Capital Health is setting up a tent outside the University of Alberta Hospital this week to treat patients with minor illnesses, many of them children suffering from the flu and other viruses.

The tent, similar to those used as a mobile army field hospitals, was purchased in 2007 to prepare for a potential flu pandemic, Capital Health spokesman Steve Buick told CBC News.

The Edmonton region's health organization wanted to use the tent a few times before it is needed for a real emergency, he said.

"This is a just a place to send kids who have minor illnesses so that we can practice having our physicians and staff do exactly what the tent is intended to help us do in the event of a flu pandemic," Buick said.

All incoming patients to the hospital will still be assessed by the emergency department and only those with minor ailments will be sent to the tent for treatment, he said.

The tent was used once before at the city's Royal Alexandra Hospital.