Phoenix Children’s Hospital warns Irish facility
Phoenix Children’s Hospital has threatened legal action against a new Irish hospital with an almost-identical name, saying the similarities will confuse patients and jeopardize their health.
“Phoenix Children’s Hospital Ireland,” under construction in Dublin, was named after the mythical bird symbolizing renewal, hope and optimism. It will combine three medical centers into one national children’s hospital when it opens in 2022.
After unsuccessfully asking Irish project managers to reconsider the name in October, Phoenix hospital officials took a more aggressive tack late last month, according to a report from the Irish Times.
On Nov. 27, they sent a warning letter to Irish Minister for Health Simon Harris asking the new hospital to “refrain from
“Phoenix Children’s Hospital will take whatever steps are necessary to protect its name, goodwill and the integrity of its reputation.” Phoenix Children’s Hospital officials’ letter to Irish Minister for Health Simon Harris
leveraging our name, goodwill and reputation” and saying they would “pursue all available legal remedies” if the name moves forward.
The letter said people were already confusing the two hospitals, and officials felt the misunderstandings posed a risk to the patients who depend on the facilities for medical care.
“Phoenix Children’s Hospital will take whatever steps are necessary to protect its name, goodwill and the integrity of its reputation,” the letter said.
David Higginson, executive vice president and chief administrative officer for the original Phoenix Children’s Hospital, said in a statement Wednesday that officials have “addressed our concerns to the appropriate parties in Ireland regarding the potential for confusion between the names.” He said they “look forward to their response.”
Children’s Hospital Group, which manages the Irish hospital project, said Irish officials “are aware of the concerns of the Phoenix Children’s Hospital” and “the Minister will be responding directly to the hospital on the matter.”