Opening date for surgical hub at Cork hospital put back to September

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has announced that Cork’s surgical hub at Cork University Hospital (CUH) will open later than intended, in the second half of this year.

The hub, which was initially due to open in 2024 and was later postponed until June 2026, will now officially open at CUH on September 29.

A spokesperson for the HSE has said the original building construction has been fully completed, with an additional two theatres still under construction.

The planned handover for these theatres has been set for the end of July, with the fit-out phase to start imminently once snagging is complete. It is expected that the fit-out will be completed by August.

Once operational, the hub will cater for to up to 28,000 patients per year.

Additional day-case procedures

This will consist of 4,000 additional day-case procedures, 5,800 additional minor operations, and 18,500 additional outpatient consultations, delivered through a six-day working model across 50 weeks annually.

Speaking to The Echo, Social Democrats Cork South Central TD Pádraig Rice said it was really important that the facility opens as soon as possible.

“The surgical hub is certainly welcome. It’s going to add a lot of additional capacity for routine non-emergency care,” said Mr Rice.

“I really do hope that they meet this target, because too many other projects, like the Children’s Hospital, have been delayed for too long.

“Our key concern really is the elective hospital, because the surgical hub is just the first stage, there can’t be any delays with that, we need a strong commitment that this project will be progressed.”