All Mayo residents with a Mammogram appointment have been redirected to Galway. Photo: Alamy/PA.
Concerns have been raised over the suspension of mammogram services at Mayo University Hospital.
The service has been temporarily suspended due to the recent retirement of the hospital’s radiographer. In the meantime, all mammogram appointments are being transferred to Galway.
Minister of State Alan Dillon TD confirmed that he had received numerous messages from Mayo residents who were worried about the impact of the service disruption on women in the county. He said he has made formal representations to the HSE on the matter, and stated he has contacted the office of the Minister for Health to push for urgent action.
“This is a deeply regrettable situation for Mayo patients who rely on Mayo University Hospital for vital mammogram services,” said the Minister, “Equality of access to healthcare is a fundamental right, and Mayo people deserve the same standard of timely care as anyone else in the country.”
The HSE confirmed in a statement that they have a successful candidate to fill the radiographer position at MUH and they are due to begin in 2026, but stated that efforts to secure a temporary replacement in the interim have so far been unsuccessful.
The statement read: “Due to the recent retirement of a Radiographer who provided mammography services in MUH all appointments have been transferred to Galway in the interim. A recruitment campaign for this role has taken place and the successful candidate has accepted the position and will begin the role in early 2026. Efforts in the interim to secure a temporary replacement have been unsuccessful so far, however these efforts are continuing.”
Minister Dillon said he is working proactively with the HSE to ensure a temporary solution is secured as soon as possible.
He added: “While I welcome confirmation that a permanent radiographer has been recruited, it is deeply regrettable that patients in Mayo should have to travel such long distances for this service.
“The people of Mayo deserve fairness and equality of access to healthcare services. I will continue to do all I can to ensure mammogram services are restored to Mayo University Hospital without delay.”
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.