Conor Sheehan
Ceist:955. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Health if there will be additional endoscopy capacity provided for in the new elective hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17127/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 3 March 2026
Ceisteanna (955)
Freagraí scríofa
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 then a national network of Elective Treatment Centres, 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. They will provide routine treatments, procedures and consultations which have been scheduled in advance for non-emergency issues and which do not need an overnight stay.
In line with the Preliminary Business Cases approved by Government in 2022, the Elective Treatment Centres will provide significant additional service delivery capacity and facilities. This includes endoscopy suites, operating theatres and minor operation rooms.
The design phase for the Elective Treatment Centres is underway. The HSE and its appointed design team are finalising these plans in relation to Cork and Galway with applications for planning permission to be submitted in the middle of this year. Demand modelling is also underway for Dublin.