Bloomfield Hospital in Rathfarnham, Dublin, is set for a change in ownership as the Quaker board steps back due to an ageing leadership team and a smaller supporting community.

The hospital, a registered charity operating for over 200 years, provides care for patients with long-term mental health conditions and neuropsychiatric disorders, including Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, dementia, and schizophrenia.

Funded mainly by the Health Service Executive (HSE), the hospital reported a net surplus of just over €2.1 million in 2024. The planned transfer aims to ensure strong governance while maintaining uninterrupted care for residents.

Joe Kelly, chief executive, explained, “The board of directors and the wider Quaker community have been reflecting on their capacity to continue providing board-level governance to Bloomfield into the future, considering a number of pressing challenges which include the ageing profile of the board and the shrinking size of the Quaker community.”

Negotiations with a prospective new board are underway, with details to be disclosed once the process is complete, expected in February 2026. Mr Kelly confirmed that hospital operations and patient care will continue as normal throughout the transition period.

The board began reviewing ownership options in early 2024 and plans to update staff and residents with further information in the coming weeks. The move ensures continuity of mental health care services for residents.

The incoming board is anticipated to uphold Bloomfield’s standards of mental health care while reinforcing governance structures to support long-term operations.

Read more about the hospital’s ownership transition and governance plans in the full story.

Photo credits to Bloomfield Hospital’s LinkedIn