10/03/2010

HSE To Resolve X-ray Delays

The Health Service Executive is to meet management at Tallaght Hospital in Dublin today to tackle the issue of major x-ray delays.

Minister for Health Mary Harney revealed this morning on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, that she first heard there were problems in December, but it was only yesterday when she first appreciated the scale of the problem.

In a statement early today, the HSE said its National Director of Quality and Clinical Care Dr Barry White, Consultant Radiologist at St Vincent's Hospital Dr Risteárd Ó Laoide, and other senior HSE personnel will attend the hospital to ensure processes were under way to review outstanding X-rays are operating to maximum capacity.

A spokesman for the HSE said to date the hospital has completed the reading of 34,752 x-rays. However, a balance of 23,169 x-rays relating to approximately 14,000 patients has yet to be read by a Consultant Radiologist.

Tallaght Hospital had a projected date of completion of this process of May 2010.

"The HSE will be meeting with Tallaght Hospital tomorrow to consider the options in relation to bringing this process to a conclusion as quickly as possible. The HSE, in conjunction with the hospital, will be making every possible effort to expedite this process to minimise any anxiety that this may cause to patients who were x-rayed at the hospital prior to September 2009," the spokesman said.

Tallaght Hospital has set up a freephone helpline for patients and their families who may be concerned, 1800 283 059, open from 9am to 5pm from tomorrow, Wednesday, March 10 2010.

(DW)


Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

13 June 2013
Protection Of Life During Pregnancy Bill Published
The Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill has been published by the government following approval by the Cabinet. Several significant changes have been made to the outline of the Bill, which was published in April. The Minister for Health will be given the power to stop suspended an institution if deemed to be operating the Act inappropriately.
05 July 2019
Treatment Of Young Doctors Raised With Govt
The crisis surrounding how young hospital doctors are trained, recruited and treated has prompted demands for government to act. The Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD raised the issue after the Medical Council's Your Training Survey uncovered problems regarding long working hours and bullying in the workplace.
16 March 2010
Tallaght Hospital Announces Reforms
A leading Dublin hospital has revealed a plans for major reforms over how it operates with immediate effect, after coming under intense criticism for failing to inspect thousands of x-rays. In a statement, Tallaght Hospital said its board had accepted proposals from Chairman Lyndon MacCann at a full board meeting last night.
29 January 2008
Monaghan Hospital Facing Cuts
Cost saving proposals will have a severe impact on services, including those in accident and emergency services at Monaghan Hospital. The move is a part of proposed cost savings in overall north eastern health services.
11 July 2016
Hospital Staff To Discuss Industrial Action Over HSE Failures
Staff at the University Maternity Hospital Limerick are to meet to discuss taking industrial action over failures by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) said midwives at the hospital are "deeply frustrated" by failures to address notified clinical governance concerns flagged in January 2015.