On Thursday last, 14 July, the Friends of the Regional Hospital, Mullingar embarked on their most ambitious fundraiser to date, as they announced the launch of a project to gather the funds to supply an MRI scanner for Mullingar Hospital. A total of €900,000 is needed for the new MRI scanner and ancillary equipment.
An MRI scanner is now regarded as an essential piece of equipment for any general hospital, but at present, the only such MRI machine publicly accessible in the area is at the Regional Hospital, Tullamore. Mullingar is sharing that service with Tullamore and Portlaoise Hospitals, which means a single scanner is at present supplying MRI services for four counties, as well as the population from surrounding counties.
The Friends of Mullingar Hospital group has been doing excellent work for over a quarter of a century, and they are now intent on seeing an MRI scanner operational in Mullingar Hospital as soon as possible. A registered charity, founded in 1990, the group first came into existence with the objective of purchasing a CT scanner for Mullingar Hospital. This was done and the scanner was installed and has been fully operational since then. Thousands of patients in Longford/Westmeath have benefited from having their CT scans performed in Mullingar, so avoiding waiting and travelling elsewhere.
The total target to be raised is €900,000 which includes the cost of the ancillary equipment for anaesthetic, paediatric and monitoring equipment.
“We have an excellent head-start this time, due to the generosity of some of the local companies in pledging significant support, and we anticipate reaching our target much more quickly than was possible in the past,” Michael Donnellan, a founder member of the charity and present Chair of the Friends of Mullingar General Hospital, explained.
“In 2010, following another successful fundraising appeal, the CT scanner was upgraded with the addition of a cardioscope which provides detailed heart imaging technology. This has greatly improved coronary disease detection, is non-invasive and again, cuts down on waiting and travelling to other hospitals for the service,” he said.
SAVINGS MADE
The provision of up-to-date, modern on-site diagnostics in Mullingar Regional Hospital has already greatly improved the efficient operation of the hospital. By eliminating travel costs, savings have been made in this area. However, the main advantages are the availability of essential diagnostic services to enable quicker reaction times and shorter recovery times. At present, up to 1,200 public patients are referred for an MRI scan from Mullingar General Hospital annually.
The provision of an MRI scanner is the next logical step in the upgrading of the Hospital.
This will further enhance diagnostics with all the benefits that will follow for the present and future patients of the hospital.
GOLF CLASSIC FUNDRAISER & RAFFLE
To kick off the fundraising activity, the Friends of Mullingar General Hospital will be hosting a major Golf Classic and raffle on Friday week, 29 July at Mullingar Golf Club.
An excellent social evening of entertainment, with some surprises, will follow the golf. The raffle with many excellent prizes will also be held that evening with a top prize of a week’s holiday for two in Spain next May and many other worthwhile prizes.
Individuals or groups wishing to participate in this event or organise fundraising events of their own, can contact any member of the Friends of the Hospital group.
Cash or other donations are gratefully accepted and can be forwarded to any member of the Friends.
ONE OF THE BEST
In the past decade, the Friends of Mullingar General Hospital have raised substantial funds for the diabetic services in Mullingar Hospital and the services in Mullingar are now recognised as being one of the best diabetes support centres in the country.
