Ultrasound patients have been put on hold by a Dublin hospital after the in-house sonographer retired with no replacement at the ready.
St Michael's Hospital in Dun Laoghaire have stopped providing the specialist scans last week with patients being told not to expect an update until the end of the month.
A spokesperson confirmed a new sonographer has been appointed - but it's not known when they will start.
It's also not clear how much notice the HSE were given before the old sonographer left.
The hospital told patients they're in a "period of transition" and that they expect to have an update "by the end of the month".
An email read: "At the moment, as you are aware, the x-ray department is in a period of transition and consequently we are not in a position to offer patients ultrasound appointments currently.
"However, we hope to have more information by the end of this month and from there we will begin to contact patients with appointments."
A spokesperson for St Michael's told Dublin Live that all urgent ultrasounds are currently being refereed to Vincent's Hospital and this will be the case until the new sonographer starts.
They said: "All x-rays are being carried out as normal in St. Michael’s Hospital.
"A sonographer has been appointed and is due to commence shortly and in the interim all urgent ultrasound appointments are being facilitated in our sister hospital in Elm Park, St. Vincent’s University Hospital."
Local councillor Cormac Devlin said he's written to the Ireland East Hospital group to find out more about how the situation arose.
The Fianna Fail politician told Dublin Live: "If this is the result of a retirement, they can plan for that and should've because it need to be covered.
"We need to know how many patients are affected by this.
"It's just not good enough that this situation arises, it's not good enough for patients who deserve better.
"Nationally there are waiting lists galore, and one like this seems ludicrous as it's avoidable"
