Sean Fleming
Ceist:52. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the plans in place for delivering more surgical hubs to provide elective care across the regions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4981/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 22 January 2026
Ceisteanna (52)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government’s Elective Care Programme is increasing scheduled elective care capacity. The separation of emergency and elective care can lead to fewer cancellations and fewer delays for elective care caused by seasonal surges, localised outbreaks, and surges in emergency attendances. Reduced waiting times for elective cases can lead to better health outcomes and improved quality of life for those individuals being treated and for their families. The greater elective care capacity created will also release capacity in existing hospitals for inpatient and emergency activity.
The first phase of this new elective care capacity is being delivered through a network of surgical hubs, followed in the longer term by national Elective Treatment Centres in Cork, Galway, and Dublin. Together these will form a national network of elective care facilities across the country.
The Surgical Hubs are based on the successful Reeves Day Surgery Unit which opened at Tallaght University Hospital in 2020. The Mount Carmel surgical hub opened in South Dublin in February 2025 and more than 3,000 procedures were delivered there last year. Five further hubs are due to open in 2026, in North Dublin (Swords), Galway, Cork, Waterford and Limerick. A Design Team will commence the design phase for two further hubs in Sligo and Letterkenny in 2026.