‘There should never be a postcode lottery for cancer treatment’: Lennon

Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Monica Lennon said cancer patients should never again be subjected to a “postcode lottery” when it comes to their care.

Ms Lennon insisted women in Tayside had been “badly let down” by the decision to provide lower than standard chemotherapy doses and welcomed the overhaul of cancer services across Scotland.

“There should never be a postcode lottery when it comes to receiving cancer treatment in Scotland,” she said.

“Ensuring consistency of treatment across Scotland will provide some much needed reassurance to women receiving treatment in Tayside now and in the future.

“It’s now up to Jeane Freeman to get a grip on the deep-rooted challenges facing NHS Tayside and make sure that the recommendations of this report are implemented quickly and in full – as well as providing the necessary resources to make this happen.”

Lee Dennis, who set up the NHS Tayside Cancer Care Support Group for patients and families affected by the revelations, said the review group had “extensively considered potentially positive amendments to regional cancer care delivery”.

Ms Dennis “noted with gratitude” that support will continue to be provided but warned some still face lingering concerns.

“There is little consolation for patients who were treated during the time period under review, and their families,” she said.

“The fear and uncertainty will always remain for some, who may not have had the optimal treatment for their body.

“The silver lining is that, going forward, cancer patients in Scotland will hopefully receive cohesive, world class treatment, regardless of where they live.”

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Miles Briggs confirmed he will be writing to the health secretary to “ensure that the recommendations are implemented”.

He said: “There’s clearly a major problem within NHS Tayside, and these experts are fearful it may even be more widespread.

“The fear and uncertainty will always remain for some, who may not have had the optimal treatment for their body. MONICA LENNON, SCOTTISH LABOUR HEALTH SPOKESWOMAN

“The fact so many recommendations have been made shows the extent of these failings. Health Secretary Jeane Freeman must enact all of these, and I’ll be writing to her to ensure she does.

“Major errors like these simply should not occur in a modern NHS, and it’s critical they are not repeated.”

Picture: Jason Hedges. Miles Briggs.