Mobile x-ray service to be rolled out in 'coming weeks and months'

A MOBILE x-ray service will be rolled out in the west of Ireland in the 'coming weeks and months' and will be prioritised for people with transport and mobility issues.

The mobile x-ray service has been rolled out to other parts of the country since the programme commenced with a pilot programme in Dublin in 2021 and plans are in place to introduce it to the west of Ireland.

John Fitzmaurice, Chief Officer with Community Healthcare West told a meeting of the HSE Regional Health Forum West that meetings have been held with HSE colleagues with the view of rolling out the service over the 'coming weeks and months' once clinical questions have been addressed with the clinical team in Mobile Medical Diagnostics (MMD) which operate the programme.

“The HSE can then start the process of rolling out the service in the West. We have already covered the acquisition of the necessary equipment and vehicle and MMD are starting the process of recruitment. Normally this whole process takes 12 weeks. We are endeavouring to expedite this,” he stated in a response to a question on the matter tabled by Castlebar-based councillor Michael Kilcoyne.

Cllr Kilcoyne questioned the delay in rolling the service out in the west given that it was expanded to Cork in the spring of 2022 and established in the mid-west in the summer of 2022 and in the south-east in spring 2023.

“The west is always the poor relation. Dublin got it first where the Taoiseach is and Cork gets it next where the Tanaiste is and there we are at the bottom. I welcome it but I am disappointed it has taken so long,” he said.

Mr Fitzmaurice confirmed that when it is rolled out in the west, it will operate five days a week from 9am to 5pm. The HSE stated that the free community-based service is primarily for older patients in nursing homes and community facilities and will 'prioritise people most at need' and those with mobility issues or challenges accessing hospital.

He added that it will be rolled out on a phased basis and patients availing of the service will have to be referred by their GP.

According to the HSE, over 600 GPs nationally have referred to the service across more than 245 nursing homes, with over 4,400 hospital transfers avoided for patients up to the end of July.

The health service said all types of x-rays will be facilitated, including chest, hip/pelvis, knee, wrist and shoulder.