Weekend X-ray expansion planned for Louth Hospital Minor Injury Unit
The Minister described Dundalk's Minor Injury Unit as "one of the busiest units in the country"
Plans are in place to extend weekend X-ray services at the Minor Injury Unit in Louth County Hospital, Dundalk, with the Minister for Health confirming that additional radiography resources are expected to be in place during the third quarter of this year.
The announcement came during a Dáil exchange initiated by Louth TD Erin McGreehan, who highlighted the success of the Dundalk unit while calling for improved weekend radiology coverage to reduce waiting times for patients.
Deputy McGreehan described the Minor Injury Unit as "one of the best services in the country", praising the dedication of its doctors, nurses, radiographers, administrative and support staff.
"I have spent many a Saturday there when my sons have been injured," she told the Dáil. "We are very grateful that we do not have to go to Drogheda."
She said the unit's reputation has grown to the point where patients regularly travel from outside County Louth, including north Dublin, to access its services.
Operating seven days a week from 9am to 8pm, the Minor Injury Unit treats fractures, sprains, burns, wounds and other minor injuries, providing an alternative to busy emergency departments.
However, Deputy McGreehan said while radiology services are available throughout the day during weekdays, weekend X-ray services currently operate only from 12 noon until 8pm.
She argued that this creates unnecessary delays for patients attending in the morning, increases waiting times and places additional pressure on staff.
"We all know that weekends are a really busy time for injuries units as a result of sporting events and family activities," she said.
"Every patient who can successfully be treated in Dundalk is one less patient for another hospital to treat."
Calling for the recruitment of an additional radiographer, she said extending X-ray availability across the unit's full opening hours would improve patient flow, enhance the patient experience and further reduce pressure on Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
Responding, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said injury units play a key role in the Government's Sláintecare strategy by treating non-life-threatening injuries closer to home and helping to avoid unnecessary hospital attendances.
She noted that attendances at injury units nationally have continued to rise, reaching 222,000 last year, an increase of 5%.
The Minister described Dundalk's Minor Injury Unit as "one of the busiest units in the country", ranking fifth among the State's 14 injury units.
Confirming that the issue raised by Deputy McGreehan had already been discussed with the HSE, the Minister said a plan is already in place to extend weekend radiology services.
I expect that the resources to extend the radiology services to a fully operational model will be put in place during quarter 3 of this year, which is not that far away," she said.
Welcoming the announcement, Deputy McGreehan said the investment was recognition of the success of the service provided by staff at Louth County Hospital.
"This is really positive news for everyone in the entire north east," she said. "The HSE and the Minister are going to invest in that success in order to make sure that the clinic can maintain and expand its excellent services at weekends."
The Minister also praised the wider performance of healthcare services in County Louth, claiming there were significant improvements at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
She said the hospital had recorded no patients waiting on trolleys on the day of the debate and had remained within safe capacity levels for more than a week. She also pointed to the introduction of a 12-bed virtual ward, describing it as an example of resources being used effectively to improve patient care.