Radiography places need to be increased

MORE radiography places are needed in the country’s universities to fill specialist staff positions as plans advance for the expansion of BreastCheck throughout the southern region, Waterford Fianna Fáil TD Ollie Wilkinson has said.

Deputy Wilkinson said the warning from the director of BreastCheck Ireland, Tony O’Brien, that a shortage of radiographers may impede the future development of BreastCheck should prompt efforts to open more of our third-level colleges to X-ray training.

“Currently, the only third-level institution in the Republic to offer a degree courses in diagnostic radiography is University College Dublin. The college takes in just 40 students annually since the new medical centre was opened in the past couple of years.