It could start as early as the end of next week.
The second phase of refurbishment works at Abbeyleix Hospital will secure the future and modernise the facility.
That's according to Sinn Féin's Brian Stanley, adding there's huge demand for nursing home beds in the area and a lack of step-down bed, putting pressure on acute hospitals.
The renovations on a unit with ten single ensuite rooms are due to begin in mid-November.
But Laois-Offaly deputy Stanley says the hospital still needs a large extension:
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