A local TD is calling on the HSE to approve the staffing submission from Mullingar Hospital for its new MRI unit.
A commitment was given by the Health Service to the friends of the hospital that if they fundraised and provided for a machine the HSE would construct the building and staff the operation.
Robert Troy says while part of this agreement has been honoured, recruitment must begin without delay.
The machine is due to be fitted on June 21st and operational in July however just one post of a clinical specialist radiographer has been advertised.
Deputy Troy says the hospitals staffing plan must be approved to ensure the machine is operational, which in turn will be cost effective for the HSE.
''It's important the people who need it can get a local service, but it's value for money, we're spending over 500,000 euro a year on taxi and transport costs bringing patients to other hospitals that already are under pressure. The HSE knew this build would be completed in quarter 3 of this year, they sanctioned it last year, they should have pre-empted and realised that the positions and staffing submissions needed to be approved and that we can take full use of this much needed service.''
