Cork surgical hub expected to open between March and June

Cork’s surgical hub, which was due to open in 2024, is now due to open between March and June, and will cater to 28,000 patients a year.

The progress update comes as the HSE said almost 80,000 people are on waiting lists for procedures at Cork hospitals.

A HSE spokesperson said: “The HSE surgical hub based at Cork University Hospital (CUH) is due to open in [the second quarter] of 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, comprising of circa 4,000 additional day case procedures, 5,800 additional minor operations, and 18,500 additional outpatient consultations.”

Data shows there were 79,700 people awaiting treatment in a Cork hospital as of the end of September, including 1,4783 waiting 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 he welcomed the progress update on the surgical hub at the CUH.

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

“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.”

Enabling works commenced at CUH in the fourth quarter of 2023 and were completed in the second quarter of 2024, the HSE previously told The Echo. Having secured planning permission, a contractor was appointed in the fourth quarter of 2024 to commence construction works.

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