Longford senator raises funding allocated for St Joseph's X Ray machine replacement in Seanad

Funding has been allocated to replace the general X-ray machine located in the radiology department at St Joseph’s in Longford.
The money will be made available under the equipment replacement programme 2023.
Last May it was announced that the HSE were committed “to a full upgrade of all equipment at the radiology room over the next 18 months”.

Raising the matter in Seanad Eireann Senator Micheál Carrigy said the upgrade of the facilities at St. Joseph's campus is set to go ahead.
“We have a fantastic radiology facility that recently got some aesthetic works done but the X-ray machine is badly in need of an upgrade,” Senator Carrigy told the Leader.

Senator Carrigy said the service is vital: “A lot of services have been taken away from Longford and moved elsewhere, which means people living in my home county and my local area, in particular north Longford, have to travel upwards of an hour to access them.
“We want to maintain the services we have there on the campus.”
Confirmation of the inclusion of the replacement of the general X-ray machine by the HSE comes after prolonged campaigning by local elected representatives.

Fine Gael councillor Peggy Nolan had repeatedly raised the issue in the council chamber. Cllr Nolan even suggested a public campaign outside St Joseph's campus to expedite action from the HSE.
In a statement on the HSE proposal Cllr Carrigy said the project will include the replacement of the X-ray machine and associated required infrastructure works.

“The HSE has also confirmed the estimated timeline for completion is late quarter 4 of 2023.
“I have also received a statement from the HSE confirming the project to construct 43 replacement beds in a new-build facility at St Joseph's Care Centre, Longford under the HIQA compliance programme has gone out to tender,” the Fine Gael senator said.

Senator Carrigy said the exact time frame for completion is yet to be determined.