Kelly welcomes UHL MRI scanner decision
Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has welcomed the HSE’s decision to purchase a second MRI scanner for University Hospital Limerick.
Deputy Kelly said:
“I have engaged in extensive lobbying and have shamed the HSE into putting a plan in place to secure a second MRI machine for University Hospital Limerick. I have been continuously challenging the Minister for Health and the Chief Executive of the HSE regarding the fact that so many patients are not being discharged or transferred to UHL because they only have one MRI scanner and that is 14 years old and keeps breaking down. Other comparable hospitals have two or in some cases three MRI scanners.
“I’ve raised this issue during the budget, in the health committee and through PQs. Today I finally received confirmation from the HSE that they have commissioned a second MRI machines for UHL and this will be in place by Mid December.
“The existing MRI scanner, donated by a philanthropist, is 14 years old and is continually breaking down. Anecdotally we know that the issues associated with the MRI scanner regularly contribute to the trolley numbers in University Hospital Limerick.
“The purchase of an additional scanner will help with the absolutely scandalous issues of overcrowding that the people of the Mid West have had to deal with in recent years.”