospitals' Sweepstake
The Irish Hospitals' Sweepstake was a lottery established in the Irish Free State in 1930 as the Irish Free State Hospitals' Sweepstake to finance hospitals, and is often referred to as the Irish Sweepstake...
was set up in 1930 to finance hospitals, the Adelaide was the only hospital at the time not to accept money from the Hospitals Trust, as the governors disapproved of sweepstakes.
After its incorporation with the Meath Hospital
Meath Hospital
The Meath Hospital in Dublin, Ireland was founded in 1753. Situated in the Earl of Meath's Liberty, the hospital was opened to serve the sick and poor in the crowded area of the Liberties in Dublin....
and the National Children's Hospital the Adelaide became part of the new Tallaght Hospital
Tallaght Hospital
The Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin, incorporating the National Children's Hospital , often referred to simply as Tallaght Hospital , is a teaching hospital in Tallaght, County Dublin, Ireland. Its academic partner is the University of Dublin, Trinity College...
in June 1998. The former hospital building in Peter Street has been converted into apartments.
Notable physicians
Among the notable physicians who have been associated with the Adelaide Hospital are:- Dr. James LittleJames Little (physician)Dr. James Little was an eminent Irish medical practitioner. After spending an early part of his career as a ship's surgeon, surviving a shipwreck, he became chief physician at the Adelaide Hospital in Dublin and Regius Professor of Physic at the University of Dublin.-Early life:Little was born in...
(1837–1916) (President of the Royal College of Physicians of IrelandRoyal College of Physicians of IrelandThe Royal College of Physicians of Ireland , was founded in 1654 and is a postgraduate medical organisation comprising Members and Fellows...
from 1886 to 1888; Regius Professor of Physic (Dublin)Regius Professor of Physic (Dublin)The Regius Professorship of Physic is a Regius Professorship in Medicine at the University of Dublin, Trinity College. The seat dates from at least 1637, placing it amongst the oldest academic posts at the university...
from 1898 to 1916) was physician to the hospital for a period of 46 years until shortly before his death.
- Dr. Sir Henry Swanzy (1843–1913) was a distinguished eye specialist and ophthalmic surgeon to the hospital.
- Dr. Richard Dancer Purefoy (1847–1919), President of the Royal College of Surgeons in IrelandRoyal College of Surgeons in IrelandThe Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , is a Dublin-based medical institution, situated on St. Stephen's Green. The college is one of the five Recognised Colleges of the National University of Ireland...
and one of the leading obstetricians and gynaecologists in Ireland, was Obstetrical Surgeon in the hospital for 21 years.
- Dr. Ella Webb (1877–1946), appointed anaesthetist in 1918, was the first female member of the staff. She immediately established a dispensary for sick children in the hospital. She became an MD in 1925 and then worked with Kathleen LynnKathleen LynnKathleen Florence Lynn was an Irish Sinn Féin politician, activist and medical doctor. She was born to a Dublin Church of Ireland family and educated in England and Germany before graduating as a doctor in 1899 from the Royal University of Ireland.An active suffragette, labour activist and...
in St. Ultan's hospital which Lynn had founded.
- Dr. William Alexander Gillespie (1912–2003), who had an international reputation in the field of hospital infections, started his career as house officer in the hospital and returned as a consultant in 1977.