The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
New locum is just a ‘sticking plaster’ claim
The hiring of a new temporary oncologist at NHS Tayside has been branded a “sticking plaster” until a full public inquiry is called into the region’s breast cancer scandal.
Local politicians described the drafting in of a locum doctor as “further evidence that the service is in collapse”.
A feature-length documentary by The Courier released this week revealed fresh details and allegations of a cover-up at the health board.
NHS Tayside confirmed it has recruited a locum oncologist.
It refused to say how much the temporary staff member is being paid.
Our investigation uncovered a memo shared among board members and senior officials setting out the scale of the recruitment crisis.
Reputational damage, coupled with a national shortage of specialists, has made it difficult for NHS Tayside to hire new staff .
This follows an exodus of breast cancer consultants in the wake of the chemotherapy scandal.
The note describes how “enhanced advertising with a dedicated website” was set up to recruit four new clinical oncologists and two medical oncologists.
The website received 349 visits over a four-week period but was closed in June without a single application being received.
Around the same time, it was revealed just four candidates had been interviewed over two years to fill roles in the department.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf confirmed bosses had been forced to look as far as Canada in a bid to recruit new staff.
Scottish Conservative public health spokeswoman Tess White criticised Nicola Sturgeon for her comments on Thursday insisting the service had not collapsed, despite it operating for several months without a single oncologist.
Ms White insisted the only way to rebuild the service is for the first minister to order a public inquiry into the scandal.
She said: “This painful, drawn-out search for answers has undeniably hampered the public’s perception of Tayside oncology.
“It has left behind a kind of professional awkwardness as a deterrent.
“It was a nonsense for Nicola Sturgeon to suggest there is no harm being done here.
“Unless there’s a solution to the long-term recruitment crisis, women will keep getting sent to other health boards.
“One locum for the whole of Tayside is just a sticking plaster.
“This service will only get back on its feet when the people of Tayside, the families and specialists get the public inquiry they deserve.”
NHS Tayside medical director Dr Pamela Johnston described the hiring of the locum oncologist as the “first welcome step” in rebuilding the service.