The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital is a charitable voluntary hospital and holds a unique place in the delivery of healthcare not only to the community of North Dublin but also to the rest of the country with its tertiary services. The Hospital was established in 1861 under the auspices of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy. The Mission and Ethos of the organisation is a reflection of Catherine McAuley's devotion to the sick and elderly in the Dublin of her time. This philosophy is effected through the Office of the Director of Mission Effectiveness whose principal remit is to ensure the widest possible promotion of the mission to hospital staff, patients and their relatives.

The hospital has two national specialities, cardiothoracic surgery (including transplantation) and spinal injuries. Regional specialities include, ophthalmology, dermatology, breast cancer screening and oncology. The hospital also provides services under a range of medical and surgical specialities, including cardiology, renal services, general and vascular surgery, urology and orthopaedics.

The hospital has 570 beds including day beds and approximately 3000 employees.

The Mater Campus comprises:

• A Medical School affiliated to University College Dublin and the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin.
• A Centre for Nurse Education in partnership with the School of Nursing University College Dublin
• A School of Physiotherapy affiliated to University College Dublin.
• An Institute of Radiological Science offering MSc and PhD programmes.
• An Institute of Ophthalmology (UCD).
• A Mater College for Postgraduate Education & Research.
• A Department of Child and Family Psychiatry offering MSc in Child and Family Psychotherapy. (UCD)
• Professions Allied to Medicine who provide clinical practice for students attending various third level institutions.
• An independent private hospital.

Last updated: November 23, 2004