HSE funded Community Mobile X‑ray Service delivers major impact in 2025, transforming access to diagnostics across Ireland

More than 16,000 x-rays were delivered directly to people where they live across Ireland in 2025, supporting over 12,500 people avoid hospital transfer and preventing more than 25,000 ambulance journeys, according to a new report – the HSE Community Mobile X-ray Service Impact Report. The service is accessible to patients in their place of residence, including nursing homes, community hospitals, disability residences, hospices, private residences, and mental health settings.

The HSE‑funded Community Mobile X‑ray Service, delivered in partnership with Mobile Medical Diagnostics, is designed to support those who may find hospital attendance challenging, the service brings diagnostic imaging closer to where people live and receive care, thereby improving access and continuity of care.

In 2025, the service recorded its highest activity to date, completing over 16,000 X-rays and visiting almost 13,000 patients across all 26 counties.

By delivering diagnostics in community and residential settings, the service enabled 12,515 patients to avoid hospital transfer and prevented 25,030 ambulance journeys, significantly reducing pressure on acute hospitals and emergency transport.

More than 2,000 referrers, including GPs, consultants and advanced nurse practitioners, used the service to support timely clinical decision making.

Minister for Older People, Kieran O’Donnell TD, said; “This Impact Report clearly demonstrates that the national roll-out of the HSE funded Community Mobile X‑Ray Service is making a real and measurable difference for people living in nursing homes, community hospitals, hospices, disability and intellectual disability residences, community mental health services and to individuals living at home who may find attendance at an acute hospital challenging. By bringing timely diagnostics directly to people where they live, irrespective of where that might be, we are improving the overall care experience for individuals as well as reducing avoidable emergency department admissions, and ambulance journeys.

That matters - because it prevents patients from having to make an unnecessary visit to the ED.

It is a clear priority for this Government to ensure that more care is delivered closer to home, in a way that supports dignity and independence, and enables people to live in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. This Community Mobile X‑Ray Service aligns closely with the ambitions of Sláintecare by ensuring that patients can access the right care, in the right place and at the right time.”

The service is available free of charge to people aged 17 and over. Referrals are made by GPs, Consultants and Advanced Nurse Practitioners. X-rays are taken by CORU‑registered radiographers and reported by Consultant Radiologists, ensuring high‑quality diagnostics delivered safely in community settings. Referrals are prioritised on clinical urgency, imaging is delivered at the point of care, and consultant radiology reports are returned rapidly to support timely diagnosis and treatment.

Pat Healy, National Director, National Services and Schemes, HSE, said; “The Community Mobile X‑ray Service is a key enabler of Enhanced Community Care (ECC) programme and aligns with Sláintecare’s “home first” approach, supporting safer, more timely clinical decisions while reducing unnecessary hospital attendances. The community mobile x-ray service is designed and delivered in the most patient‑centred way possible, the service continues to strengthen integration across primary care, community services, residential care providers and acute hospitals. I want to acknowledge our project partners Mobile Medical Diagnostics and community stakeholders for their sustained collaboration and commitment since 2023, which has been central to the successful delivery and expansion of this important service”.