X-ray axe bid rallying call

IRATE campaigners are calling upon locals to attend a key public meeting which will put the spotlight on cuts to health provision within Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.

Cumbernauld Community Forum was one of the most vociferous opponents of plans to cut X Ray services in both towns.

Despite a vigorous campaign to have these retained, Lanarkshire Health Board announced that the services would be removed.

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Health chiefs argued that the equipment used was too old to be fully functional - and that an alternative service would be made available at Monklands Hospital.

Now the group wants the same bosses to face their public - amidst claims that patients were never consulted about the loss of their X-Ray facilities.

Forum members have organised a meeting to this end which will be held in the Cornerstone House premises in the town centre on Monday February 28 at 7pm And we understand that they have invited Minister for Health Nicola Sturgeon to attend.

Chairman Billy Lees said: “This meeting will give the residents of Cumbernauld and Kilsyth the opportunity to ask questions on why they have not been properly consulted on the closure of these X-Ray units which are one of the most vital parts of the National Health Service that were operating here.

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Mr Lees believes that NHS Lanarkshire failed to see the bigger picture - and that patients will suffer as a result.

“There is only one bus per hour to Monklands so if you don’t have a car, you could be sitting on a bus in agony with a broken bone. This will also take up vital time in an already stretched Accident & Emergency department,” he said.

“These units were closed without proper consultation and the reason we have have sent a letter to Ms Sturgeon is because she said that front line services would not be cut and would be provided for in the NHS Budget,” he added.

Cumbernauld & Kilsyth MSP Cathie Craigie has also been invited to attend.

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