Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, Ireland, is set to launch its outpatient and ambulatory services at the Earl Building, located in the refurbished Clery’s Quarter.

The site will serve more than 100,000 patients, offering services such as maternity outpatients, paediatric outpatients, colposcopy procedures, perinatal mental health, social work, and dietetics.

This move, which follows the sale of the Earl Building to the Health Service Executive (HSE), aims to provide spacious and modern outpatient services.

Besides, it will free up space at Rotunda's Parnell Square campus for the construction of a new critical care wing.

The proposed wing includes plans for a neonatal intensive care unit, a special baby care unit, an expanded delivery suite, and additional clinical support.

The Earl Building site is expected to be handed over and commissioned by the end of 2024. Total investment is expected to be in the range of €40m-€45m ($43.67m-$49.13m).

Rotunda has been looking to relocate some services away from the main campus due to rising pressures and the age of its current facilities.

Founded in 1745, the hospital is claimed to be the world's oldest continuously operating maternity hospital, and approximately one in six babies born in Ireland is delivered there.

The new site at Clery’s Quarter will house various outpatient and day-case services, contributing to ongoing developments in maternity and gynaecology services at Rotunda.

These developments include increased staffing, the establishment of a perinatal genomic service, ambulatory gynaecology clinics, a Specialist Menopause clinic, an endometriosis hub service, and a Regional Fertility Hub.

Ireland Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said: “I welcome the HSE’s purchase of the new Earl Building to support the delivery of outpatient services for the Rotunda.

“Promoting Women’s Health is a priority within the Programme for Government and a top priority for me as Minister.

“The quality of care delivered at the Rotunda is of the highest standard and this new building, once commissioned in 2024, will enable that care to continue to be delivered in facilities more befitting of a 21st-century health system.”