Staff who carry out crucial diagnostic scans at St Albans City Hospital fear pay cuts and extra hours as health chiefs discuss changes to ensure the service is available 24/7.

The move by West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust has been slammed by senior St Albans politicians who said they're "horrified" radiographers are worried about what effect the changes will have on their lives.

Radiographers at St Albans, Watford and Hemel Hempstead hospitals will be hit by the changes due to be brought in by the trust in October.

Kerry Pollard, Labour's prospective Parliamentary candidate for St Albans, has voiced his concerns to Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham after "several radiographers" contacted him with their fears.

He said: "I am horrified to hear that radiographers at our hospitals are fearful about the effect on their lives of having to work long and extended hours with no extra money and only the promise of time off in lieu.

"I have been told that some staff working for a neighbouring trust, which has already brought in 24/7 shift working and increased hours, have been forced to sell their cars and even move house because of a drop in salary."

Mr Pollard continued: "These key staff help doctors to diagnose a patient’s illness or injury.

"The scans they perform can identify, for example, various cancers or brain tumours as well as fractures and other injuries or illnesses.

"The radiographer’s work the critical starting point on the road to patients’ treatment and recovery."

Dr Mike van der Watt, West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust's medical director, said the trust planned to increase the number of radiographers working at weekends and in the evening but discussions were still at an early stage.

He said: "We have seen a significant rise in the number of scans our radiographers need to undertake. These scans allow our clinicians to detect and treat a wide range of conditions, including serious head injuries and cancerous tumours.

"As a result, we are in discussion with our wider radiography team about plans to increase the number of our radiographers who work outside of normal working hours, i.e. at weekends and in the evening.

"Doing this will reduce the pressure on the radiographers who currently work outside of normal hours and, crucially, help speed up the time it takes to scan patients for what are often life-threatening conditions. This also forms part of an important national drive to increase the availability of NHS services 24/7.

"Our discussions are at an early stage and we plan to consult with affected staff before any final decisions are made, including any proposed changes to their pay and conditions. We are also liaising with our staff unions."