A new out-patient department will open at Portiuncula hospital on the 12th of March.
The news comes as TD Denis Naughten raised the reduced capacity at the hospital in the Dail this week.
He says it's unacceptable that the hospital has lost 10% of its beds due to covid reconfiguration, given that it's one of the biggest acute hospitals serving the midlands.
The Independent TD says that with only 13 single rooms available the hospital is left in an impossible position to manage the pandemic and all the challenges it brings.
Minister of State Frank Feighan told the Dail that a modular building is to be developed on the hospital site, and it will provide temporary accommodation for Emergency Department minor injuries treatment and assessment rooms.
He said the unit can also be used in the future for the displacement of out-patient accommodation after the Covid emergency.
