Player Welfare Initiative
A New Player Welfare Initiative For All GAA/CLG Club and County Players Giving Rapid Access and Reporting
To MRI & X-Ray Services At Competitive Prices From Sunday 15th July 2007
[b]Medical Services – better services, lower costs and a better deal for Players[/b]
An issue of concern that has regularly been brought to our attention is the high cost of medical treatment of our players and, specifically, the high cost of MRI scans.
We have been looking at ways of reducing the expenditure of clubs and counties in this regard and have been examining ways of nÓgotiating lower prices nationally at strategically located MRI Centres throughout the country.
As a first step towards that end, we have nÓgotiated a service level contract, on a pilot basis initially, with Northwood Imaging Ltd, which comes into effect from Sunday 15th July 2007. In addition to the player centric approach and benefits, the prices agreed with Northwood Imaging will yield considerable savings to clubs and the GAA as a whole.
[b]Value for Money[/b]
The current prices being charged to GAA players, and in most cases being covered by the Player Injury scheme, vary from between 400 to over 600 per MRI Scan. We have nÓgotiated a price of 295 for a single MRI scan and 50 for an x-ray at Northwood Imaging in Dublin. These prices are all inclusive of professional fees, copies of scans on film or on CD etc. These rates represent a significant savings to our clubs, units and County Boards and clearly signal that a good cost containment policy is sustainable and consistent with improved standards of service. If this pilot scheme operates successfully, we hope to extend it to other regions during 2008 but for the duration of the pilot project these prices will be available to all players, club and inter-county, from all 32 counties, at Northwood Imaging only.
Northwood Imagingâs state of the art diagnostic imaging centre is located just 20 minutes from Croke Park and within 10 minutes from Dublin airport. The Centre has been added to the list of approved facilities by the major accreditation/funding agencies, including the HSE, NTPF and all private medical insurers, including VHI Healthcare, Quinn Healthcare, and VIVAS Health. ESB Medical Provident Fund, Garda Medical Aid etc
[b]Opening Hours meeting Playerâs needs and schedules.[/b]
As an integral part of this exclusive GAA service level contract, Northwood Imaging will extend its opening hours giving GAA players and our medical support personnel unrivalled access to their services for a total of 96 hours per week
Additional Opening Hours for GAA Players
⢠Sunday 12 noon to 8pm
⢠Monday to Thursday 8.00pm to 12 midnight
These arrangements are in addition to the normal opening hours
⢠Monday to Friday 8.00am to 8.00pm
⢠Saturday 8.00am to 6.00pm
Paddy Creedon, the CEO at Northwood Imaging and his qualified staff are always available to answer any questions you may have on this service. You can contact him at 01.8627361 or 087.2532011 at any time.
Starting on Sunday 15th July
This service will operate on a pilot basis from 15 July to 31 October 2007. A number of GAA players have already availed of the diagnostic modalities at Northwood Imaging since it opened in April 2005.
[b]How does the scheme work?[/b]
1. Make contact directly at 01-8627333 and make an MRI appointment. No appointment is necessary for an X-Ray as a walk in service is available at Northwood Imaging
2. Download and complete the relevant âMRI Scan/X-Ray Request Formâ from www.northwoodimaging.ie or on the GAA website at www.gaa.ie
[b]3. On arrival at Northwood Imaging, the player will present the necessary MRI Scan/X-Ray Request Form signed by his club or county secretary and medical doctor. All requests must be supported and signed off by registered medical practitioners.[/b]
4. The player will pay the fee of 295 (MRI) or 50 (X ray) and claim reimbursement through the GAA Player Injury scheme, subject to the rules of the scheme. If the player has Private Medical Insurance (e.g. VHI Healthcare) the necessary claim form for these insurers will be completed and no fee will be collected. (Please note that travel and accommodation expenses are not covered).
The only way we will know if this scheme is to be successful or not is if we use it at club and county level when the need arises. Please encourage all players and the medical team attached to your club/unit/county to try out the service during the course of the pilot scheme and let Paraic O Dufaigh, Bainisteoir Leasa na nImreoirÃ, or the people at Northwood Imaging know what you think of the service. All feedback and comments will be taken into account in the development of our medical services policy going forward and as we seek to develop this pilot project to other centres in 2008.
15-Jul-07 by Pauric Duffy – Croke Park
