“The Waterford Surgical Hub will provide much needed capacity to the patients of Waterford and the South East,” according to Ben O’Sullivan, General Manager, University Hospital Waterford (UHW), speaking as Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill turned the sod on the new development in recent weeks.

Ben added that the hospital “continues to grow to meet the needs of the patients of the South East and the development of this Surgical Hub is another important addition to provide timely access to our patients. All the staff of University Hospital Waterford are excited about this development and look forward to treating our patients in what will be a state-of-the-art facility for the years to come.”

Speaking at the sod turning event,  Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, explained that “this new Surgical Hub in Waterford will cut waiting times and make a real difference to people needing treatment and care in the Southeast.

“When complete, the two new theatres will support urgent and more complex procedures at University Hospital Waterford by delivering additional capacity for day cases when up and running by the end of next year, ensuring that patients get the care they need, when they need it, closer to home.”

Martina Queally, REO, HSE Dublin and South East, outlined how “reducing waiting lists and times for patients is a key priority for the HSE Dublin and South East Region. By moving day case procedures to this Hub, University Hospital Waterford will have greater capacity for patients who need emergency and more complex care.

“HSE Dublin and South East is pleased to have this Surgical Hub under the governance of University Hospital Waterford and it will be an addition to the great work already being done by the hospital’s team in delivering regional healthcare.”

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 UHW.

Located at the former Glanbia Site, Maypark Lane, Waterford, the net construction cost of the facility is €66.2 million and it is anticipated the new Surgical Hub will be operational towards the end of 2026.

Local HSE IHA Manager, Dr Sinead Reynolds, concluded that “when opened fully, this Hub will be an integral part of the overall national programme to support access to elective and ambulatory care. It will help to reduce waiting lists and treatment times, and I am looking forward to this new Hub delivering positive outcomes for those needing our care in the region.”

The Hub is 1 of 6 Surgical Hubs being developed nationally. This reflects the commitment and priority given to such improvements contained within the HSE Corporate Plan. The HSE is setting out to deliver physical capacity to meet areas of greatest demand, develop a modern health infrastructure, implement priority actions to ensure a safe, high-quality and sustainable health system, and in this instance deliver and open 6 Surgical Hubs.