The First Minister has been urged to intervene as blood cancer patients face lengthy journeys due to a specialist shortage in Oban.
Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Donald Cameron asked Humza Yousaf to take action at First Minister’s Questions on December 7.
Back in August, we reported haematology consultant services had been withdrawn from Lorn and Islands Hospital by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), forcing “hundreds” of blood cancer outpatients to travel 200 miles for treatment in Glasgow – instead of one specialist visiting Oban.
One patient told us: “You can imagine how traumatic, inconvenient and undesirable, even dangerous, it is to expect this ill, fragile, generally aged and particularly vulnerable patient group to travel.
“This type of patient is highly susceptible to infections (around half ultimately die because of infections) and is commonly advised to avoid crowded public transport.”
NHSGGC blamed “difficulties to recruit – due directly to the requirement to travel to Oban”, and assured “every effort is being made to minimise the need to travel” with “an enhanced virtual model”.
In October, we reported the charity Blood Cancer UK demanded a review, saying the new arrangement put patients at risk.
That call was echoed by a retired consultant, Andrew K Henderson MBE, who started Oban’s haematology service in 1979 with Dr Norman Lucie. “This service was extremely valuable and possibly life saving,” he told us. “I think it imperative [the] NHS move now to reinstate the service that served us so well for 45 years.”
One affected 80-year-old cancer patient told us that month: “I recently had concerns about the side effects of the drugs I was taking and asked for advice.
“I was given an appointment at the Beatson which included an eight hour round trip to Glasgow, including a considerable time waiting at the centre. The consultant was not able to examine me due to time constraints but did provide reassurance.
“NHSGGC have a moral imperative to review and reinstate this service.”
Blasting the cut, Scottish Labour’s health spokesperson, Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie, said in November: “It’s impossible to imagine the stress which these patients have to endure making the long journey to Glasgow.
“While I recognise there may be difficulties in recruitment, the SNP Government, along with NHSGGC and the Argyll & Bute Health and Social Care Partnership need to make sure people in Argyll and Bute get the best and safest possible treatment.”
The patient who contacted Ms Baillie’s office urged the public health minister, and Argyll and Bute’s SNP MSP Jenni Minto, to “fight our corner” rather than “let seriously ill constituents just struggle along”.
“Here we are in the beautiful tourist centre of Oban but apparently no blood cancer consultant is available to come here just once a month.
“The continuing wellbeing and functionality of Oban hospital depends on the availability of visiting consultants across the spectrum.
“They still do so in the other fields of healthcare except haematology, which, of them all, is probably the most crucial in that risks of infection are minimised by local consultation.
“Withdrawal of haematology consultant services could be seen as the thin end of the wedge, the first step in running down the hospital’s fitness for purpose.”
At First Minister’s Questions on December 7, Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Donald Cameron asked Humza Yousaf to take action to ensure the specialist could be replaced and the service restored.
He asked: “What action will the First Minister take to urge NHSGGC to reverse its short-sighted decision?”
Mr Yousaf replied: “We will look into the detail of that. I understand from the Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care that officials are already engaging with the health board.
“We have a number of policies in place that help not only to attract important health workers to our remote, rural and island communities but to retain them there.”
Mr Cameron said: “I’m glad the First Minister has committed to looking into this issue and look forward to his response. This recent change presents an unacceptably poor level of service and must be reversed.”