Infirmary’s role as leper hospital detailed in new book

THE history of a landmark Waterford hospital that closed amid public protests during a previous round of health cutbacks is told in a book being launched today.

Written by Dr Niall Byrne, A History of Institutional Medicine in Waterford recalls the experiences of patients and medical staff at the Waterford County & City Infirmary and its predecessor, the Waterford Leper Hospital of St Stephen.

Established as an infirmary by an Act of Parliament in 1896, the former hospital on John’s Hill in the city is now an apartment complex following its closure in 1987. The leper hospital previously occupied the site, having moved there in 1785 from its original location at Stephen Street in the city centre.