No plan for x-ray service in major Mayo town

The HSE has no plans to roll out x-ray services in Claremorris.

At the HSE West Forum held in Galway last week, Cllr Michael Kilcoyne posed a question as to what additional diagnostic facilities have been established in Primary Care Centres and District Hospitals in Mayo to bring services closer to patients. He also wished to know what role telemedicine plays in reducing the need for travel for patients in rural areas.

John Fitzmaurice, Chief Officer, Community Healthcare West, said various initiatives are being undertaken.

“Telehealth was utilised extensively during the Covid pandemic. Whilst patients are now primarily offered a face-to-face appointment, telehealth appointments remain available if the clinician identifies that this medium will meet the patient’s clinical needs.” 

Noting the availability of x-ray services in Castlebar, Ballina and Belmullet, Cllr Kilcoyne asked was there any proposal to introduce x-ray services in Claremorris.

Mr Fitmaurice replied that there are no such plans in Claremorris, adding: “We are continuing to increase community diagnostic capacity and from Tuam to Ballina we have done that. We don’t see Claremorris coming to fruition for some time in relation to x-ray but there is the mobile unit and that is open to Mayo.”