A major fundraising drive has been relaunched this morning to ensure the installation of a vital MRI scanner at a local hospital.
It's hoped the new diagnostic service at Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar will be operational for Christmas 2022, should further funds be raised.
Almost one million euro was donated locally across Longford and Westmeath during the last decade for the scanner, with a shortfall of €250,000 now required to be bridged before it can become fully operational next year.
The vital medical equipment will be located at the former ambulance base at the midland's hospital, which has been demolished to make way for the purpose-built structure.
Speaking at the launch today, Head of Paediatric Medicine at Mullingar Hospital, Professor Michael O'Grady says sick children will see a particular benefit from a locally based MRI scanner:
LISTEN: Our reporter Daniel Considine spoke to staff at the hospital this morning:
