The first beds at the modular unit at South Tipperary General Hospital will be open to the public within the next four to six weeks, with the remaining 20 due to open in the months to come.
That was according to the Manager of South Tipp General, Maria Barry this week.
Giving members of the media a tour of the new facility, Ms Barry said that the final touches are being put to the first floor of the two-floor state-of-the-art unit.
Each bed is in its own fully monitored room, which can provide for isolation care when needed and for end-of-life purposes as well, given that the rooms are large enough to care for family members.
It is also expected that staff will be able to go about their business in a more work-friendly way thanks to larger and more spacious work stations.
The modular unit will be handed over from the contractor to the HSE this week. The formality of handing it over to hospital management is then expected on Monday next.
After that it will be equipped and stocked, and staff induction will take place, before the first 20 beds are made available to the public within four to six weeks.
Staff recruitment is at an advanced stage, with 109 nurses, health care assistants and related staff being taken on. That process is now nearing an end.
