Mobile MRI scanner expected by end of the year
Health Minister Simon Harris hopes to secure a mobile MRI scanner for University Hospital Galway by the end of this year – and alleviate waiting times of up to two years for public patients.
Speaking in the Dáil last week, Minister Harris said the Saolta University Healthcare Group – which operates UHG, Merlin Park and Portiuncula – has tendered for the new scanner.
He was responded to a query from Galway West Fianna Fáil Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív on the timeline for the new scanner.
Minister Harris described the diagnostic waiting times at UHG as “unduly lengthy” – earlier this year, they stood at an average of two years.
“In order to address this deficit at UHG, the Saolta Group is currently undertaking a tender for a mobile MRI machine that will allow the Hospital to significantly increase its capacity to provide diagnostic scans. The Group is making every effort to progress this process and it is estimated that the process will be completed by the close of 2017.
“In addition, Saolta has implemented a number of local initiatives to reduce diagnostic waiting lists and ensure that the maximum number of patients receive their procedure.
“The Group has introduced a 7-day-a-week service and an extended working day. This has resulted in an additional 52 appointments per week, which are targeted at the longest waiters. The hospital is also outsourcing diagnostic scans to the Merlin Park Imaging Centre, where appropriate,” said Minister Harris.
Last year, 4,522 patients were referred to private facilities for scans at a cost of €938,500. In 2015, 4,234 scans were outsourced at a cost of €761,030.