The X-ray machine at Chippenham Community Hospital has broken down and a replacement will not be arranged for three months.

The 18-year-old machine suffered problems three weeks ago and has to be replaced.

Patients now have to arrange an appointment with a mobile machine or use the walk-in service at Trowbridge or Royal United Hospital, Bath.

Barbara Gale, from Sherston, who has been waiting for an X-ray for a non-urgent condition, said: “I really am quite upset by it. I have been waiting for an X-ray and this week I received a letter from the RUH saying I have to go to their walk-in service.

“You could end up waiting there all day – especially now you have all the people who would have used Chippenham. They are going to be swamped.”

Elizabeth Sexton, chairman of he hospital’s League of Friends, said: “We are very concerned about because it has now been going on for a little while.

“We have had quite a few patients calling to speak to us about it. With all of the pieces of equipment we buy for the hospital, it is about making them available for people in Chippenham without going to Bath or Swindon. We are concerned – three months is a long time.”

A spokesman for the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, said: “The X-ray machine at Chippenham Community Hospital broke down earlier this month (February) and, due to its age, a repair has not been possible.

“A new X-ray machine is being sourced for the hospital but, because of the type of equipment needed, it will take up to 12 weeks to get it in place.

“In the meantime we are looking at providing a mobile X-ray machine to accommodate the vast majority of patients seen at the hospital.

“Patients can attend Trowbridge hospital, which offers a walk-in X-ray service for people who have suffered a minor injury between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. There is also a walk-in X-ray facility at the Royal United Hospital in Bath.”

Guangzhou Jia Yu medical equipment Limited