Old friends and new faces gather to celebrate 50 years of St Finbarr’s Rehabilitation Unit

HSE South West today welcomed current and former staff to celebrate 50 years of the Rehabilitation Unit at St Finbarr’s Hospital campus, marking five decades of rehab care for older adults.

The Rehabilitation Unit consists of two wards, St Clare’s and St Oliver’s, with a total of 71 beds. These 71 beds cared for 518 admissions in 2025 and 364 admissions in the first half of 2026. The unit runs under the governance of Cork University Hospital and offers care focused on supporting patients to return home.

Today, visitors enjoyed refreshments, music and a tour of the rehabilitation unit. Presentations from staff highlighted the person-centered approach and team-working that defines the service. Former patients spoke warmly about the role the unit played in supporting their recovery, independence and wellbeing. Taoiseach Micheal Martin TD also sent a video of congratulations, fitting as he attended the 25th anniversary back in 2001.

Reema Anthony, Clinical Nurse Manager 3, St Finbarr’s Rehabilitation Unit said:

“Today is a joyful day for St Finbarr's Rehabilitation Unit, where we get to mark half a century of supporting adults to maximise their independence and return home. Our aim is to reduce long-term care admissions and increase home discharges with support, where needed.

“The team here includes physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, dieticians, social workers, occupational therapists, a discharge co-ordinator, pharmacists, household staff, specialty nursing, geriatricians and healthcare workers. It’s lovely to catch up with current and former colleagues and friends of the unit today and take pride in the amazing care provided here over the past 50 years.”

Opened in 1976 as the Acute Admission and Assessment Unit, the service began in temporary prefab buildings. Early leaders, including Patricia Lydon and the late Dr Michael Hyland, championed comprehensive geriatric assessment and multidisciplinary rehabilitation at a time when specialist care for older adults was limited. Dr Hyland’s impact helped shape geriatric medicine in Ireland and inspired future leaders in the field. Over the years, the service has expanded, with strong growth in health and social care teams and the integration of comprehensive, team-based rehabilitation planning.

Mari O’ Donovan, Acting Healthcare Area Manager Cork South and West, HSE South West commented:

“I’d like to congratulate all the team at the Rehabilitation Unit at St Finbarr’s Hospital campus on their 50th anniversary. We are very proud of the professional care offered to patients by the incredible team on their rehab journey, but as important is the warmth and compassion shown to those who have passed through the doors over the past 50 years.

“The unit is a prime example of how Sláintecare should work - providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time. I know of so many families across Cork and beyond who are so grateful to the team in helping them get a loved one fit enough to go home. We look forward to continuing that excellent standard of care for the next 50 years.”

Recent developments at the unit include a focus on Age Friendly Healthcare systems excellence, CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) accreditation standards, service expansion after COVID-19, and governance with Cork University Hospital.

ENDS