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THE SCOTTISH RADIOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Standing Scottish Committee

Report 2002

Now that the National Health Service in Scotland is developing in a distinct way separate from the organisation south of the border a tranche of new policies, initiatives, and programmes have been introduced. While these are designed to produce a broad range of health benefits for the people of Scotland it is essential that all the links in this chain of care are addressed, particularly Radiology and Oncology. The Standing Scottish Committee strives to highlight these by supplying information and advice to the Scottish Health Service on those issues concerning Clinical Radiology and Clinical Oncology while carefully monitoring all these new initiatives which will affect both the patients and clinicians involved in our two specialties.

As has been the case for the last several years workforce planning has been the single most important and serious issue throughout the year. The Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, Dr Mac Armstrong was apprised of the dire situation in Clinical Radiology and particularly in the West of Scotland, Clinical Oncology. Some of the extra training posts promised last year have been fully funded but training slots are now full and the situation remains critical. Dr R Mackenzie carried out an audit of consultant vacancies for the committee, which confirmed the 14% shortfall in Radiology, and this verified data was sent to the CMO’s Office. Promises of action and a discussion of importing overseas consultants (as in England) were aired. The College’s early draft proposal for the development of radiology schools was mooted resulting in some support but worries about the cost and lack of a full business plan. The crisis at the Beatson Oncology Centre when four consultants resigned highlighting the lack of resources resulted in emergency management being brought in, an external review including the involvement of Dr McDougall, our secretary, on behalf of the College.

The equipment base has improved over the year but revenue costs for major capital equipment is still a problem. This was again stated to be the remit of Trusts and Health Boards who apparently had received ample funds to service the running costs. This was not the experience of most Radiologists or Oncologists.

CiRiS was introduced as a unique platform to manage continuous improvement using software to encourage clinical governance at all levels. Initially direct financial help was not available (unlike the DH in England) but Professor Weir lead a successful bid to CRAG for a £400K grant to cover the first three years costs for all the Trusts in Scotland. Take-up has been excellent with all but one Trust agreeing to install the software. The Scottish aspects of its management will be organised by the CiRiS Liaison Board for Scotland of which I am the chairman and Professor Weir the secretary.

The Scottish Cancer Plan is now being implemented and several departments are benefiting from targeted central funding. Professor F Gilbert is the Committee’s link. 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 following the untimely death of Professor Petrie. Professor Lowe has taken up his appointment as the new Chairman. The guidelines are now influencing clinical practice throughout the country with expressions of interest from Continental Europe. The radiological aspects of their advice still need to be carefully scrutinised and it is essential that the College continue 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 while areas, which have become outdated, are being reviewed.

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 Health Technology Board has similarities to NICE but considers all technologies and several members have been involved on their working groups in particular that considering PET. The Committee has given advice and information on these service issues faced by all Departments. They have been apprised of CiRiS and we are hopeful that they will support and cooperate with its implementation.

Members have been active representing the College in Scotland on multiple short life groups and working parties set up by the Scottish Office. Telemedicine, paediatric neurosurgery, stroke, epilepsy, various cancers and coronary heart disease are being reviewed. The Scottish Academy represents all the Royal Colleges and provides a cohesive voice when advising government. I represent the College on this body and on its behalf represent the College on the SJCC.

The Scottish Radiological Society has close links with the Committee with representatives attending meetings of each group. This was found to be mutually beneficial allowing dissemination of ideas and information.

Following several delays at the Scottish Executive, annual appraisal for Consultants is now upon us. This along with ECATS will raise a multitude of issues to be addressed over the summer and autumn that will keep the standing committee busy in the next session.

I am now in the mid portion of my Chairmanship and although several initiatives have been completed, and others started there remains much work to be done. Ideas, problems and feedback from all radiologists are always difficult to obtain but I would welcome any contacts either through your elected representatives on the Committee or directly to myself. I will endeavour to continue to ensure that the voice of our two Faculties is clearly heard and influences the development of health care in Scotland. I should like to thank Dr McDougall for his unstinting efforts as secretary and all the members of the Committee for their hard work and support during the last year.

See also SSC Report 2001 | SSC Report 2000
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