Highland docs warn bosses of staff crisis

SENIOR doctors at one of Scotland’s flagship hospitals have written to NHS chiefs to raise fears over its stretched radiology department.

Consultant surgeons and doctors from NHS Highland’s Department of Medicine have taken the unusual step of writing to bosses “expressing significant concerns about the problems” in radiology at Raigmore hospital.

Earlier this year the Royal College of Radiologists warned its services across all of Scotland were “on the brink of collapse” due to chronic vacancies, low trainee numbers and soaring demand.

The timing of the two letters, days before the Scottish Government conducts its annual review of NHS Highland, will put bosses under increased pressure.

As well as being responsible for scans and x-rays, radiologists carry out a number of key surgical procedures.

But NHS boards across Scotland have been failing to attract radiologists to vacancies and are increasingly reliant on the private sector to examine scan images.

The problem is most keenly felt in the Highlands and its major hospital hub Raigmore where it struggles to attract candidates because of its geographical remoteness.

Three years ago chief executive Elaine Mead filmed a YouTube video encouraging radiology staff to apply – and the problem has continued since then.

There are now only nine radiologists currently working across NHS Highland with two leaving in the last six months.

Safety fears have been getting raised internally by radiologists in Raigmore since 2014 when they had 13.

One radiologist told The Sunday Post: “These letters have been sent to the board because there is a feeling of utter despair.”

And the family of Nan Steele, a patient who was left gravely ill after a 13-hour wait for an essential brain scan in 2010, spoke of their anger that NHS Highland was still short of key staff.

Husband Gordon, 80, said: “The effects of their failure in Nan’s case was traumatic for her and all the family. How many other families will go through this until it is sorted.”

Dr Simon Barker, chair of the BMA’s Scottish Consultants Committee, said: “The Scottish Government must recognise that saying they are ‘creating posts’ does not mean they are being filled.”

Tory Highlands and Islands MSP, Donald Cameron, said: “To have consultants and physicians expressing serious concerns about the standards in the radiology department is hugely worrying.”

Labour’s health spokesman Anas Sarwar said: “Labour has been warning about the workforce crisis in our NHS for years.”

A spokeswoman for NHS Highland said: “The letters are very measured with consultant colleagues willing to work with the board to address the significant challenges.

“One of the biggest issues is that we are not able to recruit radiologists.

“The concerns raised are shared by the chief executive who has consistently been raising the matter on behalf of the board both regionally and nationally.

“The Scottish Government in partnership with NHS Highland are working to undertake a review of our local Radiology Services within NHS Highland. A draft report has recently just been completed and is being considered by colleagues.

“The Raigmore Management Team is considering all of the findings and is working on a future strategy as well as any immediate actions to improve performance and sustainability.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Ministers are conducting the annual review of NHS Highland this week, and will meet with the Area Clinical Forum to discuss these concerns, as well as other matters, as part of that process.

“We’re committed to a sustainable NHS and its workforce. Under this Government, the number of consultant clinical radiologists working in NHS Scotland have increased by 45.1% to over 324. In spite of these increases, we recognise that rising demand is putting pressure on Radiology services.”