Harney opens €25m Dublin care centre
Tánaiste Mary Harney today officially opened the new €25m Bloomfield Care Centre in Dublin today.
Situated on a 10 acres site in Rathfarnham, this purpose-built facility has replaced those which were in continuous use since the early 19th century at Bloomfield Avenue in Donnybrook.
The development marks the start of a new era for Bloomfield, which has been caring for the elderly, since it opened in 1812. Founded by subscriptions from members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), the hospital opened to treat the mentally ill in a more caring and enlightened manner than that generally prevalent at the time.
Bloomfield remains under the control of a voluntary committee of management appointed from members of the Religious Society of Friends.
The new 7,800 square metre Bloomfield Care Centre currently provides 65 of a proposed total of 115 psycho-geriatric beds for patients with high and medium dependency levels.
To date five of the 10 acres have been developed. Plans for the second phase of the development are at an advanced stage and building work could be completed by late 2006.
