Cork Hospitals Face Operating Theater Shortages Amidst Growing waiting Lists
Two operating theatres in Cork are currently closed, with two others operating at only half capacity, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed. This situation exacerbates the already critical waiting lists for medical procedures across the region.
Cork University Hospital, which has 15 operating theatres, has one hybrid theatre undergoing refurbishment. This refurbishment is expected to last approximately three months, with the theatre scheduled to be operational again in September 2025.
At South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, 10 out of 11 operating theatres are operational. The HSE did not provide a reason for the closure of the eleventh theatre or a timeline for its return to service.
Cork University Maternity Hospital and Mercy University Hospital both have four operational operating theatres.
Mallow General Hospital has one operational operating theatre.Bantry General Hospital has two theatres, but they are only operational for an average of 2.5 days per week.
Last week, reported that at the end of June, 79,754 individuals, including 9,244 children, where awaiting treatment at one of the six hospitals.This figure represents an increase from the previous month.
breaking down the waiting times, 46,884 people are waiting between 0-6 months for treatment. Another 17,136 are waiting six to 12 months, 2,327 are waiting 12-18 months, and 7,507 have been waiting for more than 18 months.
Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central, Thomas Gould, who obtained the data regarding theatre closures from the HSE, expressed his dismay. “We have a situation now where almost 80,000 people are on hospital waiting lists in Cork, with many of them awaiting minor or elective surgeries,” Gould stated.
“For these people, the operations could be life-changing. They are living in pain for months and years on end,” he continued. “It is absolutely scandalous that we have operating theatres in hospitals sitting empty while hospital waiting lists are this long.”
Gould shared an anecdote about a family whose child with special needs required general anesthetic for dental treatment. “We were told it would be at least a two-year wait for this procedure because of restricted access to an operating theatre,” he said.”Now we know that there are operating theatres lying empty. How can anyone explain that to this family?”
He also highlighted the plight of elderly individuals forced to travel to other counties for hip and knee replacements. “They drive past empty operating theatres to do this. How can anyone explain this to them?” Gould questioned.
Gould concluded by emphasizing the need for action beyond mere discussion. “We hear a lot of talk about the need to expand our health service, and this is true, but failures in operational capacity and efficiency are leaving patients in prolonged suffering.”
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