A local TD has called for the Minister for Health to urgently provide clarity on when an MRI scanner will be delivered at Monaghan Hospital.
Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy warned that continued delays are leaving patients facing unacceptable waiting times and uncertainty.
Deputy Carthy said that while government and the HSE previously refused to acknowledge the need for an MRI scanner in Monaghan,
However, he said that sustained pressure from has forced movement on the issue.
In response to a parliamentary question last week, the Minister outlined that any MRI for Monaghan would require a Business Case a project scope and brief.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Deputy Carthy said that the news is “deeply disappointing”.
Deputy Carthy said: “For years, the Government and the HSE refused to recognise the clear and growing need for an MRI scanner at Monaghan Hospital. It was only through persistent campaigning and raising this issue time and again that Sinn Féin and others forced it onto the agenda.
“However, the latest response I have received from the HSE is deeply disappointing. It confirms that there is still no definitive timeline for delivering an MRI scanner at Monaghan, with officials stating that the project remains at an early business case stage and that it is ‘premature’ to establish when it will be delivered.
“This lack of urgency stands in stark contrast to the reality facing patients across Monaghan and Cavan. People are already experiencing significant delays in accessing MRI appointments in Cavan, where there is just one MRI scanner serving a wide catchment area. These delays underline the absolute necessity of having an MRI scanner located in Monaghan.
“It is simply not good enough that patients must travel, wait longer, and endure additional stress because of a failure to invest in essential diagnostic services locally," Deputy Carthy added.
