'A new era': Opthalmology services from Cork hospitals to relocate to SIVUH 

THE newly completed ophthalmology unit at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH) will start operations on Monday. 

Services are transferring from Cork University Hospital and Mercy University Hospital to the South Infirmary with hopes that the move will improve waiting list times.

This means that from next Monday, both planned and emergency ophthalmology care for the Cork and Kerry region will be provided by SIVUH in this new Ophthalmology Outpatient and Emergency Care Unit.

Blackpool GP and Cork City North West Councillor Dr John Sheehan said welcomed the move. 

“It’s positive news, it will take a bit of settling in as with any new service, but I think everyone would agree that the campus in CUH is very full, and in order to avoid service disruptions you need to take some things out.

“There’s a new surgical theatre in SIVUH, which will be doubling the capacity for ophthalmology, and the whole thing will be coordinated in one place and SIVUH will have governance of the whole system which will lead to a much better quality of service and reduce waiting times.

“There’s a centre in Ballincollig Primary Care service also working on people on long waiting lists at the moment, and that is coming under the governance of SIVUH as well, which will hopefully lead to better, faster care for our patients.” 

Advanced amenities 

The new ophthalmology unit at SIVUH offers an increase in clinical space and includes advanced amenities such as laser rooms, consulting rooms, a corneal topography room, and an electrophysiology room for treatments previously requiring travel to Dublin.

The facility also houses orthoptic and pre-admission assessment services, modern staff amenities, and meeting and educational facilities.

In addition to the new Outpatient and Emergency Care Unit building, a new ophthalmology theatre suite was opened in August 2023 in the main SIVUH campus.

'A new era'

Helen Donovan, CEO of SIVUH, said that the move to a purpose-built, state-of-the art facility in the SIVUH means that patients will access the specialised care they need in a timely way.

“Patients will benefit from improved access, reduced wait times, and the convenience of having all essential services in one location.

“This significant transition marks a new era in ophthalmic care for the Cork and Kerry region, aligning with our commitment to enhance patient experience and accessibility to specialised treatments.” 

All ambulance services will direct ophthalmic emergencies to the ophthalmology unit, SIVUH and the CUH will not have ophthalmology facilities in the emergency department.

Professor John R Higgins, CEO of the South/South West Hospital Group, commented, “By centralising ophthalmology services at the SIVUH, we are enhancing the quality and accessibility of care for our patients.

“This move is a testament to our commitment to continually improving patient outcomes and delivering top-tier healthcare services."