Major funding for a life saving device at a local hospital has been approved.
The new allocation for the MRI scanner at Mullingar Regional Hospital will allow the unit to begin operation.
The Ireland East Hospital Group have confirmed that funding for the staffing of the new MRI unit at Mullingar Hospital has been approved.
The scanner was installed at the hospital in July of this year but has not been operational due to a lack of staff, with patients being referred to Hospitals such as Ballinderry for scans.
With the staffing fund now approved, the MRI building is due to be handed over to the hospital by the middle of next month, after which the "Start up and Commissioning Training" will commence.
Longford Westmeath TD Peter Burke also welcomed the news and says it will provide a vital service for the region.
In a post to social media last night, the Friends of the Regional Hospital Mullingar thanked all of those who supported the fundraising efforts.