Highfield Hospital

Highfield Hospital Group is a private hospital group which provides specialist care. It was founded by Dr. John Eustace in 1825 and is currently managed by the fifth and sixth generations of the Eustace family. This new €37 million mental health facility for older people is located next to the site of the existing hospital. The facility consists of a mix of 100 mental health beds and 90 nursing home beds, with a 10-bed unit to provide acute psychiatric care for both the adult and older population.

The landscape of the hospital grounds and setting is of the utmost importance to the client. They have invested in it personally and developed it over the years and it now houses a fine collection of trees, including many rare and unusual species. The first task was to survey and assess the existing trees and to put in place a scheme of tree protection for the construction phase.

The proposed landscape scheme aims to complement the facility by integrating it into the existing parkland setting, creating new entrance spaces and completing a series of secure, therapeutic courtyards for the patients. These courtyards are designed to be fully accessible and incorporate several principles of design for dementia and psychiatric patients, including looped circulation, soft surfacing (EPDM), raised beds, sensory planting and space for patient horticulture.

A paved entrance space aims to tie both the existing and proposed hospitals together through a uniform treatment. Surrounding the visitor rooms is a tranquil pool which creates a peaceful setting for the visitors and also enhances the entrance space. Roof gardens have also been carefully designed for patient access.