A BROKEN x-ray machine is forcing patients on Canvey to travel across south Essex for appointments...and will not be replaced for up to18 months.

Pamela Maley has urged the Mid and South Essex Trust to fix the problem immediately because patients have to travel to Basildon or Southend Hospital.

The 74-year-old claims the machine broke almost two years ago and said it is “ridiculous” that elderly and vulnerable patients have to travel for a “ten-minute x-ray”.

The trust has said the machine cannot be repaired, but a new one will be installed at the Paddocks Primary Care Centre, on Long Road, “in the next 12 to 18 months”.

Ms Maley, who lives near Kings Park, said: “It broke about two years ago and they can’t get it fixed.

“I can drive, so I can get there, but my husband had Parkinson’s and has passed away, that’s why I feel so strongly for people with disabilities.

“The bus takes one hour and 40 minutes, and you’re not going for a day out, you’re going because you’re unwell.

“You have a ten minute x-ray, come out and if the bus isn’t there you have to wait for the bus to turn up.

“I think it’s wrong.

“Some are disabled and in wheelchairs and have to go for just a three minute appointment.”

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Ms Maley has previously written to the trust saying that some residents who can’t use the bus have paid for taxies to and from Southend Hospital and Canvey, which she said has cost them as much as £50.

She added: “On Kings Park, most residents are aged 60 and over and some with many ailments.

“Why do we have to travel so far for this service?

“I get that you go to Southend for treatment, but this is an x-ray.

“If you don’t get an appointment time it’s £3.10 to park. What about people who can’t afford that?”

A spokesman for the Mid and South Essex Hospitals Trust said: “Patients referred by their GP for x-rays are being offered alternative appointments at both Basildon and Southend Hospitals, as well as Billericay or Brentwood.

“The previous x-ray machine is unable to be repaired, due to the manufacturer no longer makes parts that allow us to repair it.

“A new brand x-ray machine will be coming to Canvey at Paddocks Primary Care Centre in the next 12 to 18 months.”