Cancer patients had vital bone scans cancelled at Inverclyde Royal due to an equipment fault

Health bosses have admitted that the bone density scanner was out of action for the past two weeks.

As a result six clinics were cancelled and numerous people had their scans postponed.

The Tele was alerted to the situation by concerned patients who were awaiting scans.

One of the patients, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "I was due to get a scan because I have cancer and it could spread to my bones.

"But my appointment was cancelled because the machine was broken.

"You think that in this day and age the machine would be fixed quicker."

After our enquiries, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde released a statement confirming that the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan had broken down.

But bosses reassured patients that the device has now been fixed.

A spokesperson said: "Unfortunately our diagnostic equipment can develop faults and the dexa scanner at Inverclyde Royal Hospital had developed intermittent faults for the last couple of weeks which resulted in us having to take it out of use.

"Engineers were called to rectify the issues but it required a part which took a few days to source.

"The part arrived and was fitted on Wednesday and the engineers were on site on Thursday morning to ensure that the scanner is fully operational again and available for patients."

The machine scans are used to measure bone density and assess the risk of bone fractures.

They're also often used to help diagnose bone-related conditions, such as osteoporosis, or assess the risk of developing them.

The health board statement added: "We would like to apologise to those patients who had their scan postponed.

"Those patients affected will be rescheduled as soon as possible."