MRI delays to end as community raises €800,000 for scanner

Public patients waiting for routine MRI scans at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Mullingar face a one-year delay, while children face a two-year waiting list for routine scans.

But it is hoped those lengthy delays will not continue for much longer.

In just 14 months, the people of Westmeath and Longford and surrounding areas banded together to raise more than €800,000 in their quest to buy an MRI scanner.

“People have been amazing. It’s incredible what they’ve achieved in such a short time,” said John McGrath (66), of the Friends of Regional Hospital Mullingar”