National Service Directory for Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiology (IR) offers a range of minimally invasive, image-guided procedures that can provide patients with timely access to specialist treatment while reducing the need for multiple hospital appointments.

The National Clinical Programme for Interventional Radiology is working to expand direct GP referral pathways, enabling suitable patients to access selected IR services directly.

This directory is designed to help GPs identify which hospitals offer specific IR procedures and how referrals can be made – supporting access to specialist image-guided care.

Interventional radiologists provide image-guided removal of deeply inserted, non-palpable or difficult-to-remove Implanon devices.

IR units in the following hospitals are accepting GP referrals for Implanon.

HSE Dublin and North East

  • Beaumont Hospital
  • The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
  • Cavan Monaghan hospital
  • Connolly Hospital
  • Drogheda

HSE Dublin and Midlands

  • St James's Hospital
  • Tallaght University Hospital

HSE Dublin and South East

  • St Vincent's University Hospital
  • University Hospital Waterford

HSE South West

  • Cork University Hospital
  • Mercy University Hospital

HSE West and North West

  • Galway University Hospital
  • Mayo University Hospital*
  • Sligo University Hospital

Note: Referrals to Mayo University Hospital must be made by email.

Referral method: Healthlink referral to radiology department.

Image-guided embolisation may be offered for selected patients with symptomatic male or female varicocoele.

IR units in the following hospitals are accepting GP referrals for male and female varicocoele embolisation.

HSE Dublin and North East

  • Beaumont Hospital
  • Connolly Hospital

HSE Dublin and South East

  • St Vincent's University Hospital

HSE West and North West

  • Galway University Hospital
  • Mayo University Hospital

Referral method: Referral to named IR consultant.

Uterine fibroid embolisation is a minimally invasive treatment option for selected women with symptomatic fibroids.

IR units in the following hospitals are accepting GP referrals for uterine fibroid embolisation.

HSE Dublin and South East

  • St Vincent's University Hospital

HSE West and North West

  • Galway University Hospital

Referral method: Referral to named IR consultant.

IR services can provide management of indwelling catheter-related problems including:

  • Dislodged, blocked or leaking:
    – Gastrostomy tubes
    – Nephrostomy tubes
    – Biliary tubes

Urgent issues: Direct contact with local IR service.

Routine catheter changes: Healthlink referral to radiology department.