MRI scanner for St Luke’s Hospital will be confirmed this month: Minister Phelan

THE long-awaited MRI scanner for St Luke’s General Hospital will be included in the 2019 Health Service Executive (HSE) Capital Plan.

The Government came in for widespread criticism locally in recent months over its perceived failure to deliver on promises that the much-needed facility would be in place before the end of this year.

However, Minister Phelan today stressed the MRI scanner would be included in this year’s Capital Plan, which he said would be published within the next fortnight.

The Kilkenny TD told KCLR’s Eimear Ni Bhraonáin: “The finalised Capital Plan for 2019 hasn’t happened yet, and the reason there is a delay is that they’re trying to introduce, it’ll be a three year rolling one, in other words if you announce funding for this year that needs funding the following year it won’t just fall off a cliff and disappear. Most of these larger, health service developments do need funding over a number of years and that’s why things are a bit behind.”

Minister Phelan (pictured below) said he has received assurances that the Capital Plan will be finalised “before the end of this month”.

And he added: “That does include the funding for the development of the MRI scan at St Luke’s.”