St. Joseph’s Hospice was originally established and managed by the Religious Sisters of Charity in 1903. The hospice is now managed by a professional team with the Sisters maintaining their presence for pastoral and philosophical guidance, as well as practical care roles to the patients.

The scheme provides for a new build ‘L’ shaped construction, providing four storeys to the South Block and five stories (with basement) to the North Block. This new block is designed to accommodate additional ward and support facilities for the Hospice and to include new plant rooms at roof level.

The construction involved contiguous piling, concrete retaining walls with structural floor slabs, structural steel frame, curtain walling, brick elevations and is served by three lifts. The North Block of the new wing adjoins the existing west gable of Heenan House with the formation of new link ways through the basement, ground, 1st and 2nd levels.

The piling operation by a mobile rig in confined spaces and close proximity to the adjacent Salvation Army premises and the west footpath to Mare Street required careful monitoring and supervision to protect property, existing statutory services and site personnel.

In the courtyard there are two identical areas of curtain walling with sliding external rainscreen shutters surrounded in stone perimeter detailing.

Internally the first, second and third floors are identical and the ground floor is arranged slightly differently to accommodate the reception area.

Each floors includes one, two and four bed wards and two isolation wards. Each ward has ensuite facilities and each floor has two assisted bathrooms.

Internal finishes include vinyl to the floors and the lower half of all walls are capped with an oak dado rail. Bumper rails are provided to all corridors to prevent damage to the walls. Each bed has a nurse call and an entertainment system which includes a monitor on a moveable arm.