Explosive evidence piles on pressure for NHS Tayside inquiry

Nicola Sturgeon is facing fresh calls to launch an inquiry into the breast cancer scandal in Tayside after an investigation by The Courier revealed new evidence and claims of a cover-up.

Our explosive documentary lifts the lid on a crisis that has affected the lives of hundreds of women and countless people across the region.

In a series of exclusive video interviews, we hear for the first time from those at the heart of a saga which has dogged services for years.

We explore the lack of evidence around government claims that women were put at a specific increased risk of their cancer returning.

And we reveal how senior officials missed repeated warnings that botched reports risked collapsing a once highly-respected breast cancer department.

Our feature-length documentary hears claims that:

• Women were put in danger by a mandate to give stronger treatment to all patients – even those who could not tolerate it.

• “All” of NHS Tayside’s medical management team privately acknowledged flaws in government claims around risk.

• Those who attempted to raise the alarm were ignored or “silenced”.

• NHS Tayside tried to suppress statements in support of the doctors.

It has been more than three and a half years since we first learned that nearly 200 breast cancer patients in Tayside were given lower doses of chemotherapy drugs by their doctors.

The consultants say they reduced the amount to lessen harmful side-effects of a treatment they argue was “unacceptably toxic” at the stronger dose.

But governmentcommissioned reports made the bombshell claim that the change will see around one woman every year have their cancer come back unnecessarily.

The fall-out from that claim has seen the breast cancer service in Dundee collapse and some patients forced to travel to other health boards for treatment.

Meanwhile, the reputational damage to NHS Tayside has made it even more difficult to recruit new staff in the midst of a national shortage of specialists.

Speaking publicly for the first time, Dr Douglas Adamson, a former consultant radiotherapist and oncologist at NHS Tayside, accused officials of orchestrating a “political stitch-up” against the doctors.

He said the 1-2% increased risk claim was made only to “shore up” an earlier report by Healthcare Improvement Scotland that had no oncologists on the investigating panel.

“We couldn’t believe that such important claims, in terms of potential distress for patients, were being made with not one academic reference being quoted,” he said.

“Clearly it was very much opinion. It was certain people’s opinion about the treatment, but it wasn’t backed up by scientific fact.

“And there aren’t any data to support saying that there’s an increased recurrence rate between 100mg of docetaxel and 7580mg of docetaxel. “These data do not exist. “But clearly the figure was made up. The 1 to 2% risk figure was made up.”

The man who first raised questions about the treatment, former lead cancer pharmacist Mark Parsons, has also waived anonymity to speak for the first time. The whistleblower also puts no faith in the 1-2% increased risk figure and says it should be ignored by patients and families.

He said: “Good guess. It’s a guess. My opinion personally is probably more like 4% because the two most efficacious drugs were significantly reduced.

“Nobody knows what the implication is.”

Mr Parsons was asked whether that means, in his professional view, patients should disregard claims the treatment had no effect and also the 1-2% figure.

He said: “Yeah, we don’t know.”

North East MSP Michael Marra said: “The central claim of risk to life that sits at the heart of the government’s own report remains without scientific basis and is dismissed by the original whistleblower.

“That should be cause enough for the health secretary to act. Failure to do so will only add to the explosive claims of a political stitch-up designed to defend government interests ahead of the women of Tayside.

“Without an inquiry, we will never rebuild the service at Ninewells.

“The failed efforts of the cabinet secretary for health and leadership of NHS Tayside to recruit new consultant staff tells us that without the stench being cleansed from this affair, no progress will be made.

“I have raised this issue with ministers many times and have been met with denial and bluster.

“This devastating piece of reporting is the end of the road for the SNP’S excuses and smokescreens.”

The Labour MSP has repeatedly called for answers for those involved and insisted government officials must now be removed from that process.

Mr Marra added: “With these latest revelations, the case for a full inquiry is now made beyond doubt.

“Beyond commissioning it, the government should play no part.

“It must be fully independent.

“It is clear that the Scottish Government, HIS and NHS Tayside are incapable of resolving this crisis and must step aside for those who can.”

Dr Douglas Adamson, former consultant radiotherapist and oncologist, accused officials of “political stitch up”.

WHISTLEBLOWER: Former lead cancer pharmacist Mark Parsons has waived anonymity to speak for the first time.