HSE West rejects claims of neglect of Mayo rural health services
160 ambulance trips were avoided during last July alone due to expanded facilities
The HSE West has denied it is not doing enough to bring additional diagnostic facilities to primary case centres and district across Mayo.
The authority was challenged on the matter by Castlebar Independent Councillor Michael Kilcoyne.
He articulated the need to bring services 'closer to patients' and he asked what role is telehealth playing in reducing the need for patients in rural areas travelling long distances to appointments.
In response, John Fitzmaurice, Chief Officer, Community Healthcare, said, in respect of primary care, x-ray facilities are available at Castlebar Primary Care Centre, Ballina District Hospital and Belmullet District Hospital.
Ultrasound is also on site at Castlebar and Claremorris primary care centres.
He elaborated: "We continue to develop the Mayo services to meet the needs of our patients.
"Cardio stats monitoring devices, allowing abnormal heart rhythms to be detected, have recently been purchased.
"We also have access to echocardiograms and spirometry in Mayo University Hospital.
"However accessing diagnostics in Galway is not possible for chronic disease patients residing in Mayo."
In respect of telehealth, he said it was utilised extensively during the Covid pandemic.
"While patients are now primarily offered a face to face appointment, telehealth appointments remain available if the clinician identifies that this medium will meet the patients clinical needs," he explained.
On the issue of older people services, he stated that last December Community Healthcare West launched a mobile x-ray service for older people and people with disabilities in partnership with Mobile Medical Diagnostics.
"This free, community-based service, is available to older patients in nursing homes, community facilities and in their own homes.
"People referred by their GP have x-rays taken in their nursing home or facility where they reside instead of having to travel to a hospital.
"All types of x-rays are facilitated, including chest, hip/pelvis, knee, wrist and shoulder."
He said the service has steadily grown in capacity since the launch and he cited figures for July 2024.
Up to 81 patient visits were made in July 2024 and this 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.
This resulted in 160 ambulance trips that were avoided.