Community based mobile X-ray service now available in Laois

A new community based mobile X-ray service aimed at helping older patients avoid long wait times in the Emergency Department is now available across Laois. 

The service is being provided by Mobile Medical Diagnostics, in partnership with the HSE.

"This service is available throughout Laois – it is a mobile service, so the radiographer travels to the patient rather than bringing the patient to the ED for an x-ray. They attend nursing homes, community hospitals, hospices, intellectual disability & mental health services and in certain circumstances, they can attend private dwellings," explained a spokesperson. 

The service is now available in every county with no charge to the patient. All referrals come from a GP, patients cannot book it themselves.

What this mobile X-ray service provides:

• All types of X-ray examinations including chest, hip/pelvis, knee, wrist and
  shoulder X-rays are carried out as part of the service.
• The new service means that 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 nursing home or in the patient’s own home and a report is shared with the referring doctor within
  four hours. 
• Over 400 Nursing Homes and Community Nursing Units have used the service.
  Over 1000 GPs have referred to the service.

To date, they have visited over 10,500 patients; a hospital transfer was avoided in 94% of these cases. The Consultant Radiologist reports are back to the referrer within 4 hours which allows for timely treatment of the patient most often in the comfort of their own surroundings.

Anyone who would like more information should contact info@mobilemed.ie.