Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 November 2023
68. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health for an update on the three new elective hospitals in Cork, Galway and Dublin, as promised under the National Development Plan; when he expects work to begin on the development of these hospitals; when he expects them to be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48986/23]
View answerThe Government is committed to establishing new standalone national Elective Hospitals in Cork, Dublin and Galway. This will enable the delivery of high-quality and timely elective care services to address the known demographic changes to 2035 (up to a 40% increase in day-case surgeries) with significant additional service delivery capacity.In December 2022 and following Public Spending Code Gate 1 approval, the Government approved the next stage of the Enhanced Provision of Elective Care Programme and progression of the development of new Elective Hospitals in Cork and Galway. The preferred sites recommended to be brought forward are St Stephen’s Hospital in Cork and Merlin Park, University Hospital in Galway. The planning phase requires the HSE to develop detailed project briefs, a procurement strategy and pre-tender business cases for the hospitals that will then be submitted for Government approval to proceed to tender. The appointment of the Design team is currently underway and will be in place in early 2024.In relation to Dublin, a site identification and assessment process for the delivery of additional elective capacity, including engagement with necessary stakeholders, has been completed. A Memorandum on preferred site options will soon be brought to Government for consideration.Whilst it is difficult to be definitive about timelines due to the many complexities to delivery – both in terms of infrastructure and resourcing of the new facilities – the Department of Health and HSE will work to ensure the expedient development and delivery of the new Elective Hospitals. We expect the new Elective Hospitals to see their first patients in 2027 and be fully operational from 2028.
