Ladysbridge resident becomes first to receive cardiothoracic surgery at new centre in Cork hospital

A Ladysbridge resident has become the first to receive groundbreaking cardiothoracic surgery at Bon Secours Hospital Cork’s new Heart and Lung Centre.

Micheál O’Neill, a 47-year-old resident of Ladysbridge in East Cork, is the first patient to undergo a groundbreaking cardiothoracic surgery at the centre.

Launched in September, the new centre aims to transform healthcare access and recovery experiences for the region’s residents, with Bon Secours Hospital Cork, expecting to treat a significant number of patients each year with advanced heart and lung procedures.

“Instead of patients from the region needing to travel to Dublin for heart surgery, Cork has the potential to become a national destination for this advanced procedure, which shortens recovery times and helps patients return to work and daily activities much sooner,” leading consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Mr Kishore Doddakula said.

Since its launch, the Heart and Lung Centre has completed several landmark procedures, showcasing the impact of minimally invasive techniques.

The groundbreaking approach used in Mr O’Neill’s surgery led to a shortened hospital stay of just four days, far below the typical recovery time for traditional open-heart surgery.

Speaking about the surgery and recovery, Mr O’Neill said: “Once I checked into the Bons, I relaxed totally.

“I had a very positive experience. I was well looked after; the staff were lovely”.

Mr Doddakula added: “It’s remarkable to see how quickly patients like Micheál are able to get back to their regular activities. This approach not only benefits patients in terms of recovery speed but also allows for reduced scarring and a faster return to daily life.”

The Bon Secours Heart and Lung Centre is the first of its kind in a private setting in Munster, transforming access to specialised heart and lung care for the region’s residents.

With state-of-the-art facilities and a highly skilled clinical team, the centre is poised to deliver best-in-class care for patients across Ireland’s South-West and beyond.

This launch is part of the hospital’s ongoing mission to set new standards in healthcare, ensuring that communities in Munster can access specialised care without the need to travel far from home.