Getting an Xray...

metricspaces

I've got a minor pain in my foot and I may need an x-ray on it. Are these my options and associated charges (I'm in Dublin).

1. A&E
- Queue up for possibly a long time (although I've read here that St James Hospital have a separate queue for minor injuries and waiting times are a lot shorter).

- Pay €66 in total (for attending A&E, getting an x-ray if required, and any treatment required).

2. GP
- Attend my GP and if he thinks that I need an xray he'll refer me as an out patient to a hospital.

- Pay €50 to €60 to my GP.
- Attending the hospital as an out-patient is free when referred by a GP?? i.e. the x-ray will be free and any treatment will be free?

3. VHI SwiftCare Clinic
- Attend one of their clinics, get seen to within an hour and xrayed there and then, and get any results then.

- Pay roughly €200 (for consultation and x-ray).


Also, if I'm referred to a hospital for an x-ray by my GP do the results of the x-ray go back to my GP or will I be diagnosed and treated there in the hospital?

Vorsprung

metricspaces wrote: »

I've got a minor pain in my foot and I may need an x-ray on it. Are these my options and associated charges (I'm in Dublin).

1. A&E
- Queue up for possibly a long time (although I've read here that St James Hospital have a separate queue for minor injuries and waiting times are a lot shorter).

- Pay €66 in total (for attending A&E, getting an x-ray if required, and any treatment required).

2. GP
- Attend my GP and if he thinks that I need an xray he'll refer me as an out patient to a hospital.

- Pay €50 to €60 to my GP.
- Attending the hospital as an out-patient is free when referred by a GP?? i.e. the x-ray will be free and any treatment will be free?

3. VHI SwiftCare Clinic
- Attend one of their clinics, get seen to within an hour and xrayed there and then, and get any results then.

- Pay roughly €200 (for consultation and x-ray).


Also, if I'm referred to a hospital for an x-ray by my GP do the results of the x-ray go back to my GP or will I be diagnosed and there in the hospital?

Any radiological investigation requires a request from a doctor/GP. If a GP referred you the results would be sent out to him/her. Having a minor pain in your foot doesn't always neccessitate an X-ray, so if you saw your GP you may not need to have one.

kelle

Is it an injury?
X-rays are free, BTW, if you go through the public system.

tallaght01

kelle wrote: »

Is it an injury?
.

Let's not get into the issue of trying to work out of the OP will or won't need an xray. I don't mind questions about costs, but you know how it is. No personal medical advice is our only real rule.

Cheers kelle

metricspaces

tallaght01 wrote: »

Let's not get into the issue of trying to work out of the OP will or won't need an xray. I don't mind questions about costs, but you know how it is. No personal medical advice is our only real rule.

Cheers kelle

Yep. I'm not looking for medical advice. Just trying to work out the various options and costs depending on the route I end up going down should I need an x-ray.

PCPhoto

I had something similar in the heel of my foot before christmas - was affecting my work - opted for the swiftcare clinic...... a little under €200 - was in and out in 30-40mins -including X-rays - they said it was soft tissue injury and should be ok within a week (still niggling after a month - probably the cold weather)

now all you have to decide which is better :

Just rest it - hope it will be alright in a week or so.

goto your GP - then possibly hospital.

go directly to hospital (Swiftcare) - do not pass go do not collect 200

metricspaces

kelle wrote: »

Is it an injury?
X-rays are free, BTW, if you go through the public system.

Cool. So if you enter the A&E route

- Pay €66 in total (for attending A&E, getting an x-ray if required, and any treatment required).

Is correct?

metricspaces

PCPhoto wrote: »

I had something similar in the heel of my foot before christmas - was affecting my work - opted for the swiftcare clinic...... a little under €200 - was in and out in 30-40mins -including X-rays - they said it was soft tissue injury and should be ok within a week (still niggling after a month - probably the cold weather)

now all you have to decide which is better :

Just rest it - hope it will be alright in a week or so.

goto your GP - then possibly hospital.

go directly to hospital (Swiftcare) - do not pass go do not collect 200

Yes, this is what I'm trying to work out.

I'm trying to work out which route is better based on the costs and how quickly I will be seen, x-ray'd and treated if required.

RobFowl

metricspaces wrote: »

Cool. So if you enter the A&E route

- Pay €66 in total (for attending A&E, getting an x-ray if required, and any treatment required).

Is correct?

Thanks to Mata Harney the Ae charge is now 100euro

Traumadoc

50% increase, to encourage people to use the GP, or is it swiftcare, i am never sure;)

metricspaces

But is €100 all you'd pay if you entered the A&E route if you had to get an x-ray and subsequent treatment?


Also, if you go to a GP, and get referred as an out patient to get an x-ray, do you have to pay at the hospital for an x-ray?

Larianne

I had to get an x-ray on my knee recently. I was referred by my GP to Beaumont and got an appointment for 4 weeks later. Just paid the 45 euro to my GP and the result of the x-ray was sent to my GP.

I wouldn't suggest holding up places in A&E if it's a minor pain.

metricspaces

Larianne wrote: »

I had to get an x-ray on my knee recently. I was referred by my GP to Beaumont and got an appointment for 4 weeks later. Just paid the 45 euro to my GP and the result of the x-ray was sent to my GP.

I wouldn't suggest holding up places in A&E if it's a minor pain.

Thanks for that. I don't think I would hold up A&E for a minor pain...just trying to gauge whats best time\money wise.

tallaght01

There's very little in this world that would make me go to an Irish A+E. I'd have to be on death's door. Last time I was ill in Ireland I went to the Beacon. Sorted in a few hours (including an MRI!).

Pricey, but my health insurance covered it.

As a cardigan-wearing leftie socialist free-and-equal-healthcare-for-all treehugger type, I got the piss ripped out of my by my colleagues when they heard, but that's another story :P

Traumadoc

:DSplitter.:D

RobFowl

Traumadoc wrote: »

50% increase, to encourage people to use the GP, or is it swiftcare, i am never sure;)

Just have a look who opened all the VHI swiftcare clinics
PS I've never seen a patient who attended there and didn't get an X ray :eek:

Thoie

RobFowl wrote: »

PS I've never seen a patient who attended there and didn't get an X ray :eek:

I know of two patients who attended and didn't get x-rayed if that helps?

I also attended, and was x-rayed, but as I went in there saying "Hi, I'm pretty sure I've broken my ankle" I felt it was fair

RobFowl

Thoie wrote: »

I know of two patients who attended and didn't get x-rayed if that helps?

I also attended, and was x-rayed, but as I went in there saying "Hi, I'm pretty sure I've broken my ankle" I felt it was fair

Ottowa rules seem not to apply though !

metricspaces

Larianne wrote: »

I had to get an x-ray on my knee recently. I was referred by my GP to Beaumont and got an appointment for 4 weeks later. Just paid the 45 euro to my GP and the result of the x-ray was sent to my GP.

I wouldn't suggest holding up places in A&E if it's a minor pain.

Just one thought on this.

If it turns out you need an x-ray where is the logic in attending your GP if you have to wait weeks to get an x-ray as an out patient in a hospital?

If you go through A&E you will get an x-ray straight away.

So the sensible thing to do would seem to be that you'd attend A&E, as opposed to living with an injury for weeks whilst you wait to attend as an out patient for an x-ray, all the time possibly worsening any injury you may have?

kelle

metricspaces wrote: »

But is €100 all you'd pay if you entered the A&E route if you had to get an x-ray and subsequent treatment?


Also, if you go to a GP, and get referred as an out patient to get an x-ray, do you have to pay at the hospital for an x-ray?

An x-ray cost used to cost £6. But this charge was abolished in April 1994, so you don't pay at all for an x-ray unless you're referred by a private consultant.

kelle

kelle wrote: »

Is it an injury?

tallaght01 wrote: »

Let's not get into the issue of trying to work out of the OP will or won't need an xray. I don't mind questions about costs, but you know how it is. No personal medical advice is our only real rule.

Cheers kelle

Sorry I should have elaborated there, Tallaght - I meant to add that A+E might not see him if it was not an injury!

Traumadoc

The A&E has to see them. injury or not.

Larianne

metricspaces wrote: »

Just one thought on this.

If it turns out you need an x-ray where is the logic in attending your GP if you have to wait weeks to get an x-ray as an out patient in a hospital?

If you go through A&E you will get an x-ray straight away.

So the sensible thing to do would seem to be that you'd attend A&E, as opposed to living with an injury for weeks whilst you wait to attend as an out patient for an x-ray, all the time possibly worsening any injury you may have?

With my problem, I've been having a reoccurring pain in my knee but I never felt I needed to go to A&E for it to be treated. It's not an Accident and not an Emergency, that's how I see it. I'd feel silly going in there. The pain has been getting worse so I decided to get advice from my GP and take it from there.

I've had to accompany patients to A&E and have seen how busy and what a mess it is in with timewasters, drunks, druggies etc. I don't want to take up their time unless I really need it. But that's just my attitude to it.

It's up to you what route you go but you should seek medical advice.

metricspaces

After speaking to my GP another option (for me anyhow) is to get a letter from my GP (at no cost) and go get an x-ray privately.

The x-ray result will be sent to my GP, after which he will update me on the phone, and I'll only be charged by him if he needs to treat me.

Two options for getting an x-ray privately in Dublin are:

1) Northwood Imaging

• Cost here http://www.northwoodimaging.ie/pricelist.asp .
• No appointment required. Simply walk in. Results ready within 24 hours.

2) VHI Swiftcare (apparently you can just request an x-ray without paying the consultation fee).

• Cost €75 - €95.
• No appointment required. Simply walk in.

Thanks for the feedback so far. I'm purely trying to weigh up the different options for getting an x-ray (based on cost and time). I'm not arguing the rights and wrongs of attending A&E . It's a pointless argument - people can attend A&E if they want because the system allows it, simple as that really.

Thoie

RobFowl wrote: »

Ottowa rules seem not to apply though !

Maybe it depends on the doctor you get - the one who saw me went through the routine, but I'm sure there are others who wouldn't.

Thoie

metricspaces wrote: »

After speaking to my GP another option (for me anyhow) is to get a letter from my GP (at no cost) and go get an x-ray privately.

The x-ray result will be sent to my GP, after which he will update me on the phone, and I'll only be charged by him if he needs to treat me.

That's nice of him!

Most of the hospitals have an x-ray dept (that isn't A&E) that you can phone and make an appointment with - not sure of the costs, but the last time I had one it was in the region of €70. St James site is here. I'm sure you could phone and ask for the rough price - it might just be another option for you if there's a hospital closer to you than a Swiftcare. Quadruple check if Swiftcare let you have an x-ray with a doctor consultation just in case.

Personally I wouldn't fancy the A&E route, purely because I'd go out of my head with all the waiting and waiting - if you are going that way, bring a book, a bottle of water and change for the vending machines!

I'd also weigh up the cost of my time into the equation - including travel time

Larianne

Chartered Medical in Smithfield is another place you could look into going privately.

DrIndy

charter medical unlike other establishments are staffed by emergency medicine consultants and registrars.

In fairness - a soft tissue injury of a limb falls under the scope of practise of an ANP (advanced nurse practitioner) who are fully qualified to assess and treat as a doctor is. The handy thing is they are also more available. The quiet times (don't hold me to this) are morning time 8-11am and if you happen to be there you should be sorted quickly.

If an ANP does not feel happy with their examination, then they talk to a consultant.

If you have an injury - just get it sorted - price should not matter.

metricspaces

DrIndy wrote: »

In fairness - a soft tissue injury of a limb falls under the scope of practise of an ANP (advanced nurse practitioner) who are fully qualified to assess and treat as a doctor is. The handy thing is they are also more available. The quiet times (don't hold me to this) are morning time 8-11am and if you happen to be there you should be sorted quickly.

Where would one get attended to by an ANP?

Vorsprung

<snip>

possible medico-legal implications

Larianne

bigjimthefirst wrote: »

<snip> possible medicolegal implications

Oh, such as what? PM me if you prefer. Thanks.

DrIndy

Where would one get attended to by an ANP?

All big dublin emergency departments during daytime hours - best is early in the morning.

metricspaces

DrIndy wrote: »

All big dublin emergency departments during daytime hours - best is early in the morning.

Thanks.

So if you go to A&E and queue up, once you get seen if an x-ray is required do you get one there and then? Or do you have to wait in another queue? Or come back another time? And if it turns out you need treatment, do you get it there and then, or have to wait again?

On attending hospitals privately, I was told that it would take between 10 and 15 days for the x-ray to get back to my GP. Why on earth does it take this long? Private clinics can fax the x-ray to a GP within 24 hours.

Vorsprung

Sorry about that Indy, didn' realise the potential legal ****e with that

kelle

metricspaces wrote: »

Just one thought on this.

If it turns out you need an x-ray where is the logic in attending your GP if you have to wait weeks to get an x-ray as an out patient in a hospital?

If you go through A&E you will get an x-ray straight away.

So the sensible thing to do would seem to be that you'd attend A&E, as opposed to living with an injury for weeks whilst you wait to attend as an out patient for an x-ray, all the time possibly worsening any injury you may have?

Most x-ray departments allow you to attend as a walk-in without an appointment if you have an injury or having a Chest x-ray - you may have to wait in the waiting room for a couple of hours though. If it's a recent injury (less than one week old), you may be referred to Casualty so your x-rays can be seen there and then by a Casualty Registrar.

kelle

metricspaces wrote: »

Thanks.

So if you go to A&E and queue up, once you get seen if an x-ray is required do you get one there and then? Or do you have to wait in another queue? Or come back another time? And if it turns out you need treatment, do you get it there and then, or have to wait again?

.

Well, if it's during on-call hours (ie 5pm-9am weekdays and 5pmFriday-9am Monday), there is only one radiographer on duty and cannot make two of themselves , they can only x-ray one patient at a time. If there is a road traffic accident situation, there will be patients for multiple x-rays, which takes a long time. So you would have to wait until the Radiographer is ready.

antodeco

Sorry for jumping in on this thread, but I was told by my GP today I need to get an xray done due to a persistant cough. He advised just heading to James'. Does anyone have any idea what a walk in xray costs?

Thanks

kelle

antodeco wrote: »

Sorry for jumping in on this thread, but I was told by my GP today I need to get an xray done due to a persistant cough. He advised just heading to James'. Does anyone have any idea what a walk in xray costs?

Thanks

It's free, once you're referred by a GP and it's done in a public hospital. The only time you pay is when you visit a consultant or specialist privately and he refers you for an x-ray.

antodeco

kelle wrote: »

It's free.

Fantastic! Best news! Il thank you when Im not on the mobile version

metricspaces

kelle wrote: »

It's free, once you're referred by a GP and it's done in a public hospital. The only time you pay is when you visit a consultant or specialist privately and he refers you for an x-ray.

It's free. I was able to get an appointment for the very next day. But I was told you could be waiting up two 10 to 15 working days before your doctor receives the results of the Xray.

Which seems crazy considering that private clinics can Xray you and have the results with your doctor the next day. So the public sector is 10 to 15 times more inefficent at printing out the xray result and faxing it to a GP ?

Larianne

metricspaces wrote: »

It's free. I was able to get an appointment for the very next day. But I was told you could be waiting up two 10 to 15 working days before your doctor receives the results of the Xray.

Which seems crazy considering that private clinics can Xray you and have the results with your doctor the next day. So the public sector is 10 to 15 times more inefficent at printing out the xray result and faxing it to a GP ?

The doc got mine within 4 days after being x-rayed at Beaumont.

RobFowl

metricspaces wrote: »

So the public sector is 10 to 15 times more inefficent at printing out the xray result and faxing it to a GP ?

Pretty much

ZYX

metricspaces wrote: »

It's free. I was able to get an appointment for the very next day. But I was told you could be waiting up two 10 to 15 working days before your doctor receives the results of the Xray.

Which seems crazy considering that private clinics can Xray you and have the results with your doctor the next day. So the public sector is 10 to 15 times more inefficent at printing out the xray result and faxing it to a GP ?

Not really. Hospitals say 10 days to allow for delays but it is usually much faster than that (as in Larrianne example).
Also there is a big difference between public and Private health care. As you said, you can get x-rays done for free in a public hospital. A private hospital has to make it more attractive to patients to pay for something that is free. One of the ways is to promise quick results. Private hospitals have to encourage as much work for themselves as possible. The public system is the exact opposite. They have no interest in encouraging more x-rays.
It should also also be said that if a result is needed quickly from a public hospital, the GP who ordered it can simply phone for result within 24 hours.

kelle

Our department has a 3-4 day wait for results to get to their GP, but then it is a small department. It used to be 2 days (long ago when our population was a lot less) and, would you believe it patients still complained that was too long! I would inform them it took 14 days in the last department I worked in London!!!
We also fax results to GP's who request it on the same day.