80 x-ray patients per week treated in Carndonagh

Local GPs are being encouraged to use the x-ray services in Carndonagh.

At the recent meeting of the Regional Health Forum, members were told that approximately 80 patients per week are availing of the x-ray services in Carndonagh Community Hospital.

The issue was raised by Cllr Albert Doherty who asked questions regarding the availability and enhancement of the service.

In response Dermot Monaghan, Chief Officer, Community Healthcare Organisation, said the Carndonagh x-ray service is currently operating two days per week. The service is managing longer lists of clients in order to meet demand.

He said: “While the service hadn’t been utilised to its full capacity in previous years, during the Covid pandemic, all plain film GP referrals were redirected from the Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) radiology department and GP practices in the area who had never used the service previously.

“The installation of state-of-the-art equipment and quicker reporting times have also been factors in the huge increase in the number of GP referrals to the service in Carndonagh.

“At present, most referrals are reported on and the results are with the GP within a week.

“Should the GP need a speedier report, the service makes every effort to contact the radiologists directly in LUH to facilitate this.”

Mr Monaghan confirmed that recruitment is also currently underway to employ a new Senior Radiographer.

“The community radiology diagnostic service previously opened three days per week, but with this new recruitment the service will be open five days per week with cover for annual and sick leave being provided by other community radiographers.

“Discussions are ongoing regarding a report turnaround time of four hours and this should encourage GPs to use the local facility as opposed to referring to ED in LUH for an urgent x-ray."