Funding Approved To Staff Midlands MRI Scanner

The machine is expected to be a "huge asset" to the community.

Funding to staff a vital MRI Scanner in the midlands has been approved.

Just one of the 12 members of staff needed to operate the machine have been appointed at Regional Hospital Mullingar, with more money needed to fill the remaining vacancies.

The equipment was the result of long-standing fundraising efforts from the Friends of Mullingar Hospital, who have been lobbying for the required personnel to be hired.

Longford Westmeath Fine Gael TD and Junior European Minister Peter Burke confirmed the funding to staff the Scanner has now been put in place, and says it will be a "huge asset" to the community's healthcare.

Longford Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy says it'll be of major benefit:

A new MRI Scanner in the midlands will be a reality "very shortly."

That's according to Regional Hospital Mullingar, after securing funding to staff the vital machine, which was installed earlier this year.

The building which houses the equipment is due to be handed over in the middle of next month, with the "Start Up and Commissioning" process starting afterwards.

Hospital Manager Kay Slevin says the development of the service is exciting, and they're looking forward to having it on site.

In a statement to Midlands 103, Regional Hospital Mullingar says:

"The news that funding has been confirmed for staffing the new MRI is fantastic for the hospital and our patients. 

It has taken a lot of work to get us to this point, the MRI will be a reality very shortly for the people of Westmeath and Longford and we will be commencing recruitment within the next couple of weeks.

I would like to again thank the Friends of Mullingar Hospital for their continued support, the staff in RHM, local politicians who have been advocating on our behalf, the HSE and IEHG.

The development of the MRI Service is an exciting and strategic development for the hospital, and we are looking forward to having this service on site for our patients and staff."