The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Recruitment drive for NHS doctors goes global
RADIOLOGY: Tayside and Fife boards coaxing staff from abroad to fill posts
Health boards have launched a bid to tackle doctor shortages by coaxing them over from abroad.
Tayside and Fife are among those areas which have struggled to fill radiologist posts.
A lack of the medical imaging experts can lead to longer waiting times for patients.
Nine boards are looking to fill 32 vacancies by advertising in Western Europe, India, Australia, the USA and Canada.
There are 10 consultant vacancies in clinical radiology in Tayside and Fife, the vast majority of which are in the kingdom.
The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) welcomed what it described as a “much-needed international drive to boost radiologist numbers”.
The recruitment drive would increase the number of consultant grade radiologists in post by 10%.
Health boards are also investing £4m in a radiology transformation programme to improve patient services, alongside increased specialist radiology training places.
Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “This recruitment campaign alongside the £4m radiology transformation programme already under way, underlines our commitment to ensure that NHS Scotland retains world-class radiology services.
“The campaign highlights the benefits of living in Scotland and working for our NHS, and it demonstrates our commitment to a vibrant, dynamic and outwardlooking health service, staffed by some of the very best clinicians from around the world.
“We are determined to recruit and retain the best and the brightest in order to deliver sustainable health services for the people of Scotland.”
Both health boards in Courier Country said they have been affected by the national shortage of radiologists and welcomed the recruitment drive.
Barbara Anne-Nelson, director of NHS Fife’s workforce, said: “We work proactively with colleagues across southeast Scotland to minimise any impact of vacancies on patients.
“Our close working relationship has allowed us to establish an innovative approach to radiology, with images taken in Fife reported on by radiologists across southeast Scotland, ensuring patients continue to be seen as locally as possible.”
A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside said: “These roles are central to the running of radiology services across Scotland and the Scottish Government campaign to increase the number of consultant grade radiologists in post by 10% is very positive.”
Janice Preston, head of Macmillan services in Scotland, hailed the move. “Radiologists are the vital cog in diagnosing people as early as possible,” she said.
“With waiting times having not been met since 2012 and the number of cancer patients constantly increasing, it is welcoming to see this recruitment drive take place.”