Construction work has begun on UHW Surgical Hub
University Hospital Waterford
Contractors began work at the site of the new Surgical Hub at University Hospital Waterford yesterday, the HSE said.
In response to a Parliamentary question asked by Independent TD Matt Shanahan, the HSE said, “The provision of the new Surgical Hub at University Hospital Water[ford] is well underway.”
“The contractor commenced construction site set up for the Surgical Hub at University Hospital Waterford today [16 September),” said Brian O’Connell, HSE Interim National Director for Capital & Estates in a letter seen by the Waterford News & Star.
The construction of the hub comes after a bid for planning permission was successful earlier in the year. A contract was then secured and construction efforts have now begun.
Planning permission for the construction of the new three-story surgical building was submitted at the end of 2023, as a subset of University Hospital Waterford but intended to serve as a regional hub for the South East.
The surgical hub will be located on the grounds of the old Glanbia site on Maypark Lane, with construction efforts set to last approximately 21 months, the Waterford News & Star revealed earlier this year.
Matt Shanahan, Independent TD for Waterford, reacted to the response from the HSE saying, “I welcome the announcement that the proposed new surgical hub build at University Hospital Waterford has been formally agreed [upon] and site construction has commenced.
“This facility when fully commissioned will allow elective scheduled day care surgeries to be completed without impact from the acute activity taking place in the general hospital.”
Deputy Shanahan welcomed the impact on the elective surgery waiting lists, describing them as “among the longest waiting lists in the country”.
“The delivery of this facility with appropriate staffing will significantly improve access to timely treatment and reduce waiting times.”
Deputy Shanahan thanked the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and the various stakeholders in the project “for their commitment to ensuring this project received the priority delivery pathway promised”.
