Fianna Fáil TD Erin McGreehan has secured a Government commitment to extend weekend X-ray services at Louth County Hospital following a Topical Issue she raised in the Dáil.
Deputy McGreehan highlighted that the hospital’s Minor Injury Unit is one of the busiest in the country, but weekend X-ray services currently only operate from 12pm to 8pm, resulting in unnecessary delays for patients. She called for the recruitment of an additional radiographer to ensure X-ray services are available throughout the full opening hours of the Minor Injury Unit, helping to reduce waiting times and ease pressure on Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda
In response, the Minister confirmed that the HSE is putting the necessary staffing resources in place to extend radiology services, with a fully operational weekend service expected during the third quarter of this year.
“I raised this issue because patients attending the Minor Injury Unit should be able to access X-ray services throughout the unit’s opening hours, particularly at weekends when delays can be frustrating for both patients and staff alike.”
The Minister also confirmed that the Minor Injury Unit at Louth County Hospital is the fifth busiest of the country’s 14 Injury Units. Between January and May this year, it treated 8,333 patients, a 2.4% increase on the same period last year and 22% above the national average for Injury Units.
Welcoming the commitment, Deputy McGreehan said:
“I am delighted to have secured this commitment from the Minister. This is a really positive outcome for patients across Louth and demonstrates the importance of raising local issues directly in the Dáil.
“Louth County Hospital’s Minor Injury Unit is already delivering an exceptional service for thousands of patients every year. This is not about creating a new service. It is about strengthening one that is already proving its worth every single day
“Extending weekend X-ray availability will reduce waiting times and ease pressure on the Emergency Department at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. I will continue to engage with the HSE to ensure this commitment is delivered and that patients begin to see the benefits of this as soon as possible.”
