A long-awaited CT scanner has now arrived at Portiuncula hospital.
A temporary machine had been in place at the Ballinasloe facility over the last number of months due to the previous scanner regularly breaking down.
Local Councillor and GP, Evelyn Francis Parsons who raised the issue at the regional health forum says the scanner must now installed and calibrated.
She hopes it will become operational in October.
The Independent representative hopes a second scanner can be delivered for Portiucula within the next two years to deal with a growing population.
Dr. Parsons believes the new equipment will improve patient experience at the facility.
''It's a state of the art 128 slice Siemens CT scanner, which will help diagnose and clinically manage patients in our area. It's been long awaited but now it's here, it will take a little bit of time obviously to install and to commission. It's crucial at this point in time when we see a growth in population and through our Census and also we know that the waiting lists have expanded during Covid and there is a build up of patients who need to be diagnosed and managed. It's very timely that we have it now.''
You can listen to Dr. Parson's full interview on Let's Talk below.
