Operations And Transformation Lead, Surgical University Hospital

The Surgical Hub at Cork University Hospital (CUH) will be a dedicated facility designed to enhance day-case surgery and ambulatory capacity, addressing public waiting lists in advance of the development of regional elective hospitals. It will be located on the CUH campus, a Model 4 hospital, and will operate under the governance of CUH’s Peri Operative Directorate.

The construction of the Surgical Hub is progressing at pace and is on target to have construction completed by Q1 2026, and will be operational by Q3 2026. Initially two theatres will be operational, with an additional two shell and core theatres expected to become operational at a later date. The Surgical Hub also includes Pre Admission Assessment Clinic rooms, and minor procedure rooms.

As a regional resource, the Surgical Hub will provide access to patients across Cork and Kerry requiring day case procedures. The facility aims to reduce elective surgery waiting times to less than twelve weeks, aligning with the Sláintecare targets. It will operate from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., six days per week, 50 weeks a year.

The Surgical Hub will be a standalone day surgery unit accessible to surgeons from across the region. It will cater for patients who have been pre-selected and pre-assessed for planned elective procedures who can be discharged on the same day. The Surgical Hub will manage relatively low acuity cases and high volume in nature, aiming to address waiting lists. It will provide services for patients with an ASA score of 1 (fit and healthy) or ASA 2 (mild systemic disease).