Latest news with #NHSTayside
The Courier
3 days ago
- Health
- The Courier
REBECCA BAIRD: NHS Tayside waiting lists could make a hypocrite out of me
We've all heard the expression 'a hill I'm willing to die on'. It's for those arguments you just won't give up on, no matter the personal cost. I always thought universal free healthcare through the NHS was a hill I was willing to die on. But here's the thing – you only get one body. And when it comes to declining health, there's no extra time, no saved checkpoint from which to respawn. There's only that body getting more and more damaged by illness as it waits for help. In Dundee, Perthshire and Angus, NHS Tayside patients are waiting far too long for desperately needed treatment. I am one of them. I am currently 14 months into a 24-month waiting list for endometriosis investigation. My first appointment to discuss my chronic – often debilitating – pain with my GP was in 2022. Over the last three years, I have been comparatively lucky. I've been listened to (eventually) by doctors, I've been given medication to help manage symptoms, and I've been put on the referral list for specialist investigation. Unfortunately, I've also gained weight as a result of the medication, which makes me less eligible for the surgery I suspect I'll need once I get to the top of that list. The lingering fatigue and pain levels make consistent exercise difficult, which will make losing this weight more challenging than it would have been a few years ago. And already, in the time it will theoretically take to get help, the decline of my health has become a bit of a downward spiral. I'm not alone – just last month, The Courier revealed the shocking extent of gynae waiting lists in Dundee and Angus. In Fife, heart patients are waiting more than two years for care. And five-year waiting lists for childhood ADHD diagnoses have pushed some Tayside parents to the brink. For some people in our communities, 'dying on the hill' of NHS loyalty means literally dying. So I completely understand why hundreds of local NHS patients are opting to pay thousands of pounds for private healthcare, rather than watch their health worsen while they wait. I admit I've thought about it seriously a few times in the past three years. But what sticks in my craw is the idea that by going private, I'd be contributing to the very two-tier system I hate so much. I can't help but think that if all those who could opted for private healthcare, it wouldn't magically free up NHS resources; it would be an excuse for governments to cut them further. And what about those for whom private healthcare is simply not an option? Do we really want to buy into a system like the US, where the poor struggle for access to decent healthcare? Disease does not discriminate, but money talks. If we want the powers that be to be responsible for national health, we can't let them off the hook by each paying someone else to look after our own. Future generations deserve the access to the free-at-point-of-use healthcare that we've all enjoyed until now. But that's easy for me to say; I'm not staring down the barrel of a life-threatening illness. Yet. The truth is, I'm not saying I'll never opt for private healthcare, if I need it and can afford it. Turns out I'd rather be alive and a hypocrite than dead and principled. But for as long as I can, I'm going to make my health the NHS's problem. It might be the best way to keep it in business.
STV News
10-07-2025
- General
- STV News
Couple tie knot at hospital after groom in life-changing motorbike accident
A couple tied the knot in a hospital in Dundee after the groom was involved in a life-changing motorcycle accident. Roddy and Polly McDonald were married in front of friends and family at the Ninewells Hospital chapel on June 7. Roddy was a patient at the Major Trauma Centre at the time of the wedding after being involved in a motorcycle crash that left him with a number of serious injuries, including double breaks to his arm and leg and a fractured spine. The couple were originally due to get married in Dundee on the same date in front of close family and friends who had travelled from across the UK and as far away as Australia and New Zealand. NHS Tayside Roddy was a patient at the Major Trauma Centre at the time of the wedding. Due to the seriousness of Roddy's injuries, the couple were forced to change their original plans. Staff from the Major Trauma Centre and the Spiritual Care team helped Roddy and Polly arrange a wedding in the hospital chapel. The newlywed has since left Ninewells Hospital and is recovering at home in Perthshire. Roddy said: The whole experience really was incredible. The hospital staff were outstanding, every single one of them went above and beyond to help us. 'We postponed the wedding after the accident as there was no way that we were going to be able to do it the way we planned but then someone mentioned that there was a chapel in the hospital and that we could get married there. We had so many of our friends and family here and we just took the opportunity to go for it. It was very special, Polly looked beautiful in her dress and I even managed to wear my kilt. 'I am very grateful to everyone who helped us. The care, the banter, the compassion shown by everyone was exceptional. I know that I have a long road ahead in recovery but I am a positive person and I will keep going forward. I know that I am very lucky to be alive and I am so happy that I got to marry my beautiful wife on the date we originally planned.' Polly added: 'It was a really beautiful ceremony, it was obviously different to what we had planned, but I was so grateful that we were able to do it. Everyone was so emotional. Roddy is my absolute soulmate, and ours is a real love story. NHS Tayside Due to the seriousness of Roddy's injuries, the couple were forced to change their original plans. 'It really was wonderful, I feel like we've beaten the odds. At one point, I really thought I was going to lose him so to be able to marry him on the day we had planned was really special. 'All of the staff we came across were just incredible, from the consultants to nurses to the physios to the domestic staff, everyone has been lovely and were so supportive. The nurses in the Major Trauma Centre even decorated Roddy's bed with Just Married balloons when we got back to the ward. We are so grateful for everything they did for us.' East of Scotland Major Trauma Network manager, Fiona Hutcheson, said it was 'privilege' to support the couple during their special day. She said: 'Everyone in the team would like to extend our congratulations and well wishes to Roddy and Polly. 'We were privileged to support Roddy and his family during his time in hospital and were delighted to help him and his new wife have their special day. 'We wish Roddy the best in his recovery and wish the happy couple lots of happiness together as they begin married life.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Courier
24-06-2025
- Health
- The Courier
Eljamel inquiry's lead solicitor quits before hearings begin
The lead solicitor for the public inquiry into disgraced NHS Tayside neurosurgeon Sam Eljamel has quit her role. Bosses confirmed to patients that Ciara Pang had exited her post even though hearings for the probe have not yet formally begun. It's understood Lord Weir, who is chairing the inquiry, had been aware well in advance Ms Pang was leaving and the search for her replacement is under way. In an email to Eljamel's patients, assistant solicitor Lynn Carey said: 'Our current solicitor, Ciara Pang, who has been your main point of contact until now, is moving on from the inquiry. 'The inquiry is in the process of filling this key post. 'We will notify you as soon as possible to provide details of who has been appointed as our new solicitor to the inquiry. 'The inquiry wishes to reassure you that the work of the inquiry continues in the meantime.' Ms Carey said he would act as the main point of contact for any patients who had legal queries in the meantime. Ms Pang previously worked as deputy solicitor for the inquiry into the circumstances of Sheku Bayou's death in police custody in Kirkcaldy. Last October, Lord Weir said Ms Pang's 'in-depth experience' had already been 'invaluable' to him. 'I have no doubt that she will contribute greatly to the effective functioning of this Inquiry and the many legal issues to which it will inevitably give rise,' he added. Sources stressed it is not unusual for some staff working on a public inquiry team to leave their roles while the process remains ongoing. But Jules Rose, a Kinross campaigner harmed by Eljamel, said she has concerns over Ms Pang's departure. 'It's deeply concerning to learn that such an influential figure has stepped away from the inquiry at this critical stage,' she said. 'Once again, we're back on the merry-go-round. 'We need clear assurances this won't derail the progress of a much-needed inquiry. 'Yet again, there are more questions than answers.' The Eljamel inquiry was ordered by the Scottish Government after extensive demands from campaigners in September 2023. The rogue doctor harmed hundreds of patients while he was employed by NHS Tayside between 1995 and 2013. In April, we revealed Dundee DJ Pat Kelly – another Eljamel victim – was boycotting the inquiry because he fears key institutions will not be interrogated. Jamie Dawson KC, the top lawyer who grilled Nicola Sturgeon during the Covid inquiry, is the investigation's senior counsel. A spokesperson for the Eljamel inquiry said: 'The Eljamel inquiry is in the process of filling the post of Solicitor to the Inquiry, and expects to do so in early course. 'Once appointed, we will provide an update to stakeholders. 'The inquiry is continuing to gather evidence and work towards hearings. 'Lord Weir has thanked Ciara for her contribution.'
The Courier
13-06-2025
- Health
- The Courier
EXCLUSIVE: Emergency warning as NHS Tayside prostate cancer patients wait 218 days for treatment
Men in Tayside are facing agonising delays of more than seven months between being referred with suspected prostate cancer and starting treatment, The Courier can reveal. New figures show that two men who eventually received treatment in 2024 each waited 218 days — more than 30 weeks — from referral to the first step in their care. The official target for cancer care in Scotland is that 95% of patients referred with an urgent suspicion of cancer should begin treatment within 62 days. But in the first quarter of last year, just 17.6% of prostate cancer patients in NHS Tayside were treated on time. While that figure improved slightly to 36.2% in the summer months, it deteriorated again to 22.6% in the final quarter. Median waits reached 90 days between October and December – a full month beyond the national standard. The data, released under Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation, covers only those patients who went on to be treated – meaning those still waiting or never treated at all are not counted. The health board's performance is among the worst in Scotland and comes amid renewed focus on prostate cancer following the revelation that Sir Chris Hoy, the six-time Olympic gold medallist, is receiving treatment for the disease. Sir Chris, 49, went public with his terminal prostate cancer diagnosis last year, after learning of his condition 'completely out of the blue' in September 2023. He said the experience was 'a huge shock' and has since urged men not to delay getting tested. 'One simple check really can save lives,' he said. The impact of his message was immediate. NHS England reported a 672% increase in traffic to its prostate cancer symptom pages following his announcement. Yet in Tayside, the data suggests patients are still being let down. Labour MSP Michael Marra, who obtained the figures, described the delays as 'horrific'. 'They lay bare the life-threatening reality of this core cancer service under the SNP,' he said. 'Imagine being told you may well have prostate cancer, but you have to wait until the middle of January next year for an appointment. 'That is the reality for patients and families across Tayside, with waits of up to 218 days. 'The collapse of this service will mean months of anxious waits and lives lost that could have been saved with timely treatment. 'Constituents are contacting me telling of having to go private at great expense to have vital prostate surgery.' Last year, we reported that NHS Tayside met the 62-day target in just 60% of all cancer cases — below the national average of 73.5%, and far below the 95% standard. For urological cancers, the national figure was just 49%. In a statement, NHS Tayside acknowledged that urology is its most challenged cancer specialty, citing long-standing workforce shortages. 'We recognise that waiting times are longer than we would like and understand this is distressing,' an NHS spokesperson said. 'We've recently appointed a new urology consultant and developed a cancer improvement plan, including more specialist nurses, expanded training, and new diagnostic equipment.' Health Secretary Neil Gray said the Scottish Government was investing an additional £14 million to tackle cancer waiting times, with urology a key priority. He said the funding would support over 150,000 extra appointments and procedures in 2025–26. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Scotland, with around 4,300 new cases diagnosed each year, according to Prostate Cancer UK. Risk increases with age, and men with a family history are at higher risk. It is less common in men under 50 but can be aggressive when it does occur. Last month, Sir Chris shared a positive update. 'I'm doing well,' he said. 'Most importantly, cancer's not the first thing I think about when I go to bed at night.' You can track cancer waiting times in NHS Tayside here.
The Courier
10-06-2025
- Health
- The Courier
EXCLUSIVE: NHS Tayside records more than 1,200 data breaches in five years
NHS Tayside logged more than 1,200 data breaches in five years as the health board comes under fire again for poor handling of patient records, The Courier can reveal. The full number follows a series of high profile leaks which angered patients and staff. Former patient Alan Ogilvie, who obtained the new figures through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, said it is 'one symptom of a deeper failure'. He said: 'The lack of accountability utterly erodes any shred of trust patients could have. 'How can patients ever trust NHS Tayside with their most sensitive information?' Mr Ogilvie was among 132 victims of disgraced ex-Dundee doctor Sam Eljamel who received an apology in January after their personal details were leaked. Last year, The Courier detailed seven separate data breaches which spanned a two-year period. In August 2023, a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet containing sensitive information about NHS Tayside staff was shared in error with another team. Just weeks later paperwork for hundreds of patients were missing. Perthshire woman Amanda Flood has now been victim to three data breaches. On two occasions a health board employee snooped on her personal files, while last October she received a letter saying her details had mistakenly been sent to a patient. In February 2024, NHS workers lost documents with personal details about primary-one pupils in Broughty Ferry. And in December last year Tayside chiefs launched an internal review after the data of 125 patients was released by mistake. The new details show 381 errors were flagged internally in 2023-24, by far the highest total across an eight-year period. There were 272 breaches in 2022-23, after 246 were logged in 2021-22. Between 2019 and 2024, 33 of these were deemed serious enough to be sent on to Scotland's Information Commissioner. The figures also show 13% of staff currently working at the heart board are yet to complete mandatory training for handling data. Meanwhile, NHS Tayside said 14,165 staff were up to date with data courses as of March this year – which leaves 1,800 staff lagging behind. In June 2019, 69% of staff were compliant with the compulsory data training. NHS Tayside notes new data protection laws – GDPR – came into force in May 2018, and says this 'will have impacted on the reporting and compliance figures'. Mr Ogilvie's Freedom of Information request found the total number of data breaches since 2016. The Eljamel patient previously won a complaint against NHS Tayside after waiting more than four months when he asked for the health board to hand over his personal data. 'It's frankly astonishing that a former patient like myself has had to make formal complaints and conduct a detailed FOI investigation,' he said. 'This is a stark revelation of systemic ignorance and a profound failure of governance.' An NHS Tayside spokesperson said information security is taken very seriously. 'All staff are required to undertake mandatory training in safe information handling and NHS Tayside has a suite of information governance policies for staff to follow, including a data protection policy,' the spokesperson said. 'Currently the majority, 87%, of NHS Tayside staff have completed the safe information handling training. 'All NHS Tayside staff are actively encouraged to report data breaches, no matter how small, through the Datix incident reporting system. 'All breaches of data protection are recorded and investigated within NHS Tayside and, where appropriate, are reported to the Information Commissioner's Office. 'A learning review is ongoing to evaluate systems and processes currently in place and identify actions to further improve data security across NHS Tayside.'
