An X-ray machine bought for €500,000 six years ago has never been used but the HSE said the cost of moving it would be “prohibitive”.
Fianna Fáil health spokesman Billy Kelleher said the machine could either be sold or moved from its location at the Ballymun civic offices in north Dublin. “What is certain, however, is that it should not be left to lie idle and depreciate in value in the years ahead.”
Mr Kelleher, who raised the issue in the Dáil, said the HSE’s position on the relocation of such an expensive scanner must be reviewed, with consideration given to selling it.
Minister of State for Health Róisín Shortall said she was “loath to lose an important item of medical equipment from the primary care service or the public health system” and had asked the special delivery unit to establish whether it could be used as part of the unit’s work in taking pressure off local hospitals and she was awaiting a response. The cost of moving it would be €85,000. The health service had not considered selling it.
