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THE SCOTTISH RADIOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Standing Scottish Committee

Report 2001

The Scottish Health Service is emerging from devolution as an individual and distinct entity and is now developing its own policies rather than rubber stamping (or tartanising) those from south of the border. While this provides considerable benefits for the people of Scotland it has become even more essential that the Standing Scottish Committee continues to supply information and advice to the Scottish Health Service on those issues concerning Clinical Radiology and Clinical Oncology while carefully monitoring the extensive output of new initiatives and policies which will affect our two specialties.

The annual meeting with the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland was delayed from the traditional November date until March 2001 allowing Dr Mac Armstrong to have taken up his new appointment. The most pressing discussion concerned manpower planning both in Clinical Radiology and at least in the West of Scotland, Clinical Oncology. Although extra training posts had been promised last year they had not been fully funded and the situation was now critical. Information was given to the CMO's Office regarding the large number of vacant consultant posts (up to 12% of establishment). These did not appear to correlate with the Department's estimates and further information on these posts is being provided to correct their omissions. The question of the revenue costs for major capital equipment disbursed centrally was raised. This was stated to be the remit of Trusts and Health Boards who had received ample funds to service the running costs and the CMO could not help. CiRiS was introduced as a unique platform to manage continuous improvement using software to encourage self-directed change. Although direct financial help was not available from the CMO's Office unlike the DH in England we were encouraged to take it forward with the Clinical Standards Board. We heard that development work on the Scottish Cancer Plan was well advanced and at the time of writing was to be published in late June. The special advisors to the CMO remain as Dr John Reid for Clinical Radiology and Dr Hugh McDougall for Clinical Oncology.

Our representation on SIGN continues as before. This organisation has undergone considerable change over the last year and its guidelines are influencing clinical practice throughout the country with expressions of interest from Continental Europe. Hopefully it will now take more notice of the radiological aspects of their advice and it is essential that the College continues to participate actively in the formulation of the guidelines as they have far reaching influences on our day-to-day practice. Dr Wardlaw has intimated that new areas where guideline development would be useful are being actively sought from radiologists and oncologists. (See the SIGN page on this site - Ed.)

The Clinical Standards Board for Scotland has a roughly equivalent role to that of CHIMP in England and Wales. They are developing standards for the treatment of various cancers and diagnostic tests that will be implemented and monitored throughout the country. The SSC has given advice and information on these service issues faced by all Departments. They have been appraised of CiRiS and we are hopeful that they will follow the DH's example and at least part fund the project.

Members of the SSC have been active on multiple short life groups and working parties set up by the Scottish Office. The telemedicine initiative is now at pilot study stage in two Health Board areas backed by a large central financial investment while further reviews of paediatric neurosurgery, stroke and coronary heart disease are being undertaken. The Scottish Academy is slowly defining its role in representing all the Royal Colleges and providing a cohesive voice when advising government. The Chairman represents the College on this body.

Close links with the Scottish Radiological Society have been maintained with representatives attending meetings of each group. This was found to be mutually beneficial allowing dissemination of ideas and information arising from their clearly separate roles.

With the imminent launch of the Scottish Cancer Plan and the Annual Appraisal for Consultants having been put back a year due to the Scottish Executive's six-month delay in issuing advice to Trusts there are a multitude of issues to be addressed before April 2002 that will keep the standing committee busy in the next session.

When Professor Weir demitted office in September 2000 and I was elected Chairman the committee was in a very healthy state. I will endeavour to continue that enthusiasm to ensure that the voice of our two Faculties is clearly heard and can influence the development of health care in Scotland. I should like to thank all the members of the Committee for their hard work and support during the last year.

See also SSC Report 2000
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