'Several unsuccessful attempts' to attract Senior Radiographer to Carndonagh X Ray service

The service is located at Carndonagh Community Hospital.

Following a query from the Journal, the HSE said ‘several unsuccessful attempts were made to fill this position of Senior Radiographer in Carndonagh’s community radiology diagnostic service ‘from existing panels’.

They added: “HSE Donegal Human Resources are now in the process of organising a bespoke campaign for this position.

The spokesperson confirmed that the average wait time in Carndonagh for an X-ray is ‘6-8 weeks due to Annual Leave etc. over the summer, however this is the case across the County and the increase in referrals has caused longer waiting times’.

"All minor injuries and Chest x-ray referrals are being prioritised as usual.”

Sinn Fein Councillor Albert Doherty, who is a member of the Regional Health Forum and who has raised the issue on a number of occasions said the ‘impasse that’s continuing regarding the inability to attract or fill this position is totally unacceptable for Inishowen people’.

"I’ve raised this at the Regional Health Forum and have been told similar to this response – that the senior position was being re-advertised.”

He said he was told the search would be expanded not only regionally, such as into Derry, but also ‘nationally and internationally’.

"This recent response just highlights a lack of being able to attract people to take good, long, steady jobs in the North Donegal area and Inishowen area and this remains a serious situation that must be resolved by the HSE and government partners.”