Could you gift a hospital to the nation

joe316

Call me soppy but watching Temple Street Hospital last night had me wondering, if I won the euromillions of say 160 million, I think I could live quite happily with the 60 million if not less and what would I do with the rest.

Sick and ill kids breaks my heart, always had, so seeing them in a run down building with crap facilities but excellent staff just makes my blood boil (even more so when listening to those criminals from the banks over the past days). I was wondering for 100 million (maybe a bit more, maybe ask some people for large donations i.e. Mr. Tax Exile from Holland), could you build a hospital that had all of the modern technology available. Not built by committee after committee that it is just wasting time and money but properly built by the best techniques and is most importantly best for the children. Now I know that 100 million may not build a hospital but just picked that figure outta the air.

No stipulations or anything, dont want it named after me, they can call it the Bertie Ahern Hospital for all I care but maybe the one thing I'd ask is that the many multiples of planned money that was planned for their hospital be put into paying for the nurses & consultants (you can spit at consultants but both of these groups are the ones saving lives), get the best people, etc... But not one penny of the money saved goes into the banks, paying for civil servants or pencil pushers in the hospital. It only goes to front line staff.

Once built and naturally certified for use could you give that hospital over to the state for them to run?

keith16

Possibly with a few stipulations. I don't think I could trust them with the budget for instance.

joe316

keith16 wrote: »

Possibly with a few stipulations. I don't think I could trust them with the budget for instance.

No I'd build it beforehand, none of this committee/civil servant bullish1t that takes years just to decide the colour of the pens to use but have it all done and then hand it over for the state to run

dmc17

joe316 wrote: »

No I'd build it beforehand, none of this committee/civil servant bullish1t that takes years just to decide the colour of the pens to use but have it all done and then hand it over for the state to run.......into the ground

Most likely

A private charitable one, sure
Give it to the state to mess around, no

SEPT 23 1989

If everyone got together minus the civil service and politicians it could be build cheaply and fast

munchkin_utd

there is a new kiddies hospital coming very soon .

and anyhow, till a separate kitty is created for health funding linked to the patient (i.e. universal medical insurance ) then the whole system will remain broken forever as a hospital should benefit directly financially for each patient they treat and not just get a lump sum which has to be spread as thinly as jam in a romanian orphanage.

fishy fishy

did somebody do this in Cork about ten years ago? or am I dreaming

SEPT 23 1989

munchkin_utd wrote: »

there is a new kiddies hospital coming very soon .

2022 at the earliest

keith16

joe316 wrote: »

No I'd build it beforehand, none of this committee/civil servant bullish1t that takes years just to decide the colour of the pens to use but have it all done and then hand it over for the state to run

I mean the yearly operational budget. Consultatants pay would have to be looked at too.

The only thing I would trust the state to do is staff it.

I also wouldn't trust them with any of the supporting infrastructure like IT etc.

krudler

The state could waste 100 million quid before their morning coffee break in fairness.

joe316

keith16 wrote: »

I mean the yearly operational budget. Consultatants pay would have to be looked at too.

The only thing I would trust the state to do is staff it.

I also wouldn't trust them with any of the supporting infrastructure like IT etc.

Sorry if I misread you.

That would be the difficult part, the day to day after costs of it after its built and what do you do?

You could, in theory. Unfortunately, while it's easy to say "I'm going to build a hospital with modern technology without all the committees" - it's impossible to do so.

Committees will always be required.

A committee to choose who is best to choose what equipment is best. To research best practice. To ensure buildings are to code. To ensure they are best for infection prevention and control. To ensure that they are built with patient safety in mind. So many things that I couldn't possibly list.

It's not as simple as throwing up a new building, expertise in many areas are required.

joe316

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

If everyone got together minus the civil service and politicians it could be build cheaply and fast

Thats my point, for 100 or 150 million I believe you could build a hospital that is out of the world for sick kids, I would want a hospital where the kid's mind is blown every time the go (especially those with terminal illnesses), put a cinema in there, have a massive playroom, a school to keep their education up if they can, amazing food (proper healthy food).

I genuinely believe if people who had money saw that it was built for proper reasons and its not going into the black hole of the government coffers then they would give their money and their time.

For example Im thinking Norman Foster or Daniel Liebskind (spelling) to design, get one of the good Irish chefs to come up with a good healthy and interesting menu, the list is endless (just not Diarmuid Gavin for the gardens though! I'm sure these people are human and wouldn't charge as much as they normally would for these types of things.

joe316

Deleted User wrote: »

You could, in theory. Unfortunately, while it's easy to say "I'm going to build a hospital with modern technology without all the committees" - it's impossible to do so.

Committees will always be required.

A committee to choose who is best to choose what equipment is best. To research best practice. To ensure buildings are to code. To ensure they are best for infection prevention and control. To ensure that they are built with patient safety in mind. So many things that I couldn't possibly list.

It's not as simple as throwing up a new building, expertise in many areas are required.

Oh I know that but instead of having a committee full of TDs wives, etc.. that are only there for the junkets but have genuine experts in the field, I know it would take time for this initial analysis and design but when I said committee I meant the traditional Irish committee made of "who you know" rather than "what you know"

joe316

joe316 wrote: »

Oh I know that but instead of having a committee full of TDs wives, etc.. that are only there for the junkets but have genuine experts in the field, I know it would take time for this initial analysis and design but when I said committee I meant the traditional Irish committee made of "who you know" rather than "what you know"

Like I said, it's possible in theory of course - but where would you start?

Who decides who knows best to begin with? There are huge amounts of people involved in building a hospital, how can you ensure that each one of those people doesn't fall into the "well I have a friend who...." trap?

Corkbah

joe316 wrote: »

Oh I know that but instead of having a committee full of TDs wives, etc.. that are only there for the junkets but have genuine experts in the field, I know it would take time for this initial analysis and design but when I said committee I meant the traditional Irish committee made of "who you know" rather than "what you know"

experts also want money (usually doesn't matter what the cause is...money rules) .... in this country though its almost impossible to have a good panel of experts without someone with political affiliation.

OP...if I ever win the Euromillions - some of it will go towards this idea.

SEPT 23 1989

joe316 wrote: »

Thats my point, for 100 or 150 million I believe you could build a hospital that is out of the world for sick kids, I would want a hospital where the kid's mind is blown every time the go (especially those with terminal illnesses), put a cinema in there, have a massive playroom, a school to keep their education up if they can, amazing food (proper healthy food).

I genuinely believe if people who had money saw that it was built for proper reasons and its not going into the black hole of the government coffers then they would give their money and their time.

For example Im thinking Norman Foster or Daniel Liebskind (spelling) to design, get one of the good Irish chefs to come up with a good healthy and interesting menu, the list is endless (just not Diarmuid Gavin for the gardens though! I'm sure these people are human and wouldn't charge as much as they normally would for these types of things.

You could get discounts from everywhere to build it IF there was no interference and waste from the state

people in general have good hearts especially when there are sick and dying kids involved

joe316

Deleted User wrote: »

Like I said, it's possible in theory of course - but where would you start?

Who decides who knows best to begin with? There are huge amounts of people involved in building a hospital, how can you ensure that each one of those people doesn't fall into the "well I have a friend who...." trap?

Look at whose involved in the best children's hospitals in the UK, the US and mainland Europe. Im sure for a lot of these people, their job is a vocation and would be happy to help, Im thinking the "best" cancer professor (make it a research hospital), etc... I dont trust anyone in this country to build anything for the public sector they all think its a gravy train.

Corkbah wrote: »

experts also want money (usually doesn't matter what the cause is...money rules) .... in this country though its almost impossible to have a good panel of experts without someone with political affiliation.

OP...if I ever win the Euromillions - some of it will go towards this idea.

Cool, how much can I put you down for?? 100/120 mil?

joe316

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

You could get discounts from everywhere to build it IF there was no interference and waste from the state

people in general have good hearts especially when there are sick and dying kids involved

Thats exactly my point, instead of it being 400/500 million it would probably be closer to 200 (complete guestimate) from what you see in previous examples of capital projects in Ireland.

gobnaitolunacy

Maybe one of Sylvanian Families hospitals.

Corkbah

joe316 wrote: »

Look at whose involved in the best children's hospitals in the UK, the US and mainland Europe. Im sure for a lot of these people, their job is a vocation and would be happy to help, Im thinking the "best" cancer professor (make it a research hospital), etc... I dont trust anyone in this country to build anything for the public sector they all think its a gravy train.



Cool, how much can I put you down for?? 100/120 mil?

depends on how much I win .... but it could be 50% maybe more.... one of my cousins had a child with respiratory defects who had to spend a couple of months in Crumlin, I have a friend who is a paediatric doctor specialising in neo-natal care and while I dont have any kids of my own yet, I'd have no problem donating to a facility just incase any future kids I do have would need it.

its an investment in the future and would love to leave a legacy such as this (all I have to do now is win the Euromillions ...the top prize)

Capt'n Midnight

Weren't most of the original hospitals built by public subscription ?
And don't most hospitals try to get the public to donate money ?

We are already gifting hospitals.

Maybe you could buy empty / under used hotels or property and redesign it for respite care or intermediate care or the likes - it would take some of the pressure off existing hospitals and carers, take excess capacity from the hotels sector and take property off the banks / nama books.

I'm sure there are plenty of suitable properties around the country that could be reused.

joe316

joe316 wrote: »

Look at whose involved in the best children's hospitals in the UK, the US and mainland Europe. Im sure for a lot of these people, their job is a vocation and would be happy to help, Im thinking the "best" cancer professor (make it a research hospital), etc... I dont trust anyone in this country to build anything for the public sector they all think its a gravy train.

It's just not as simple as all that, there are certainly many who would volunteer time and expertise - but you would be disappointed at how many wouldn't.

I'm not trying to sound negative, it's just that I know what's involved in building a healthcare facility.

I have huge plans for my Euromillions win too, to include suicide prevention/cystic fibrosis/autism and more - I already donate money to crumlin hospital and other charities, but building an actual hospital is not something I think I could consider taking on.

KTRIC

I thought about this myself in the past. Personally what I'd do is speak to the board of directors of an existing hospital and ask them to provide a list of equipment that they need but cant get funding for. Dont tell them how much you are giving them and then pick the most important stuff and tell the hospital to bill you for it. Simlples

KTRIC

KTRIC wrote: »

I thought about this myself in the past. Personally what I'd do is speak to the board of directors of an existing hospital and ask them to provide a list of equipment that they need but cant get funding for. Dont tell them how much you are giving them and then pick the most important stuff and tell the hospital to bill you for it. Simlples

And the staff to train/operate the new equipment? Or lack of staff to even use it in the first place?

Whoopsy is right, if you did want to get involved, there'd be a hell of a lot any way you look at it unless you just threw money at them.
You would certainly need to investigate best practice elsewhere, hire groups to research, etc etc
But I would prefer doing that than donating

up for anything

joe316 wrote: »

For example Im thinking Norman Foster or Daniel Liebskind (spelling) to design, get one of the good Irish chefs to come up with a good healthy and interesting menu, the list is endless (just not Diarmuid Gavin for the gardens though! I'm sure these people are human and wouldn't charge as much as they normally would for these types of things.

There you go throwing money away like an Irish government even though you mean well.

What is a good Irish chef? Someone with a high profile and an even higher fee? What's wrong with asking a regular Irish mammy to do it out the goodness of her heart or a team of Junior Cert Home Economics students. It's not rocket science.

SEPT 23 1989

up for anything wrote: »

There you go throwing money away like an Irish government even though you mean well.

What is a good Irish chef? Someone with a high profile and an even higher fee? What's wrong with asking a regular Irish mammy to do it out the goodness of her heart or a team of Junior Cert Home Economics students. It's not rocket science.

you can be in charge of the hiring and firing:D

up for anything

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

you can be in charge of the hiring and firing:D

I run a tight ship. There will be no hiring and everyone else is fired. Take a pay rise, up for anything.

jimgoose

The only way I'd have the HSE in there is chained upside-down in the basement.

joe316

Well maybe I jinxed myself yesterday but my baby ended up in Crumlin last night, needless to say I am on the hunt to find out who won the euromillions.

joe316

joe316 wrote: »

Well maybe I jinxed myself yesterday but my baby ended up in Crumlin last night, needless to say I am on the hunt to find out who won the euromillions.

Jesus. Hope everything is ok joe.

joe316

Deleted User wrote: »

Jesus. Hope everything is ok joe.

Ah yeah, he's grand has a viral infection so has a temperature and been vomiting a bit but he's a tough little cookie (he's 10 months but the size of a 2 year old!) but he didnt have to stay over thankfully.

Corkbah

afraid to say.... sorry Joe316 .... Euromillions was not won by me - hope the baby doesn't have to enter the doors of Crumlin ever again.