A new medical scanning clinic which will prevent patients from taking long journeys opened in Letterkenny today.
Affidea, Ireland’s leading independent diagnostic imaging provider, opened the centre to serve the people of Donegal and surrounding areas.
Minister for Health, Mr Simon Harris TD attended the unveiling at Affidea’s state-of-the-art clinic at Scally Place.
Harris told the assembled crowd in attendance that today represented a good day for Letterkenny and good day for Donegal and addressed what he described as ‘misguided’ comments over the Affidea project.
He also revealed that plans are in place for Primary Care Centres to be built in Gweedore and Newtoncunningham.
Minster for Health Simon Harris said, “I’m delighted to be here, and this is a good day for Letterkenny and a good day for Donegal.
“This centre has created 10 jobs, and it has provided an opportunity for individuals who left Donegal to work in Dublin and further a field – to move back to the North-West to work again.
“There have been ‘misguided’ comments over this project, and I want to address them, this centre gives everyone access to diagnostic equipment, and it doesn’t matter if you’re a public patient or a private patient.
“I think it’s quite possibly the best of both systems merging together – I’m absolutely committed to the development our Public Health Service and I want to reject wholly the ‘misguided’ or ‘ill-informed’ concept of in relation to the privatisation of the health service.
“I’m pleased today, that medical card patients in Letterkenny and private patients in Letterkenny have access to diagnostic equipment quicker than they could’ve accessed it in the past.
“So that has to be a positive and that has to be good news for patients in Letterkenny.”
Affidea, Ireland’s leading independent diagnostic imaging provider, formerly known as Euromedic, today opened new medical scanning facility in Letterkenny to serve the people of Donegal and surrounding areas. Minister for Health, Mr Simon Harris TD attended the unveiling at Affidea’s state-of-the-art clinic from left are Tom Finn, CEO Affidea, Minister Harris and Ruth McCrudden, Centre Manager. Photo – Clive Wasson
Patients who want to arrange a private scan in the Republic of Ireland currently face a two hour drive to Sligo.
The company is investing €2m in opening the Letterkenny clinic, as part of an overall €15m investment in the Irish healthcare sector.
Ten new jobs have been created as a result, with all positions held by local employees, many of which have returned home to fulfil the positions from outside Ireland including London, Scotland and Australia.
The multi-modality scanning centre will serve as a primary care diagnostic scanning facility, offering MRI, Ultrasound and X-ray.
Affidea Letterkenny is equipped with state of the art technology including the High Specification Philips Ingenia Wide Bore MRI Scanner, providing the highest quality scans and a much improved patient experience, particularly for patients who experience claustrophobia or those who find it difficult to tolerate the noise of older scanners.
Affidea clinics are accredited with the internationally recognised standard in ambulatory care from the Joint Commission International (JCI) and will operate the new clinic in Letterkenny to the same exacting standards while undergoing the accreditation process.
Tom Finn, CEO of Affidea, said today is a landmark in a primary healthcare evolution for Donegal and the North West.
“The Letterkenny clinic will serve to ensure local patients have greater accessibility to medical scans, quickly, professionally and to the highest of standards. The new clinic will ensure patients can receive the timely attention they need in a primary care environment, rather than hospital based setting. Affidea is proud to offer an ultrasound service in conjunction with the HSE from our new Letterkenny centre, offering an expanded and seamless service to public and private patients.”
Keith McElchar, Clinical Specialist Sonographer, said: “Having lived in Australia for the past five years I was planning to move home. However, it is difficult to find a position in my field in Donegal. I’m delighted to have secured employment as Clinical Specialist Sonographer of Affidea Letterkenny, just twenty minutes from my family home.”
Affidea, Ireland’s leading independent diagnostic imaging provider, today opened new medical scanning facility in Letterkenny a €2 Million investment with 10 new jobs to serve the people of Donegal and surrounding areas. Minister for Health, Mr Simon Harris TD attended the unveiling at Affidea’s state-of-the-art clinic from left are Tom Finn, CEO, Affidea, Dainelle McCauley, Senior Radiographer, Minister Finn and Rachel Monaghan, Senior Radiographer. Photo – Clive Wasson
