Another stark warning on the state of the NHS

They say “alarm bells should be ringing,” and that without “urgent action” to boost the workforce, more patients would suffer as a result in the face of rising demand.

Dr Stephen Harden, president of the RCR, states starkly: “For the first time, our census shows that patients’ conditions are deteriorating because of workforce shortages. Delays to diagnosis and cancer treatment are extremely dangerous, particularly in deprived and rural communities where shortages are worst.”

The RCR says today that the issues around training and retaining doctors which had led to chronic workforce shortages amounted to a “longstanding failure”, and it is difficult to argue with that. It said that across Scotland, the NHS has 28 per cent fewer radiologists and 18 per cent fewer clinical oncologists than is needed simply to meet current demand.

It is unfortunately a picture repeated across the service. Hard-working, dedicated staff placed under even more pressure, just managing to keep vital services running.

While the shortage in this area may be a particular issue, the problem is certainly not confined to cancer care.

Last month, we reported that an exodus of younger nurses and a shortage of students entering the profession had created a “pressure cooker situation”.

The Royal College of Nursing Scotland said that without “bold” action from the Scottish Government, the gap between the number of registered nurses needed and the number entering the workforce will continue to widen, with the problem set to “worsen quickly” as staff retire.

New Health Secretary Angela Constance already has a full inbox of fires. Radical reform is needed to have any hope of getting them under control. Our NHS, the staff, and the patients deserve better.