X-ray service is suspended

Health bosses have said that they will suspend the use of X-ray equipment in both towns on December 31, and that they cannot yet say if these services will ever be reinstated.

NHS Lanarkshire is considering the future of these services in Cumbernauld, Kilsyth, Stonehouse and Coatbridge, but the final decision will not be made until March. However, at the end of December the manufacturers of the equipment in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth will stop maintenance work on the machines used at Central Health Centre and Kilsyth Health Centre, due to the age of the equipment.

An NHS Lanarkshire spokeswoman said: "We would be in breach of national safety regulations if we continued to use the equipment after this date.

"As a result patients at these health centres will be referred directly to Monklands radiology department. They will not be directed to the A&E department. We are working closely with GPs to ensure patients can access the services they need.

"This measure will continue until the outcome of the engagement process is decided. We are still committed to providing a service to Cumbernauld and Kilsyth and while we appreciate this will involve further travel for patients they will receive a much faster turnaround time for their results".

Local MSP Cathie Craigie said she was "deeply disappointed" by the news.

"This is vital to local people," she said. "By removing it, NHS Lanarkshire are heaping pressure on Monklands Hospital, which will be forced to treat patients who could receive care within their own community.

"Furthermore, removing the X-Ray Services in the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth area will impact those who do not have access to a car. With the changes to the Patient Transport Service many will be forced to endure long bus journeys or pay money for a taxi to Airdrie.

"I will be writing to the Health Board and to the Health Secretary about this unacceptable course of action, which will hit the poor and vulnerable hardest.

Cumbernauld Community Forum has also vowed to fight for local X-ray services. They are calling on Central Scotland MSPs and also the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Nicola Sturgeon, to hear their appeals.

Their health spokesman, Donald Masterson, told the News: "NHS Lanarkshire needs to save 375,000 to replace its X-ray equipment at Hairmyres and has said these closures will provide the cash to do so.

Our protests on this have not been recorded which means we are not being given a right of appeal within NHS Lanarkshire and will have to go straight to Parliament to seek a hearing. If these services are shut down it seems clear they will be shut forever.

"It is time for everyone in Cumbernauld to make a stand, and that includes our elected representatives."

The News has obtained NHS figures from earlier this year that put a price tag on running these departments. At all sites maintenance has been costed at 10,000. Additionally, staffing in Cumbernauld has been costed at 48,168 and replacing the equipment would cost 115,000 at either location.