Following years of pressure on the health services, x-ray facilities are finally to be provided in Tuam – with work to commence in the next couple of months.

The Health Service Executive confirmed that the facilities will be operational by the end of the year and a radiographer has already been recruited.

The announcement was welcomed by Deputy Sean Canney, who said there was no reason why the x-ray facility for Tuam should not have been in place years ago rather than having patients travelling to Galway city or Ballinasloe.

The Galway East TD has been informed by the HSE that the service will be provided in the Tuam Primary Care Centre, in conjunction with Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe.

The confirmation has been received from Mary Warde, Head of Primary Care Services with the HSE, who said that works are expected to commence in June.

The HSE has further confirmed that the ultrasound service was increased to a five day a week service in January of this year and GPs can now directly access this service for their patients.

The HSE also stated that the National Primary Care have invested in staff, equipment, and capital funding for the development of diagnostic services in Tuam Primary Care Centre.

Currently the ultrasound is delivered by two ultra sonographers, a healthcare assistant along with the support of administration staff.

There has been considerable frustration over the fact that funding for the x-ray services in Tuam was provided almost years ago but it was not drawn down by the HSE.

The funding for the project was allocated by former Health Minister Simon Harris back in 2017 following representations made to him by local public representatives.

However, the HSE had failed to identify a room at the extensive building, located on the Purcell Stockwell Road in Tuam that cost almost €8 million to build, that would be suitable for such a facility.

Deputy Canney said that it was important that the facilities be put in place without any further delay.

“This has been in the melting pot for some considerable time and there was no reason why it could not have been provided before now.

“But still, it is a welcome development and, when provided, it means that vital x-ray services will be provided locally with patients no longer having to travel long distances for such facilities,” said Deputy Canney.