Thousands join fight to save vital hospital services

News broke that X-Ray services were to be cut from around 30 hours to 8 hours a week from November 19 at the North Cotswold Hospital, based in Moreton in Marsh.

However, at an overview and scrutiny committee held at Gloucester Shire Hall on November 13, Conservative council representatives negotiated a reprieve through a further 8 hours of X-Ray services for North Cotswold Hospital bringing services up to 16 hours, to be reviewed every six weeks.

Skilled radiographers are needed at the more specialist Interventional Radiology units in Cheltenham and Gloucester. Therefore, the hospital will have its X-Ray services reduced.

Conservatives and Liberals have been working together on the issue.

District Councillor Alison Coggins for Moreton West ward set up a petition to campaign to 'Save the North Cotswold Hospital X-Ray Services.'

If the petition gets 5000 signatures the issue can be debated at Shire Hall.

Cllr Dilys Neil said: "As District Councillor for Stow, Maugersbury and the Swells, I am opposed to the proposed reduction to the X-Ray service at North Cotswold Hospital.

"The proposed cuts would mean: expensive, modern imaging equipment standing idle for most of the week, further staff needed at Cheltenham or Cirencester to cover the increased workload there, and most patients will drive to another hospital in these days when we are being encouraged to reduce our use of the motor car."

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust issued a release that said: “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. The temporary changes are a response to the high levels of radiographer vacancies being experienced in Gloucestershire.

Currently the service employs 109 staff and has a 24% vacancy rate.

The Minor injuries unit at the hospital is open from 8am to 8pm seven days a week.