The Health Service Executive has done a partial u-turn on its cost saving plans for Our Lady's Hospital in Navan.
Last month the HSE announced the closure of the hospital's orthopaedic ward for December.
At the time the HSE said only six patients would be affected by the closure, however, the HSE has now decided to keep the unit open for the first week in December.
According to a HSE spokesperson, 30 patients who would have had to wait until the New Year for their operations will now have them next week instead.
The change came after talks with the consultants in the hospital.
It was agreed that the day ward in the hospital will close for the entire month of December while the orthopaedic ward will now close for three weeks.
The HSE spokesperson said the closure of the day ward would have a 'minimal impact' on patients as there was a 'negligible' waiting list for day cases in the hospital.
