Mobile X-ray service improves older person care at home and in community in Mayo
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 Mayo, Galway and Roscommon, with no charge to the residents or patients.
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 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.
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.
Consultant radiologist reports are sent back to the referrer within four hours allowing for timely treatment of the resident/patient, most often in the comfort of their own surroundings. 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 the Sacred Heart Hospital in 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 this 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: “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.
Normal opening hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. Out of hours referrals are received and scheduled when the service resumes the next morning.
For further enquiries regarding the service, contact: info@mobilemed.ie.