Longford patients forced to wait for MRI scanner
Longford patients will have to wait an indefinite period of time longer before being able to undergo MRI scanning services at Mullingar's Midland Regional Hospital.
It comes after health bosses told a recent Dublin Mid Leinster Regional Health Forum meeting of how the commencement of the new service had been held up due to staffing constraints.
“It is not possible to give a timeline for the commencement of the MRI service until we have approval for a fully funded service,” said chief executive of Ireland East Hospital Group Declan Lyons.
In response, Cllr PJ Reilly who sits as one of three Longford representatives on the Health Forum, said the announcement was disappointing in light of a recent fundraising effort which had seen over €1m being generated towards the project.
“It's (MRI scanner) up and ready to go but they just haven't got the staff,” he said.
“It is frustrating that the people of Longford Westmeath have to wait until this is complete especially as €1.2m was raised voluntarily.
“To have the brakes put on it at this stage is unfortunate but the reality is they (HSE) just don't have the staff to open it.”