Surgical Institute Dublin to Open as Specialist Centre for Skin Cancer Care

A new purpose-built surgical centre dedicated to skin cancer treatment and advanced dermatologic surgery is set to open its doors in Dublin on July 13, 2026, marking the completion of more than 12 months of construction and the culmination of a project that has been six years in development.

The opening of Surgical Institute Dublin represents a significant milestone for Irish dermatology services, with its founders believing the specialist ambulatory surgical centre can help reduce pressure on some of the country’s longest hospital waiting lists while introducing a more streamlined approach to skin cancer care.

The state-of-the-art facility has been designed exclusively for day-case surgical procedures, with an initial focus on skin cancer treatment, reconstructive dermatologic surgery and Mohs micrographic surgery. Unlike general hospitals, where operating theatre access is shared across multiple specialties, the new centre will be dedicated entirely to skin cancer and complex dermatologic surgery.

Founded by Consultant dermatologists Prof Nicola Ralph and Prof Caitriona Ryan, Surgical Institute Dublin brings together consultant dermatologists, plastic surgeons, Mohs surgeons, oculoplastic specialists, oncologists and pathologists within a single purpose-built facility.

At the heart of the centre’s model is a “See and Treat” approach, allowing suitable patients to be assessed, diagnosed and, where clinically appropriate, treated on the same day. The aim is to reduce waiting times, minimise hospital visits and create a more seamless patient journey by delivering care within one integrated specialist setting.

“The primary motivation was the growing demand for timely, high-quality skin cancer care, coupled with increasing pressure on existing hospital services,” Prof Ralph said.

“Over recent years, it has become clear that traditional models are struggling to keep pace with demand, particularly in dermatology. This presented an opportunity to rethink how care is delivered, moving towards a more efficient, patient-centred model that prioritises speed, integration and quality.”

The concept for the centre was first explored in 2020 and has since progressed through several years of planning, design and development. In early 2024, healthcare entrepreneur and former investment banker Conor Murphy joined the project as chief executive, helping oversee its final development and launch.

The facility is expected to be supported by more than 20 consultant specialists across dermatology, plastic surgery, Mohs surgery, oncology, pathology and oculoplastic surgery, with plans for further expansion as demand grows.

Initially, the centre will concentrate on lower-risk, high-volume procedures that can be safely performed on a day-case basis. More complex surgical services may be introduced over time, subject to appropriate ambulatory care criteria.

Its opening comes at a time when dermatology remains one of the most pressurised specialties within the HSE, with long waiting lists continuing to affect patients across the country. While Surgical Institute Dublin will primarily care for privately insured and self-pay patients, its founders believe it also has the potential to increase capacity for the public health service.

“Surgical Institute Dublin will have the capacity to perform up to 12,000 minor surgical procedures per year for patients currently on the HSE dermatology waiting list,” Prof Ralph said.

“This additional capacity would complement the HSE’s surgical hub strategy in Dublin by enabling private practising consultants to undertake HSE waiting list work within a dedicated private facility, thereby expanding available surgical capacity.”

The founders stress that the centre is intended to complement—not replace—existing public services, describing it as “an important and scalable part of the overall response” to reducing waiting lists.

Workforce planning has also been a key consideration throughout the project. Many of the consultants working at the centre already practise across both public and private healthcare, while recruitment efforts have focused on expanding specialist expertise and creating opportunities for professional development within a dedicated surgical environment.

Although skin cancer surgery is already provided in hospitals and clinics throughout Ireland, the founders believe Surgical Institute Dublin offers a distinct model through its specialist focus and multidisciplinary design. By integrating assessment, diagnosis and treatment within one purpose-built centre, patients can benefit from a faster, more coordinated pathway to care.

For Prof Ralph and Prof Ryan, next week’s opening marks both the completion of a long-held vision and the beginning of an important new chapter for specialist surgical care in Ireland.

“The opening of the Surgical Institute Dublin is both a proud and significant milestone,” Prof Ralph said.

“What began as a concept many years ago has evolved through careful planning, collaboration, and a shared commitment to improving patient care.

“There is a strong sense of achievement in bringing the project to fruition, but equally a recognition of the responsibility that comes with delivering a new model of surgical care. The focus now is on ensuring that the centre operates safely, efficiently and to the highest clinical standards from day one.”

As the first patients prepare to attend the new centre following its official opening on 13 July, Surgical Institute Dublin will also serve as a test of whether highly specialised outpatient surgical facilities can play a meaningful role in improving access to care and easing pressure on one of the busiest areas of Ireland’s healthcare system.