Mobile scans spared thousands a hospital journey
A HSE-funded diagnostic service delivered more than 16,000 X-rays in residential and community settings during 2025. Its latest impact report says patients across all 26 counties benefited, with fewer transfers and ambulance trips needed.
More than 16,000 X-rays were delivered where people live in 2025, as a HSE-funded mobile service helped thousands avoid hospital transfers.
The Community Mobile X-ray Service visited almost 13,000 patients across all 26 counties, its highest activity to date. Its impact report says 12,515 patients avoided hospital transfer and 25,030 ambulance journeys were prevented.
Delivered with Mobile Medical Diagnostics, the service reaches nursing homes, community hospitals, hospices, disability residences, mental health settings and private homes. More than 2,000 GPs, consultants and advanced nurse practitioners used it to support clinical decisions.
The service is free for people aged 17 and over, with referrals made by those clinicians. CORU-registered radiographers take the X-rays, consultant radiologists report on them, and referrals are prioritised according to clinical urgency.
Minister for Older People Kieran O’Donnell said bringing diagnostics to patients improved their experience while reducing avoidable emergency department admissions and ambulance journeys. “That matters - because it prevents patients from having to make an unnecessary visit to the ED,” he said.
HSE national director Pat Healy said the service supported timely clinical decisions and Sláintecare’s “home first” approach. He also acknowledged the contribution of the provider and community partners since 2023.