Press Release: 28 September 2026
Taoiseach and Minister for Health open new HSE Surgical Hub in Cork
Today the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD, and Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, officially opened the new Health Service Executive (HSE) Surgical Hub in Cork, providing care for the South West Health Region. The significant additional capacity provided by this new Hub will deliver thousands of day-case procedures, minor operations and outpatient consultations every year.
Opening the new Hub the Taoiseach said:
“It is vital that health infrastructure meets the needs of patients. The Surgical Hub opening today in Cork is an excellent example of this. By providing patients with a clear pathway through their elective care experience and ensuring timetabled appointments that are protected from pressures in the acute system, we can deliver high-quality timely treatment. This ultimately means better care for everyone.
“By developing new facilities such as this state-of-the-art Surgical Hub, we are ensuring that Ireland’s healthcare system is fit for the future.”
Minister Carroll MacNeill TD added:
“I am delighted to see this new Surgical Hub in Cork open, helping to make a real difference to people’s lives. I am very impressed by the modern facilities, which utilise the latest equipment and technology to provide a massive boost to our capacity and help to drive down waiting times for elective treatments.
“It is fantastic to know that many thousands of people will benefit from the treatment they will receive in this new Hub, whether that be for a hernia, carpal tunnel syndrome or pain relief injections. This Hub will ensure that they receive the care they need where and when they need it.
“I look forward to seeing the real difference we are making with this national elective care network. These Hubs are designed so that patients move seamlessly in one direction, from registration to pre-admission to the operating theatre, to the recovery bay, and then, on the same day, are discharged home.”
Operational activity will commence from 29 September, with a phased introduction of services. Once fully operational, this Hub is expected to deliver additional annual activity of approximately 8,000 day-case procedures, 5,700 minor operations and over 18,400 outpatient department (OPD) appointments.
The HSE Surgical Hub in Cork is part of the wider Sláintecare Elective Care Programme which is delivering Surgical Hubs and Elective Treatment Centres across the country to ensure that elective care capacity can meet demand and that the health service is fit for the future. Three Hubs are already operational (the Reeves Centre in Tallaght and the Surgical Hubs in Mount Carmel and Swords). A further three are due to start treating patients in the coming months in Limerick, Waterford and Galway, with two more Hubs in Sligo and Letterkenny currently in the design phase.
By separating routine procedures and treatments (which can be delivered in the Hubs) from emergency cases, we can ensure that the Hubs operate efficiently, uninterrupted by seasonal surges, localised outbreaks and emergency demands. This not only benefits the patients attending the Hubs but also means that acute hospitals will have capacity freed up to deal with more complex and urgent cases.