Medica launches new baby hip ultrasound service at Clonsilla clinic
Medica has successfully launched a new specialist infant hip ultrasound service at its state-of-the-art clinic in Clonsilla, supporting one of our hospital partners to provide timely assessment for babies referred with suspected developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).
The new service provides a dedicated pathway for infant hip screening and surveillance in a modern, family-friendly clinical environment. Since its launch, clinics have run smoothly, with positive early feedback from parents and families attending the facility.
The service is coordinated by Clinical Services Coordinator Elaine Larkin, Clinical Lead Sonographer Cormac McDonald and Radiology Administrators Debbie Baker and Claire McEvoy, with examinations delivered by Clinical Specialist Sonographer Max Mkhandawire, who has been scanning baby hips with Medica for 15 years.
Their combined clinical expertise and careful coordination have supported a smooth launch and a positive experience for babies and their families from the outset.
Tara Fletcher, Head of Ultrasound Services at Medica Ireland, said:
“We are really proud of how this service has come together. Our entire team have put a huge amount of work into making sure the pathway is well organised, clinically robust and welcoming for families.
“Max has been scanning baby hips with for decades, so we are incredibly lucky to have that level of specialist experience within the team. The feedback from families attending our Clonsilla clinic has been very positive, and it has been great to see the service get off to such a strong start.”
The service demonstrates how Medica Ireland can use its clinical expertise, facilities and operational capability to support hospitals in expanding access to specialist diagnostic imaging.
As Medica continues to grow its Medical Ultrasound and paediatric imaging services, the north Dublin location will provide additional capacity for clinically led services designed around the needs of patients, referring teams and healthcare partners.
Medica brings radiology teams together through new 'Diagnostic Imaging Rounds'
Medica has introduced Diagnostic Imaging Rounds, a new clinician-led learning forum brining sonographers, radiographers, radiologists and referring clinicians together to share cases, exchange expertise and learn across disciplines.
Held every four to six weeks, the sessions are built around interesting, complex and unusual cases encountered in clinical practice. Team members lead case presentations and short educational discussions, creating opportunities to explore clinical findings, reflect on decision-making and share learning that can be applied across Medica radiology and ultrasound services.
The inaugural session was led by Ultrasound Clinical Lead Roisin Phelan, Unit Manager Tafa Chikura and Senior Sonographer Lottie Cullen.
Caroline Byrne, Managing Director of Medica Ireland, said:
“Our teams have a wealth of clinical expertise and experience. Diagnostic Imaging Rounds creates a dedicated space to review practice, discuss imaging techniques and evidence-based practice and consider updated guidance and recommendations. It helps colleagues keep their knowledge current, learn across disciplines and continuously improve the service we provide to our patients.”
The programme supports CPD, professional development and shared learning across Medica Ireland’s growing diagnostic imaging network. Colleagues from across the organisation will be invited to present cases, lead educational discussions and contribute topics for future sessions.
Medica delivers services across four core areas: Medical Ultrasound, Obstetric Imaging, Radiology Imaging and Teleradiology. Operating across multiple locations in Ireland, Medica works in partnership with HSE services, hospital groups and private healthcare providers to improve access to high-quality diagnostic imaging and provide flexible, clinically led solutions tailored to local service needs.
As Medica continues to expand across these four service areas, Diagnostic Imaging Rounds will help ensure that clinical learning, shared standards, evidence-based practice and professional development remain central to the organisation’s growth.
ECR 2026: Conversations, connection and the energy that moves diagnostics forward
ECR 2026: Conversations, connection and the energy that moves diagnostics forward
Each year, the European Congress of Radiology (ECR) brings together a mix of clinical insights, system-wide challenges, innovation, and, most importantly, people. This year was no different. From the moment the Austria Center doors opened on Wednesday morning, the atmosphere was one of energy, openness, and shared purpose, with conversations flowing well beyond the lecture theatres.
During the week, several themes took centre stage: rising demand for imaging, supporting stretched teams, and adopting technology in ways that help clinicians and patients. What stood out most wasn’t just the technology on display, but the quality of thoughtful and future-focused discussions grounded in real-world experience.
Connection and reflection
One of the most valuable aspects of ECR each year is the chance to reconnect. Many conversations were built on relationships formed over years; others were brand new, sparked by a shared interest, challenge, or idea. There’s something uniquely powerful about stepping away from day-to-day pressures and having space to get together, face-to-face.
We heard consistent messages: the need for practical solutions, collaboration across systems, and a continued focus on people, supporting clinicians, developing talent, and creating sustainable ways of working. These aren’t quick fixes. They’re long-term challenges that benefit from exactly the kind of open exchange ECR enables.
Clinical insight from the floor
One of the highlights of the conference was a session delivered by Caroline Byrne, Managing Director of Medica Ireland, which sparked strong engagement and follow-up conversations. Caroline explored the complexities of cross-border teleradiology, emphasising the importance of understanding legal and regulatory responsibilities, professional accountability, and clinical governance when reporting across jurisdictions. The session resonated because it addressed the practical, often complex issues that clinicians face, where patient safety, quality, and compliance must remain at the forefront.
Dr Jonathan Richenberg, Medical Director for Medica Ireland, also delivered an informative and thought-provoking session on testicular masses and how radiologists can adopt a decision tree approach to their diagnostic review and next steps for patient management.
Alongside the formal programme, many of our most valuable insights came from conversations throughout the week. Annabel Bentley, Medica’s Group Chief Medical Officer, spent time engaging with peers and clinicians, sharing perspectives on the importance of reducing unwarranted variations, using data responsibly, new models of care and ensuring governance keeps pace. These discussions reinforced a critical point: innovation must always be anchored in clinical quality, safety, and outcomes, not driven by technology.
Clinical themes we’re taking forward
A few consistent clinical themes emerged from sessions and conversations across ECR:
- Governance as an enabler, not a barrier
As services evolve, robust clinical governance is essential, not to slow progress, but to enable safe, scalable change. - Reducing unwarranted variations
Clinicians are looking for decision support that informs practice and consistency, while respecting professional judgement. - Workflow before technology
The strongest examples of innovation were those which started with workflow first. Defining a clear problem with workflow redesign as the solution being the optimum approach, rather than technology looking for a problem to solve. - Having our reporters’ backs
At Medica, we are working to implement failsafe workflows to support safer working for reporters, with education, peer support and change management treated as integral, not optional.
The infamous ‘Medica Lunch’
A highlight for us, as ever, was ‘The Medica Lunch’, now an ECR tradition.
This year’s event was our biggest yet, with a fantastic turnout and a real buzz at the Flow Bar & Restaurant at the Melia. It was a pleasure to see so many familiar faces, alongside new ones, all taking time out of a busy conference to connect, share experiences, and enjoy great conversation.
There was no formal agenda, just space to talk openly, reflect, and build relationships – and that was achieved with aplomb. Radiologists, radiographers, sonographers, clients, industry and academic peers, and even competitors joined us for barrier-breaking chats and engagement.
What makes the lunch special isn’t its scale, but its spirit. It’s a chance to step away from the exhibition halls, slow the pace, and focus on the human side of what we all do. Judging by the energy in the room and all the feedback to our Medica attendees in recent days, these moments of connection matter more than ever.
Looking ahead
We left ECR 2026 feeling optimistic. The challenges facing diagnostic services are real and complex, but we see and hear huge commitment, creativity, and collaboration across the clinical community. Progress doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens through shared insight, trusted relationships, and a willingness to work together. We’re already looking ahead to the next ECR, where the conversations will continue, and where the infamous Medica lunch promises to be even bigger and better in 2027. Until then, thank you to everyone who took the time to connect with us in Vienna; it was a pleasure, as always.
Continuing the conversation
ECR is often the start of valuable conversations. Whether it’s to share best practices, compare experiences, or simply talk through common challenges, we’re always happy to continue those discussions with peers across the diagnostics community. If you’d like to continue the conversation or explore any of the themes raised at ECR 2026, our team would be delighted to hear from you. Get in touch today, to find out how we can work together to move diagnostics forward.
📧 info@medica.ie
