Cork Hospital Waiting Lists Reach Over 82,000, HSE Acknowledges “Too Long” Times
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has acknowledged that hospital waiting list figures in Cork are “too long,” with new data revealing almost 83,000 people are currently awaiting treatment. The figures, published by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) at the complete of February 2026, represent a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
Current Waiting List Statistics
As of the end of February 2026, a total of 82,937 people in Cork were on hospital waiting lists. This breaks down as follows:
- Outpatients: 73,173
- Inpatients: 9,764
- Children: 9,335 (representing 11.2% of all cases)
Hospital-Specific Waiting List Numbers
The waiting list burden varies across hospitals in Cork:
- South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital: 39,561
- Cork University Hospital (CUH): 27,450
- Mercy University Hospital: 7,060
- Mallow General Hospital: 4,415
- Cork University Maternity Hospital: 3,366
- Bantry General Hospital: 1,085
Outpatient Waiting Times
A significant proportion of outpatients face extended waits for treatment:
- Up to 6 months: 43,588 (almost 60%)
- 6-12 months: 16,964
- 12-18 months: 6,507
- Over 18 months: 6,113
HSE Response and Ongoing Challenges
A spokesperson for the HSE’s South West branch stated that the service “recognises that hospital waiting times in Cork remain too long and understands the impact on patients and families.” They added, “Working with all Cork hospitals, we are making steady progress despite higher demand.” The HSE commits to prioritizing the longest waiters and collaborating with Cork hospitals to improve access to care.
Impact of Norovirus Outbreak at CUH
Cork University Hospital is currently managing an outbreak of norovirus, contributing to bed capacity challenges. As of March 24, 2026, 164 patients were reportedly treated without a bed across Cork hospitals, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO). While the initial outbreak at CUH is expected to be declared closed shortly, new cases continue to emerge, prompting the continuation of full visitor restrictions to control the spread of infection. The HSE reports a significant reduction in staff infections since the implementation of visitor restrictions, indicating their effectiveness.
The NTPF plays a crucial role in improving access to healthcare services in Ireland, arranging treatments for patients and providing independently assured waiting list information. More information about the NTPF can be found on their website.