Scotland has worst shortage of oncologists in UK

Responding to two new reports from the Royal College of Radiologists, which warn that cancer patients in Scotland are facing dangerous delays to life-saving scans and treatment and Scotland has the worst shortage of clinical oncologists of any UK nation, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

“These are among the most damning reports into medical care in Scotland that I have ever read.

“This is a matter of life and death, with early intervention being crucial to chances of survival.

“The government’s cancer strategy risks becoming meaningless to everyone suffering these long waits.

“What's more, access to screening programmes, diagnosis and treatment is especially bad in rural areas. To ensure patients receive early intervention, it is vital that the government stamp out this postcode lottery.

“We need serious investment in both diagnostics and staff now. The Health Secretary needs to pull out all the stops and prove that things can get better on his watch. Staff and patients are tired of being continually failed by a government that can’t match its words with action."