Hospital wait decision on new MRI scanner

Management at Cavan General are expected to learn this month if an application made to the HSE National Equipment Replacement Programme to replace an existing MRI Scanner at the local hospital site has been successful.

The current MRI Scanner is located in the Radiology Department at Cavan General Hospital, and the application for a replacement and upgrade was made to HSE bosses last year. A total of €1 million was allocated to carry out a complete a full refurbishment of the scanner in 2024.

Cavan and Monaghan Hospitals currently have two CT scanners and one MRI scanner, located in Cavan General, however with regards to the latter, concerns have been raised regarding breakdowns in the past.

Access to the both the CT scanners and MRI are prioritised on clinical need.

Despite pressure, neither the Clinical Director nor the Senior Management Team have submitted a business case for additional CT and MRI modality to be added at Monaghan Hospital where a Minor Injuries Unit opened in 2023.

The HSE state that Cavan General and Monaghan Hospital operate as a single hospital, with an integrated managerial and clinical governance system, care pathways and support functions.