Improving GP access to U/S – a multidimensional approach in collaboration with the Primary Care Division

Peter V Kavanagh,Arleen Folan,Aisling Heffernan,David Hanlon

doi:10.5334/ijic.3623

Abstract

Improving GP access to U/S – a multidimensional approach in collaboration with the Primary Care Division

Highlights

Difficulties have been identified in the delivery of ultrasound (US) examinations at all levels throughout the healthcare system in Ireland
In Ireland, increasing demand for ultrasound services and inadequate resources have led to long waiting lists and the increase in demand has not been matched by resources and there is a well-documented shortage of Radiologists and Sonographers
Several options are examined in this paper to improve patient access to ultrasound services

Summary

CONFERENCE ABSTRACT

1: HSE, Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin, Ireland; 2: Primary Care Division, HSE, Ireland; 3: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Ireland. Summary: Ultrasound imaging is a vital diagnostic tool for an increasing number and range of clinical conditions, leading to an ever increasing number of requests from both the Primary Care sector and from within the hospital setting (1). In Ireland, increasing demand for ultrasound services and inadequate resources have led to long waiting lists and the increase in demand has not been matched by resources and there is a well-documented shortage of Radiologists and Sonographers. Several options are examined in this paper to improve patient access to ultrasound services. Amongst these is the provision of ultrasound services outside conventional ultrasound departments

Introduction

Findings

Integration into pathways of care