National Gender Service Launches New Website
A new website was launched to promote the National Gender Service (NGS), which was established by the HSE in 2018 and based at St Columcille’s Hospital. The NGS provides specialist support to people who are seeking medical and surgical interventions to help affirm their gender. The website will act as the first port of call for those seeking more information on gender care at the NGS. This includes information on the referral pathway to the NGS, including waiting times and what people can expect from each step in the process. Contact numbers and email addresses are also available on the website so people can contact the service directly with any questions or queries they may have.
For more information please visit the website: nationalgenderserviceireland.com email to: nationalgenderservice@hse.ie or phone: 01- 211 5045.
In-Patient Covid Initiatives
COVID-19 has created enormous challenges in how we communicate, therefore the staff at St Columcilles Hospital have developed some vital quality improvement initiatives to help patients and their families keep close communication and support during these uncertain times. Below are just a few that have been brought in this year.
Comfort 4 COVID Patient Video Calls

Patients of St Columcille's and their families can now access a video call service thanks to 'Comfort 4 Covid' who have supplied the hospital with Lenovo Tablet Computers. Family members can call the ward their relative is resident on and organise a video call with the nursing staff.
'Information for Patients attending St Columcille's during Covid 19 reopening'
St Columcille’s Hospital has resumed elective day case procedures, radiology and outpatient clinic appointments, waiting lists will be called in chronological order focussing on patients who have had appointments or procedures cancelled due to COVID19. Physical distancing measures to ensure patient safety will reduce capacity and we thank everyone for their continued patience. Virtual clinics are continuing for some appointments.
Prior to your appointment you will be contacted to complete a pre-appointment questionnaire and you will be advised whether or not you require a pre- procedure Covid 19 swab test. On the day of your appointment we request that you attend the hospital on your own however if this is not possible, one relative /carer may accompany you. Please arrive at the time indicated on appointment letter. If our waiting areas are busy we may ask you and/or your family member to wait in your car and we will contact you to return to the hospital at your appointment time.
Patients who are travelling from a distance or dependant on public transport to attend our clinics are advised to inform us of this when we call, we will try and accommodate your appointment time to ensure you do not have to wait around the hospital for long periods.
The Injuries Unit continues to provide a service and no appointment is necessary however you may be asked to wait in your car if the waiting area is busy
The Medical Assessment Unit is by appointment only through your GP.
The hospital is operating a parcel drop off/collection service for inpatients and can arrange video calls on request, for more information please contact us on 01 282 5800 and ask for the Patient Liaison Officer.
As per HSE guidance we ask all those attending the hospital to wear face masks/covering and perform hand hygiene.
'St. Columcille's Injury Unit'
A video about St. Columcille's Injury Unit - Open 8am to 6pm 7 days a week 365 days a year.
‘Seomra Sólás’- Family Room Opened
The new family suite was opened in SCH in May of this year. A project long in the making that saw many ups and downs in its creation but thankfully has now been delivered for all the families of critically ill and palliative patients in St Columcille’s Hospital.
Spearheaded by the ‘Hospice Friendly Hospital Committee’, chaired by Dr Clodagh O’Dwyer, huge amounts of time and effort were put into securing funding for the project. Eventually after some excellent fund raising initiatives and the pulling in of many favours, money was raised to convert a former office into a modern and comfortable suite with washing and cooking facilities for families staying with their relatives in the hospital.
Furniture for the suite was generously supplied by Murphy’s Liquidation Furniture.
E-DOC launched at St. Columcille's
The minister for Health Simon Harris TD officially launched the ‘EDoc’ out-of-hours GP service at St Columcille’s Hospital in May.
The minister was joined on the day by SCH’s General Manager, Linda O’Leary and members of the EDoc team.
The service operates from 18.00 through 08.00 Monday to Friday and 24 hours Saturday, Sunday and all bank and public holidays. EDoc will provide a full managed service, with Call Handling, Nurse services, GP’s, Clinical Nurses to cover a catchment area of Bray, and Greystones, as well as other areas of South County Dublin.
PJ Paralysis
Our hospital is looking to end PJ Paralysis. Currently approximately 65% of our inpatients are wearing their Pyjamas during the day in hospital. We want to encourage all our patients to wear their own clothes whilst in hospital.
Rapid Improvement Events
As part of the Ireland East Hospital Group we are involved in quality improvement initiatives. Please click on the link to the video to see an example of the work undertaken.
St Columcilles Hospital, Loughlinstown, Co.Dublin, Ireland
Phone: +353 (01) 2115000