Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed significant progress on the development of the new Surgical Hub and Elective Hospital at Merlin Park, describing it as an important step towards improving access to planned care for patients across Galway and the wider west.
An update provided to the Cabinet Committee on Health and the Department of Health Annual Report 2025 outlines continued progress under the National Elective Care Programme, with the Galway Surgical Hub on track to become operational in the fourth quarter of 2026, while detailed design work is now underway for the larger Elective Hospital that will be developed as an extension of the Merlin Park campus.
Welcoming the update, Minister Canney said: “This is a very positive milestone for Galway. The development of both the Surgical Hub and the future Elective Hospital at Merlin Park represents one of the most significant investments in planned healthcare services for our region in many years.
“These facilities will help reduce waiting times, increase the number of procedures that can be carried out locally and ensure more people can access treatment sooner. It is an investment that will directly benefit patients and families right across Galway and the west.”
Under the plans, the new Galway Surgical Hub will include four day-case theatres, two minor procedure rooms and, once fully operational, will have the capacity to deliver:
- up to 8,160 day-case procedures annually when all four theatres are operational;
- 5,760 minor procedures each year; and
- additional elective capacity dedicated to reducing waiting lists.
The Galway hub is one of four new Surgical Hubs due to become operational during 2026, alongside Cork, Limerick and Waterford, forming part of a national network designed to separate planned care from emergency care and improve access to treatment.
The Cabinet Committee also received an update on the next phase of the programme, confirming that detailed design work is progressing for the Galway Elective Hospital at Merlin Park.
Rather than being developed as a completely standalone facility, the Elective Hospital will expand on the existing Surgical Hub, creating a significantly larger centre dedicated to elective care.
Current plans include:
- eight day-case theatres (including four additional theatres);
- 10 minor procedure rooms;
- seven endoscopy suites.
The HSE expects to lodge a planning application for the Galway development in October 2026.
Minister Canney said the development would transform the delivery of scheduled healthcare in the region.
“This is about building long-term capacity for Galway. By creating dedicated facilities for planned procedures, we can reduce cancellations caused by pressures on emergency departments and allow more patients to receive treatment when they need it.
“The progress being made at Merlin Park demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure in the west and ensuring Galway has the facilities needed for a growing population.”
