Mayo mobile X-ray service improves quality of care for older people

Over 640 patients in Mayo, Galway and Roscommon have availed of a community based mobile X-ray service since it was introduced last December with a hospital transfer avoided in 95 percent of cases.

Since December 2023, Mobile Medical Diagnostics, in partnership with the HSE, has completed the rollout of a national rapid response, community based mobile X-ray service for community hospitals, nursing homes, residential care facilities, hospices, and suitable patients in private homes. 

The service is now available in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon, with no charge to the residents or patients.

In total, from December 2023 to October 2024, over 39 residential care facilities have used the mobile X-ray service in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon and over 640 patients have been visited and a hospital transfer was avoided in 95 percent of these cases. This equates to 654 hospital avoidances and 1,308 ambulance trips avoided.

This mobile X-ray service provides all types of X-ray examinations including chest, hip/pelvis, knee, wrist and shoulder X-rays. If a doctor deems an eligible patient requires an X-ray, then the radiographer will arrive on-site, an X-ray examination will take place in their own room in the residential care facility or in the patient’s own home and a report is shared with the referring doctor within four hours.

Liz Lynott, Director of Nursing, Sacred Heart Hospital Roscommon stated: “The mobile X-ray service has been an absolute game changer for our service. The fact that there is no disruption not only to the service and our staffing levels, but it has eradicated unnecessary stress on our residents and our respite patients. In my opinion, this is an absolutely invaluable and well needed service especially for those with limited mobility and cognitive impairment.”

Des Mulligan, Head of Older Peoples Services, HSE Galway, Mayo and Roscommon added that a key aim of Sláintecare is to bring care closer to the patient and to shift services that were traditionally provided in the acute hospital into the community.

“The mobile x-ray service is doing just that and provides a rapid response to our older people without the need to travel to a busy hospital. As we head into a busy time for our health services where there is significant circulation of respiratory viruses such as Covid and Flu, we are encouraging our GP’s to avail of this service for our older population to help ease the demand on the acute hospitals,” he said.

Mobile x-ray referrals must be completed and signed by an Irish Medical Council registered medical practitioner.

Normal opening hours are 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and out of hours referrals are received and scheduled when the service resumes the next morning. Over the festive period, the service will be available as normal for over 65’s, except on Christmas Day, St Stephen's Day and New Year's Day.

For further enquiries regarding this service please contact: info@mobilemed.ie.