'Major push' to find last €60k for MRI scanner

A "major push" is under way to raise the final €60,000 of the €1,042,975 needed to fund the new MRI scanner for the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar, which will mean shorter stays in hospital, improved bed turnover and less pressure on staff and financial resources.

The scanner is to be installed in the coming weeks and commissioned a month later.

John McGrath, chairman of the Friends of Regional Hospital Mullingar committee, who spearheaded the intensive fundraising campaign, has appealed to local people and businesses to get behind the final drive – while acknowledging the huge level of support to date.

He said that the new building at the hospital is at an advanced stage and the committee have been advised by hospital management that the MRI machine is due to be delivered at the end of February or early March.

Once the machine is installed, it is expected to be commissioned a month later.

When they started their fundraising campaign, the cost of the scanner was €850,000 and they set a target of €950,000.

They reached that target, but in the meantime, the cost of the scanner has risen to €1,042,975 plus VAT. They can recoup the VAT from Revenue, which leaves the €60,000 shortfall.

John pointed out that the scanning machine will significantly reduce wait times for patients, increase bed turnover and also reduce the burden on the financial resources available to the hospital.

The hospital relies on public or private scanners in other hospitals and as it is often difficult to get a slot, patients have to remain in hospital until one is available, putting increased pressure on bed availability.

At present, the only MRI scanner publicly available to the Mullingar hospital is in Tullamore, but if a scan is needed quickly and a slot is not available in Tullamore, the hospital has to fund a private MRI, adding to the financial burden on the service.

In addition, there is the added cost of transporting patients to other hospitals for scans, as well as the need to provide ambulances and staff members to go with them, at a time when staff and ambulances are in short supply.

Having a scanner in Mullingar will result in patients getting the care they need quicker, improve bed turnover and free up staff and ambulances.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the scanner appeal can do so through the Friends of Regional Hospital Mullingar bank account: IBAN IE97 BOFI 90185345036699: BICBOFIIE2D.