A nostalgic review of a Hospital Relocation logistics project had us ‘Reeling in the Years’ from 1998. Cronin Movers Workplace Relocations team were given the task of managing this hugely significant and complex relocation of three Dublin Hospitals to the new purpose built Tallaght Hospital, which went on to become the Tallaght University Hospital. This is believed to be the largest ever single commercial relocation project ever undertaken in Ireland.

WHAT WAS INVOLVED

This was a highly complex relocation involving the relocation of offices, office equipment, IT equipment, medical records, operating theatres, clinics and highly sensitive medical equipment from the Adelaide Hospital, the Meath Hospital and the National Children’s Hospital (Harcourt Street). As a result, this relocation project required careful planning and project management to minimise the disruption to each hospital, its staff and the general public.

We established a mobile operations unit to support the onsite logistics and positioned signs in strategic locations to communicate with all stakeholders.

Our Workplace Relocations team worked with the four Hospital teams involved to plan the logistics of each move to use resources as efficiently as possible. Having previously coordinated so many commercial moves, all of the systems, processes and experience were deployed to streamline the logistics.

With our team having specialist crating capabilities all sensitive medical equipment, including large diagnostic scanners and x-ray machines were carefully packaged for transportation in bespoke crates to protect the equipment in transit. Our team ensured each crate was unpacked and all key equipment moved to its final position in the new Tallaght Hospital.

THE OUTCOME

Tallaght Hospital was opened in 1998 after the successful relocation of three Dublin hospitals to the superb new facility. After extensive planning the physical relocation of all three hospitals happened in a matter of days.The relocation involved 3,000 staff over 500 beds and 12 theatres. We even moved the angel which had stood over the National Children’s Hospital for over 100 years.

The management and staff were delighted with the outcome and our efforts to minimise the disruption to services.

The CEO said: “The move was planned in an exemplary fashion and executed in the most professional manner on schedule. I, together with my Management Team, would highly commend their efficiency, helpfulness and friendly staff, for whom no request was too much trouble.”