Royal Victoria Hospital

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  • Address
    274 Grosvenor Rd, West Belfast
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  • Phone
    9024 0503

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Lonely Planet review

The Royal Victoria Hospital claims to be the world's first air-conditioned building. The artwork railings date from 1906. Known locally as the RVH, it played an important role in creating the first ever portable defibrillator and, in the 1970s and '80s, developed a well-earned reputation for expertise in the treatment of gunshot wounds.

The wavy form of the railings mimics the structure of DNA - look for the little yellow Xs and Ys for X- and Y-chromosomes - and the portraits (laser-cut in sheet steel) chart the progress of a human life from birth to the age of 100.

For advice on medical and dental emergencies, call the 24hr NHS Direct on 0845 4647.