Call for more X-ray machine hours

A health watchdog has called for more use to be made of an X-ray machine at a cottage hospital in Gwynedd.

Currently the facility at Bryn Beryl just outside Pwllheli is used for nine hours a week.

One patient who had to travel 28 miles to Bangor for her X-ray said she would welcome any improved service.

Martin Jones the chief executive of the North Wales NHS Trust said there was no plan to extend the hours, but the trust would look at how much it would cost.

The limited use of the X-ray facility came to light during a routine visit to the hospital by the Gwynedd Community Health Council.

Council members regularly visit health facilities and report their finding to the North Wales NHS Trust.

"Between travelling there, having the x-tray taken, and seeing the consultant, it took five hours"
Nerys Warham, patient

"It is part of our work to see what service and facilities are being offered," said community council chief officer Glanville Owen.

"At Bryn Beryl we found that the state-of-the-art X-ray facility was only used for nine hours each week.

"We felt this was a pity because without it patients have to travel quite a distance to Ysbyty Gwynedd hospital at Bangor," he added.

Mr Glanville said it was not the first time that the opening hours of the facility has been raised by the community health council.

"We understand that there needs to be money to run it, but we felt it was important to note that we would like more use to be made of the facility once finances allow," he added.

One patient who could have benefited from the facility is Nerys Warham, from the Pwllheli area, who broke her leg in August.

"I was taken for my first X-ray to Bryn Beryl, but then a week later I had to have another one, and had to travel to Bangor," she said.

"Between travelling there, having the X-tray taken, and seeing the consultant, it took five hours.

"I definitely feel that more should be done with the facility at Bryn Beryl," she added.

Martin Jones, chief executive with the North West Wales NHS Trust said: "The financing of more frequent use of the x-ray equipment will be examined in conjunction with the Gwynedd Local Health Board.

"But there are no plans to extend the hours of the facility at present."

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