MRI/Scans waiting times.. a joke

holmyster

I visited my GP yesterday about a back complaint. He kindly referred me to have a MRI in Kilkenny. I contacted the hospital to book my scan. I was told the first available appointment was late April, about 40 day’s time.
Fortunately I work for a health insurance company so have details of all the MRI facilities around Ireland. A quick call to a facility in Naas and I was booked in to have my scan this morning.

What gets at me is that there must be hundreds of people waiting on scans and procedures for months out there and their hospitals are providing no information on alternative Facilities.

If there are others out there waiting on scans or minor procedures shop around. You will be very surprised what's out there.

If anyone wants any help in locating alternative facilities or options drop me a mail. I'm no doctor but will provide you with extra options.

parkerpen

Thanks for that advice. Great to see some honest advice with no strings attached. I heard there was a very long waiting list in most places. Thankfully I don't need an MRI but will bear it in mind.

cassid

thats good to know, thanks for sharing. My son had an mri a few months back and the wait was long, he had to be sedated because he was only 3, but the section was so busy.

Condo131

I had a similar situation two years ago. My consultant wanted MRI results within 10 days. I only realised, coming out of his rooms, that there were only 3 working days in that 10 days (Paddy's Day & Easter in the middle).
I rang all around Munster - I'm in Cork - and the earliest I could get was 3 weeks.

I then rang round the same places again and, this time, on one of the calls, got directly into Radiology and got a slot for the following day.

My surgery and, effectively, my life, depended on that MRI.

It still angers me to think that someone without medical insurance/means would not be able to do that in this country. :mad::mad::mad:

LegacyUser

I am currently on the public waiting list for an MRI....I will be waiting 6 months for mine!!!!I take it you mean ring around for a private MRI? This country has a health care system from hell yet we all seem to just accept it!

Condo131

Yes I meant a private MRI. This two tier system in Ireland is an absolute scandal.

The only thing I can suggest is that you lobby your T.D.s and try to get shoved up the system. I know that'll probably get up your nose to have to do that, but if the MRI is critical, it may be worth your while to try it.

I hope things work out for you.

alexxander

Hi everyone. I had little different situation. for me it unbelievable !! I had MRI scan in Euromedic kilkenny last year. this year i was in poland in my family (i'm polish) i did another one different part of back (nothing founds in last one ) because was cheaper than here. anyway. raport was done in the Polish language so first think i'll go to euromedic asking about new raport in the english with cd images. much easier than looking for a translator. In Euromedic i got answer (it's not possible. I've to do another in clinic) even is the same company in poland. even is the EU standarts. finally i think. the radiologist afraid to do rapport. to mention to Domed intervertebral disc have been detected in the previous scan in poland.

if you have chance dont give up only try another doctor or clinic whatever.... finally different country. Look around yourself how many people of us has problem with skin, allergic, teeth, degeneration and more...
and short history: my son and kids of my friends whatever happens(sick, allergic, bacterias .... got Augmentin duo antibiotic)

sorry for my English
with best wishes
alex

Zzippy

The two-tier health system in this country is a joke. Health insurance is the last thing I would give up, and only if I absolutely had to. I had a serious health scare this week. Without health insurance, going public, I would be waiting weeks/months for an MRI, the same for a consultant appointment, and having treatment delayed, as well as the worry of not knowing what was wrong with me.
I thank my lucky stars that I can afford to pay health insurance, and pay for a private consultant. I had a consultant appointment at 24 hours notice, an MRI that night, and started treatment 2 hours after my apppointment. I dread to think how many people go through months of worry, anxiety, and continuing pain/symptoms because of having to wait for simple diagnostic scans and consultant appointments.

LegacyUser

I was waiting 2 and a half years for my MRI it's a serious situation for waiting times something has to be done