Latest news with #NorthScotland
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Cancer care 'time-bomb' warning over doctor shortages in Scotland
Doctors have warned cancer patients in Scotland will wait longer for treatment and diagnosis unless more specialists are reports from the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) show that Scotland currently has a 25% shortage of radiologists and a 19% shortage of oncologists, with these shortfalls expected to rise by RCR described cancer care as a "ticking time bomb" and warned that a patient's risk of death can increase by 10% for every month treatment is Secretary Neil Gray told the BBC the government is "investing heavily" to recruit more oncologists and radiologists. Dr Katharine Halliday, president of the RCR, said: "Patients are being failed by a chronic lack of radiologists and oncologists."Despite the best efforts of NHS staff, there aren't enough doctors to ensure prompt, safe and effective care and the outlook is bleak."The government must train up more radiologists and oncologists to defuse this ticking time bomb for cancer diagnosis and treatment."The two RCR reports show the results of a "workforce census" of clinical radiology and clinical oncology staff in show regional disparities in staff shortages, with 34 radiologists currently needed to meet demand in the north of Scotland, whereas nine are needed in south-east north of Scotland is also expected to see a 43% shortfall in the number of oncologists by 2029, compared with 31% across Scotland as a whole. Neil Gray told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme: "We've got a 40% increase in the number of radiologists from 10 years ago, and a 27% increase in the number of oncologists compared to 10 years ago, and we're supporting the training of more so that we can help to address the demand that there is in the system."He added there has been a increased demand on cancer services, and the NHS is treating more patients than it was 10 years added: "We need to both address the demand upon services, which is what we are seeking to do by reducing waiting times, but also seek to reduce the potential for people to have to seek cancer services by addressing the population health reasons as to why there is an increased level of cancer in society."The reports also detail a "retention crisis" among cancer specialists - the median age of consultant clinical radiologists leaving the NHS was 38 in 2024, compared with 58 the year in 10 leavers last year were also under the age of added that government is also investing in wellbeing measures to help improve staff retention.
The Herald Scotland
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Business park plans for Scottish airport take step forward
The project aims to: deliver infrastructure to enable a fully accessible Oban Airport Business Park; promote private sector investment and establish an aviation, engineering and logistics cluster; and contribute towards reducing the population decline in Argyll and Bute and increase higher-paid employment opportunities for residents. Planning permission has been granted for one of two commercial buildings for lease at the site. The buildings are subject to a funding application for £7.68m from the Community Regeneration Partnership Fund. However, Councillors have also already agreed to invest £7.25 million to develop additional roads, infrastructure, and utilities at the site from the TIF fund with £1.6 million already approved for development costs to help meet the project timescales. READ MORE: Trump factor may bring big boost to Scottish tourism Orkney's ports make major waves with green ambitions at Scapa Flow and beyond 'Deeply regrettable' job cuts at Scottish island distillery In addition, the development will also support development of a West Coast UAV Logistics and Training Hub project with an investment of up to £4 million from the UK Government as part of the Argyll and Bute Rural Growth Deal. The investment will support proposals for Scotland's first specialised drone training and research centre. It will also provide state-of-the-art hangars with maintenance facilities for UAVs and general aviation aircraft. Argyll and Bute Council Leader, Councillor Jim Lynch, said: 'I'm delighted to announce the appointment of hub North Scotland and Robertson Construction on this project. Both organisations have long history of successful community projects, and I am excited to see this innovative project progress and help put the area on the aviation map.' Richard Park, Chief Executive of hub North Scotland, said: 'We have had an excellent long-term working relationship with Argyll and Bute Council and the Oban Airport development is a further demonstration of that commitment. This will be a transformational project which will create great opportunities for the airport and the local communities.' Ian Phillips, Regional Managing Director, Robertson Construction Northern, said: "This project represents a significant investment in Oban's future and an opportunity to deliver the infrastructure needed to support business growth, innovation, and employment. It builds on the ongoing collaboration between Robertson, Argyll and Bute Council, and hub North Scotland, and we look forward to helping bring these plans to life."
