Surgery hub at Cork's CUH is due to open in 2026

Cork’s surgical hub is due to open between March and June of next year, and will cater for 28,000 patients a year, the HSE have said, as nearly 80,000 people are on waiting lists at Cork hospitals.

The hub was initially supposed to open in 2024. A HSE spokesperson said: “The HSE surgical hub based at Cork University Hospital [CUH] is due to open in Q2 2026. The hub at CUH will consist of two operating theatres and two minor procedure rooms, recovery spaces, OPD spaces, and support accommodation.

“The primary purpose of surgical hubs is to enhance day case surgery and ambulatory capacity in order to address waiting list pressures.

“When fully operational and on an annual basis working at six days a week, 50 weeks a year, each HSE surgical hub is expected to deliver care and consultations for over 28,000 patients.”

This will consist of 4,000 additional day-case procedures, 5,800 additional minor operations, and 18,500 additional outpatient consultations.

Latest data shows that 79,700 people were awaiting treatment in a Cork hospital as of the end of September, including 14,783 for more than a year.

Fianna Fáil TD Pádraig O’Sullivan, to whom the information was provided on foot of a parliamentary question, told The Echo: “I welcome confirmation from the HSE that the new surgical hub based at Cork University Hospital is scheduled to open in Q2 2026.

“This development represents a significant step forward in tackling the persistent challenges of waiting lists and delayed access to treatment.”

Mr O’Sullivan added: “The surgical hubs are designed to increase capacity for day-case surgeries and ambulatory care, enabling hospitals to manage patient flow more efficiently and focus resources on those requiring more complex procedures.

“Once operational, the CUH surgical hub will not only benefit patients in Cork, but will also serve as a vital resource for the wider region, including Kerry and beyond.

“The opening of this facility will play a key role in reducing waiting lists and waiting times, ensuring faster and more effective care for patients across the South-West.”

Enabling works commenced at CUH in Q4 2023 and were completed in Q2 last year, the HSE previously told The Echo.

Having secured planning permission, a contractor was appointed in Q4 2024 to commence construction works.

An indicative construction programme suggested it will take around 18 months to build, and, following construction, a commissioning period of eight to 12 weeks to equip and prepare each facility for operational use will then be required.