MRI is very much part of routine everyday imagining. It is no longer a specialised investigation and should be available in every hospital. An onsite MRI service is an essential diagnostic test required for patients attending various services especially stroke, general surgery, gastroenterology, emergency department, endocrinology, cardiology, general and elderly medical patients, young adults and children.

Almost 1,200 public patients are referred for an MRI from Mullingar hospital each year.

The current access to an MRI for patients from Mullingar is via MRH Tullamore, which is the only publicly accessible MRI in the Midlands Region.

The current waiting list for a routine MRI from Mullingar Regional Hospital is 12 months.

In addition, paediatric MRI scans for which anaesthesia support is required comes with a 2 year waiting list for routine access. This is a service that can readily be developed at Mullingar as the hospital has a paediatrics department on-site.

A MRI Scanner uses Magnetism rather than X-rays to producing a scan this means that it can be used in a lot of situations in which the use of X-Ray Radiation cannot. For example;

• Scans of Children and Young Adults

• Scans of Pregnant Women

• Chronic Illness requiring Repeated Scanning

There are many conditions where M.R.I. is absolutely vital and can’t be managed effectively without access to an M.R.I Scanner…

Neurology

Neurology includes Strokes, Multiple Scleroses, numerous Brain Diseases (and most diseases of the brain). In Neurology, frequently repeated M.R.I.s for monitoring strokes is probably one of the biggest areas of use. Chances of survival from a severe stroke are greatly improved by fast access to M.R.I. In many situations it needs to be done within 12-24 Hours, highlighting the benefit of M.R.I. on site at Mullingar Regional Hospital for people living in the region.

Gall Bladder

Currently patients having Gall Bladder surgery are waiting up to seven days for an M.R.I scan, sitting in hospital wasting time, holding up beds and hospital resources.

Scanning of Children.

Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar has a paediatrics department, and there are untold benefits in having paediatrics co-located with M.R.I. scanning facilities. All children that are born prematurely should have a M.R.I. scan to access signs of brain injury due to prematurity. A lot of small children need M.R.I. (where C.T. Scanners cannot be used due to the radiation). Also, most younger children having M.R.I scan require General Anaesthetic or Sedation (as they have to be still for a long period time) and the availability of paeriatric services at the same site are potentially lifesaving in the event of complications. (In Ireland hospitals either tend to have a M.R.I. Service or an Anaesthetic Service that can deal with children and a relatively small number have both)

A key consideration for an on site MRI scanner is the access for critically ill patients who may be too ill to travel for an MRI scan.

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