MRI scanner ‘improving patient care’ at Mullingar hospital

Improvements in MRI services at Regional Hospital Mullingar have seen the elimination of the need to transfer patients and reduction in delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Staffing issues in mid-2024 meant that the MRI service at Mullingar health care facility was only available to inpatients.

This week, the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar announced the improvements in MRI services following the phased opening of the new scanner since August 2024, funded by the Friends of Regional Hospital Mullingar.

The diagnostic tool has already provided imaging for some 4,700 patients, significantly improving access to care for the local community.

The scanner, funded through the generosity of the community and spearheaded by the Friends of the Hospital. Their fundraising campaign raised €1.2 million to make this project a reality.

Before installation, inpatients requiring MRI scans faced journeys to Tullamore or Dublin. Now, the majority of paediatric and adult inpatients can be accommodated locally, eliminating the need for transfers and reducing delays in diagnosis and treatment.

In January 2025, the service expanded to include outpatient consultant-requested MRI scans, and the waiting list previously managed by Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore was transferred back to Mullingar. Local patients undergoing treatment in specialist hospitals in Dublin are also facilitated for MRI scans at Mullingar, ensuring continuity of care close to home. It is planned to commence MRIs under general anaesthesia for very young patients or patients with additional needs in January 2026.

Margaret Kelleher, Hospital manager, stated: “The MRI has been a game changer for the patients of the hospital. We are seeing the impact every single day, from early diagnosis to faster treatment planning. The benefits to our inpatients are immediate and meaningful. Regional Hospital Mullingar would again like to take this opportunity to thank the Friends of the Hospital for all their support and fundraising for the MRI scanner.”

Joe Martin, chairman of Friends of the Hospital, added: “We are proud to see the community’s efforts making such a tangible difference. Every euro raised has gone toward improving patient care locally, and this MRI scanner is a testament to what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause.”

Joseph Campbell, IHA manager, concluded: “This achievement reflects the power of community collaboration and innovation in healthcare. By bringing advanced diagnostic capabilities to Mullingar, we are not only improving patient outcomes but also setting a benchmark for regional healthcare delivery.”