Expensive x-ray machine still gathering dust

THE Health
Service Executive (HSE) says it hasn’t the money to use or move an x-ray
machine worth over half a million euro, which has been lying idle in a local
health centre for six years.

The hi-tech
radiology system has been gathering dust in Ballymun Primary Health Centre
since it opened in 2006 because the HSE can’t afford to pay for staff to
operate it.

Northside
People first broke the story last April but despite our coverage, which sparked
widespread outrage at the time, the situation remains exactly the same almost a
year later.

The unused
scanner is not only a shocking waste of money, but a shameful waste of medical
equipment which could be used to diagnose breaks and fractures in patients who
are being referred to A&E departments.

The Ballymun
Primary Health Centre, which cost

?¬56 million to build and a further

?¬9 million
to fit out, was opened with the intention of reducing the need for local people
to go to hospital for diagnosis and certain treatments.

The facility,
which was designed as a

‘centre of excellence’ with primary functions of
physiotherapy and x-ray, doesn’t have a radiographer or the additional staff
required to operate the expensive radiology machine.

A spokesperson
for the HSE explained that it is not financially viable to use the expensive
scanner at present.

“Following wide
consultation with relevant clinicians regarding the x-ray machine, which was
installed in the Ballymun Health Centre as part of the initial fit out, it has
been decided that in the current economic climate and with reduced resources,
it would not be prudent to invest further in the x-ray facility,

? she told Northside
People.

“This decision
was taken following consideration of the highly responsive x-ray service
currently available, the fact that plain x-ray is only occasionally used in
routine GP investigations and due to the potential waste involved in investing
in a service that would result in the under utilisation of staff and the
equipment.

“It was decided
that alternative venues would be explored. The costs associated with relocating
an x-ray machine in the current climate have been prohibitive.

?

Dublin North
West TD and Minister of State at the Department of Health, Roisin Shortall
(Lab), who was first made aware of the situation last year by Northside People,
said she was

“disappointed

? with the response from the HSE on the matter.

“It is a waste
of money and I think it shows why there needs to be more communication between
the HSE and the Government,

? she stated.

“Unfortunately,
there have been umpteen examples such as this where facilities were built and
paid for without the available resources to run them.

“It’s a
terrible waste. I looked into the matter last year and the vibes coming back
from the HSE haven’t been very positive.

“Obviously, the
HSE is under pressure budget-wise but I have asked that they report back to me
on the potential to use the scanner elsewhere.

?

Minister
Shortall said she finds it difficult to believe that the scanner can’t be put
to some use, particularly to take the pressure off hospital A&Es.

“I visited the
facility after your last article so I know the machine is a fabulous piece of
equipment that should and could be used elsewhere,

? she added.

“The North West
has a huge catchment area and I’m also conscious that the Swiftcare clinic in
DCU has closed down, which is adding to the number of patients presenting at
A&Es for x-rays.

?