The HSE plans to open six surgical hubs across Ireland to increase the capacity for day case surgery and minor procedures. Each hub plans to deliver 10,000 day case surgeries and minor procedures, and 18,500 outpatient consultations annually.
“Reducing waiting lists and waiting times for patients is a key priority for the HSE,” says HSE CEO Bernard Gloster. “By moving day case procedures to the surgical hubs, hospitals around the country will have greater capacity for patients who require emergency and more complex care.”
South Dublin Surgical Hub
The surgical hub in South Dublin was officially opened in February by Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD. It consists of four theatres and will deliver additional capacity to support scheduled care for day cases and reduce waiting lists. This will enable the separation of scheduled and unscheduled care and allow existing acute capacity to support urgent and more complex procedures in South Dublin. The hub, under the governance of St James’s Hospital, includes state-of-the- art facilities with one of the first green theatres in Ireland.
Limerick Surgical Hub
Construction has commenced on the Limerick surgical hub, a HSE Mid West project that will significantly increase theatre capacity in the region and reduce the times patients currently wait for day surgery.
The €60 million complex will have two operating theatres and two procedure rooms and will be located at the former Scoil Carmel site on O’Connell Avenue in Limerick City. It is scheduled to come into operation before the end of 2026.
Galway Surgical Hub
Construction of the surgical hub is currently underway on the Merlin Park campus. It is expected that the building infrastructure will be completed in Q4 2025 and the hub will be commissioned soon thereafter. The surgical hub will provide regional capacity and operate under the governance of Galway University Hospitals. The facility will support decongestion on the University Hospital Galway site, where there are significant demands and volumes of scheduled and unscheduled patient services, including many planned and scheduled day case procedures and a very significant unscheduled care stream.
Waterford Surgical Hub
Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD officially turned the sod on the Waterford surgical hub on Friday 13 June. The new state-of-the-art healthcare facility is designed to reduce patient waiting times in the South East.
The completed development will comprise of two fully operational theatres and two further theatres that can be fitted out at a later date if needed. The new theatres will deliver additional capacity to support scheduled care for day cases and reduce waiting lists. This will enable the separation of scheduled and unscheduled care and allow existing acute capacity to support urgent and more complex procedures at University Hospital Waterford.
Swords Surgical Hub
Construction on the surgical hub in Swords is progressing on site with the current projected completion date for the construction element being Q1 2026. Once complete, the building will be handed over to HSE service colleagues, who will take operational control and governance of the facility, complete the clinical commissioning and operationalise the facility.
Cork Surgical Hub
Exciting developments are underway on the Cork University Hospital campus, where the new Cork surgical hub is taking shape.
Designed as a regional centre of excellence, the hub will serve patients not only from Cork but also from Kerry and beyond – bringing high-quality surgical care closer to home for thousands. The facility will support over 90 surgeons and is being delivered on schedule and within budget. It is expected to welcome its first patients in July 2026.
The Cork surgical hub is one of the fastest-moving capital projects in recent memory, and its development marks a significant step forward in addressing waiting lists and improving access to surgical services across the South West.
Staff recruitment has now commenced, with planning underway to ensure the hub delivers a high-performing, patient-centred service. The Cork surgical hub is a key part of the HSE’s broader strategy to enhance regional healthcare infrastructure and improve outcomes for patients through integrated, efficient and accessible care.