Mobile x-ray service for elderly saves 160 ambulance trips in July

A NEW mobile x-ray service for older people and people with disabilities in the west has saved 160 ambulance trips in the month of July alone.

The mobile x-ray service was launched in December 2023 by HSE Community Healthcare West in partnership with Mobile Medical Diagnostics and offers a free community-based service to older patients in nursing homes, community facilities and in their own homes.

The HSE Regional Health Forum West meeting heard that in July alone, 81 patient visits were made which included referrals from 33 nursing homes both public and private. In total 105 x-rays were performed, and 80 of the 81 older people referred avoided a transfer to the acute hospital which the meeting heard resulted in 160 ambulance trips being avoided.

John Fitzmaurice, Chief Officer with Community Healthcare West explained that this x-ray service is open to the population across Mayo, Roscommon and Galway and has become a big asset to the region.

Mr Fitzmaurice was responding to Regional Health Forum member, Cllr Michael Kilcoyne who had submitted a question asking what additional diagnostic facilities have been established in Primary Care Centres and District Hospitals in Mayo to bring services closer to patients.

The Independent councillor was informed that x-ray facilities are available in the Castlebar Primary Care Centre along with the Ballina and Belmullet District Hospitals while an ultrasound was located in the Castlebar and Claremorris Primary Care Centres.

Mr Fitzmaurice explained that they were continually looking to increase their diagnostic capacity in the region but there were no plans for an x-ray service in Claremorris as there was already one located close by in Tuam Primary Care Centre.