A petition has been launched by a councillor calling for X-ray services to return to Hinckley .

The facilities at Hinckley and District Hospital were closed after the old equipment became unsafe to use.

Lib Dem Hinckley and Bosworth Borough councillor Michael Mullaney started the petition.

He said: “The X-ray facilities in Hinckley are a well used facility. Over 8,700 people used them last year, that’s over 160 a week.

“Many people who use the service are elderly and infirm. They are now being told they may have to go to Coalville or Glenfield to get their X-rays.

X-ray of hands. Picture: Getty/Nick Veasey.

“Often they don’t drive so will be expected to get to their X-ray by taxi or using bus services that have been heavily cut back in recent years.

“After years of underfunding of our local NHS it’s appalling that the X-ray facilities at Hinckley’s Mount Road hospital are now considered too dangerous to use and we have lost this essential service.”

An NHS boss for the area revealed that the X-ray machines, which were 27 years old, were jamming up and endangering staff.

Helen Mather, director of LLR (Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland) Alliance, spoke at a health scrutiny committee meeting at Leicestershire County Council.

Managers tried to keep the unit going until the Hinckley Health Centre is kitted out with an X-ray unit, importing kit from around the world to sustain the service.

She said: “We were hoping it would survive until we got the new build. That has not happened.”

The health centre, which neighbours the hospital, is set to be refurbished with an X-Ray/Ultrasound department as part of an £8 million revamp of health services in the town.

Hinckley and District Hospital in Mount Road. Picture: Google Street View

Coun Mullaney said: “It’s time the Tory government delivered on its promises to deliver better NHS services.

“We have great NHS staff who do an amazing job but why have other towns got walk-in centres, A and E facilities and Hinckley keeps missing out?

“Back in 2013 there were proposals to close Hinckley’s Ambulance station on Elizabeth Road a campaign by local residents and myself helped save it.

“Let’s now get these vital X-ray services back in the town.”

The petition is on the Bosworth Liberal Democrats website and you can get a paper copy by calling 07576 289910.