A health board has been ordered to improve treatment after it was revealed breast cancer patients were given a lower dose of chemotherapy drugs than in the rest of Scotland.
The breast oncology consultant covering Tayside used smaller doses of some drugs, with a report from Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) confirming patients were not informed about this difference.
NHS Tayside said dosages were lowered to reduce side-effects and insists the risks to the 304 patients involved were very small.
A report by HIS, commissioned by the Scottish Government and published yesterday, found NHS Tayside’s approach to dealing with breast cancer was at odds with other breast cancer centres.
Last night, the Scottish Government told the health board to make changes in clinical practice with “immediate effect”.
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Tory health spokesman Miles Briggs claimed the issue was raised a year ago. He said: “We need to make sure that patients across Tayside receive the best possible treatment and care and for NHS staff to be able to speak out about any concerns and know that they are valued.”
Acting medical director of NHS Tayside Professor Peter Stonebridge said the health board was “very sorry” for distress caused to patients.
He added that they had been advised that the risk of any negative impact from the change in chemotherapy was very small.
He said: “However, patient safety is always our number one priority and that is why we have taken action to rapidly change our approach to breast cancer chemotherapy, ensuring it is in line with practice across the rest of Scotland.”
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A joint statement by the chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood and chief pharmaceutical officer Dr Rose Marie Parr said: “It is important to stress that the risk of a negative impact on the health of anyone treated for breast cancer in NHS Tayside since 2016 is very small.”
Gregor McNie, of Cancer Research UK, said: “Each cancer patient should have access to the best, evidence-based treatment for their condition, no matter where they live.”
