A new centre in Dún Laoghaire providing a dedicated rehabilitation service is the first of its kind in the country.
After a long campaign for the establishment of an adequately staffed and equipped rehabilitation centre, the opening provides new hope for those in need.
The National Organisation for Rehabilitation, an advisory and coordinating body whose members were appointed by the Minister for Health, recommended the establishment of the centre.
The National Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, was officially opened by Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mr Seán MacEntee.
The centre was formerly a sanatorium known as 'The Cedars'. Prior to the development of the rehabilitation centre, patients were sent to Stoke Mandeville in England for care.
The first patients were admitted to the centre in April 1961 and it now accommodates up to 120 patients. The official opening marks the completion of a new annex to the building. £120,000 had been allocated by the minister for the necessary improvements to the building to adapt it for its new purpose. The centre will provide clinical expertise, personalised treatment including occupational therapy, physiotherapy and a prosthetic limb service.
The building was blessed by Archbishop of Dublin, John Charles McQuaid. Among the guests at the ceremony were Dr Ludwig Guttman, Medical Director of the National Spinal Injury Section.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 10 February 1963. The footage shown here is without sound.
