CANVEY'S only x-ray clinic is being shut at short notice so staff can help a crisis-hit hospital meet patient demand.

Over a four month period, the unit at Canvey NHS Outpatients Centre, in Long Road, Canvey, was closed 15 times.

Southend Hospital, which runs the centre, said specialist radiology staff were often needed to help out at its main site, off Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff.

Islanders fear the x-ray clinic could shut completely because of the ongoing staffing problems.

Jayne Malcolm, 74, of Elm Road, Canvey was sent to Southend Hospital- more than 10 miles away- for her appointment while the unit was closed.

She said: "I have to go for regular x-rays as I have a problem with my back and if it turns out to be serious I could be going for regular x-rays.

“I have spoken to other people on Canvey who are concerned as they feel they would not be able to get to another unit or hospital off the island due to transport problems."

Southend Hospital has been on black alert over recent weeks and even declared a critical incident because it did not have enough beds for patients coming through its doors.

Ray Howard, veteran Tory councillor for Canvey West, said he would lead a battle against the unit's closure if plans emerged.

He said: “The x-ray unit at the Outpatients Centre is so well used by the people of Canvey.

“There will be a lot of problems if the x-ray unit does shut down because there are so many people who rely on the service.”

Dave Blackwell, Canvey Independents Party councillor for Canvey Central, is a member of the NHS scrutiny board at Essex County Council.

He added: “There have been rumours about a potential closure of the unit.

“It would seem like madness to me to close down a unit that is meant to take pressure off the hospital.

“I think there would be an outcry if the x-ray unit was to close down.

Hospital bosses insist there are no plans to shut the clinic.

Michael Catling, associate director of diagnostic and therapeutic, said some of the day closures were because of maintenance to essential equipment, as well as staffing issues.

He said: “There are no current plans for the x-ray unit at the Canvey Outpatients Centre to close, however we have unfortunately been unable to operate the Canvey x-ray service on some occasions recently.

"This has resulted in the Canvey service being closed on 15 days from the beginning of February to the end of May for essential equipment maintenance and to move staff to ensure that we can provide the right staffing to support acute clinical services at the Hospital site.

"Radiology is one of the hard to recruit areas nationally but we have had recent success in recruiting more people to this area.

"We do expect this to improve over the summer. ”