Albert Dolan
Question:73. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the development of the surgical hub at Galway University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16784/26]
View answerThursday, 5 March 2026
Questions (73)
Written answers
The Government is fully committed to increasing elective-only day-case capacity through the Elective Ambulatory Care Programme. This is being delivered in two phases: a national network of Surgical Hubs in the first instance to meet medium-term demand and capacity, and then a national network of Elective Treatment Centres, also known as Elective Hospitals, in Galway, Cork and Dublin.
These new ‘elective-only’ facilities are for day-case patients, they are not for acute or emergency care. Significant international evidence supports the separation of scheduled (elective) and non-scheduled (emergency) care, leading to improved care for all patients.
Two Surgical Hubs are already operational (the Reeves Centre in Tallaght and Mount Carmel Hub in South Dublin). A further five hubs are expected to open this year in Swords, Galway, Cork, Limerick and Waterford. Plans are also in development for Surgical Hubs in Letterkenny and Sligo.
The Surgical Hub in Galway will be located on the Merlin Park campus. The HSE expects construction to be completed in Q2 this year at which point the contractor will hand over for fit-out, in preparation for the Hub to become operational from Q3.