Mobile X-ray service available for older Roscommon patients
A Mobile Medical Diagnostics service in partnership with the HSE is allowing older Roscommon-based patients to access x-rays from their own room.
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 the patient’s own room in the Residential Care Facility or in their own home, and a report is shared with the referring doctor within four hours.
The HSE engaged Mobile Medical Diagnostics in May 2023 to roll out this national service, which had been operating on a pilot basis since 2022.
The rollout of the national rapid response, community-based mobile X-ray service for community hospitals, nursing homes, residential care facilities, hospices, and suitable patients in private homes, was completed in December 2023.
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. Over 640 patients have been visited and a hospital transfer was avoided in 95% of these cases. This equates to 654 hospital avoidances and 1,308 ambulance trips avoided.
Residents/patients do not need a medical card to avail of the service, which is funded by the HSE.
Liz Lynott, Director of Nursing at Sacred Heart Hospital Roscommon, has praised the mobile service.
“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.”
According to Des Mulligan, Head of Older Peoples Services, HSE Galway, Mayo and Roscommon: “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 GPs to avail of this service for our older population to help ease the demand on the acute hospitals.”
Mobile x-ray referrals must be completed and signed by an Irish Medical Council registered medical practitioner.
For further enquiries regarding this service please contact: info@mobilemed.ie