Tallaght X-ray ‘hysteria’

THE media hysteria last week surrounding the Tallaght X-rays was amazing.

The simple truth is that the hospital is funded to employ seven consultant radiologists instead of 18 which best practice would require to handle the 200,000 annual X-rays and scans.

Consequently, as in every other walk of life, you prioritise.

Sensibly, the vast majority of X-rays not examined by radiologists were orthopaedic cases. I, for one, would be quite happy to forego such examination and rely on my orthopaedic surgeon’s expertise.

Can anybody seriously justify employing another 11 radiologists at Tallaght, at €250,000 a pop, to second guess orthopaedic consultants.

But sure, as Joe Duffy would tell you, you can’t beat a good bout of hysterical outrage.

Dick Keane

Silchester Park

Glenageary

Co Dublin