PATIENTS waiting for appointments for X-rays have had them postponed and others face delays because of planned strike action by radiographers.

Health boards say contingency plans will be put in place as members of the Society of Radiographers down tools for four hours on Monday morning in protest at an ongoing pay freeze.

They will also continue a work-to-rule for the remainder of the week, spelling further disruption for Scotland's hospitals.

NHS Tayside said non-urgent referrals at Kings Cross Hospital will be unavailable from 9am to 1pm on Monday, with patients in afternoon slots being told to expect delays.

A spokesman for the health board said: "An emergency X-ray service will still be in place across Tayside sites during this period and many areas will be operating a business-as-usual service.

"NHS Tayside apologises for any inconvenience this may cause patients."

A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said that officials are working closely with the society to "minimise the impact of strike action".

She said: "We have contingency plans in place to ensure that all emergency elements of this service are provided. We will do our utmost to ensure patients are seen in a timely manner during this period of disruption and any appointments postponed as a result of the action will be rescheduled as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, NHS Lanarkshire said it expects no disruption to services as only a small number of its radiographers are striking.

Richard Evans, chief executive officer for the Society of Radiographers, said: "Radiographers will try and keep the effect on patients to a minimum but radiographers and other healthcare workers have got to the stage where they feel there is no alternative. Because of inflation, staff in the NHS have been taking a year-on-year pay cut. Unless we show the government that we are serious about our claim that NHS staff should be treated fairly, they will continue to take advantage of our goodwill."