An independent review into a breast cancer scandal has made 19 recommendations to ensure it never happens again.
In April, NHS Tayside was ordered to improve treatment immediately after it was revealed breast cancer patients were given a lower dose of chemotherapy drugs than in the rest of Scotland.
Patients were not informed.
NHS Tayside said dosages were lowered to reduce side effects and insisted the risks to the 304 patients involved were very small.
But the approach was at odds with other breast cancer centres.
And yesterday, an independent advisory group chaired by Professor Aileen Keel, set up to probe the controversy, made recommendations to help ensure there was a consistent approach to treatment throughout the country.
The report stated: “There was support for the development of a truly national chemotherapy prescribing administration system capable of identifying the extent of variation in systemic anti-cancer therapy prescribing across the country.
“Had such a system been in place, the variation in NHS Tayside practice could have been identified quickly.”
Recommendations included:
● Patients should be explicitly informed if there was any variance in generally accepted standards of treatment.
● All health boards must adopt a standardised approach to consent.
● A group to be created to ensure the implementation of all the recommendations.
● Sufficient resources provided to regional cancer networks to ensure all recommendations are delivered in full.
Labour’s health spokeswoman Monica Lennon said: “Breast cancer patients and their families have been badly let down, so this decision to overhaul cancer treatment and guidance is welcome.
“There should never be a postcode lottery when it comes to receiving cancer treatment in Scotland.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood confirmed the Government would be adopting all of the recommendations.
She said: “The Health Secretary has welcomed these recommendations and in adopting them, we will help ensure that cancer patients across Scotland have access to the same high level of care and treatment, regardless of where they live.
NHS Tayside also welcomed the new approach and insisted it was continuing to support patients and families previously affected.
