X-ray debate on cards after 5,365 sign petition

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MORE than 5,000 people have backed a campaign to stop cuts to NHS services.

Thousands have residents have signed a petition against the decision to reduce X-ray services from around 30 hours to eight at the North Cotswold Hospital.

On November 13, Gloucester Shire Hall’s overview and scrutiny committee heard how a reprieve of sorts was negotiated by Conservative council representatives.this means the services will be available for 16 hours a week, a decision that will be reviewed every six weeks.

After 5,365 signatures were collected in two weeks, it can now be debated at Shire Hall. Local Councillor Alison Coggins said: “I am overwhelmed by the support.”

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust issued a statement about the cuts.

The X-ray department employs 109 staff and has a 24 per cent vacancy rate, which they said was having an impact.

“It has been agreed that the provision of X-ray services in Gloucestershire will be revised on an interim basis to ensure that the most specialist services can continue to be provided safely,” it said. “The temporary changes are a response to the high levels of radiographer vacancies being experienced in Gloucestershire.”