Medics urged to cut down on ‘needless’ X-rays

HOSPITALS and GPs were yesterday urged to take a stronger line with people demanding needless X-rays.

Liam Murray, radiography services manager at St Johns Hospital in Limerick, said up to 40% of X-rays are unnecessary. St John’s has the shortest waiting time for routine X-rays in the mid-west, and deals with GP referrals within three days compared with a waiting time of more than three weeks at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital.

Mr Murray said GPs and hospital medical staff need to tighten up on the screening process to avoid people clogging A&E departments for needless X-rays.