This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Response to report on Beatson incident
27/10/2006
The Lisa Norris report highlights significant lessons which must be learned not just at the Beatson Oncology Centre, but across Scotland and beyond, Health Minister Andy Kerr said today.
The report outlines a number of key safeguards that should be in place to ensure patient safety during radiotherapy. In a letter to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Mr Kerr has made it clear he now expects action to be taken at the Beatson. However, he also adds others should use the recommendations to examine and improve their own procedures.
Immediate inspections of Scotland's five Cancer Radiotherapy Centres will also take place in the wake of today's report. Within the next few weeks the warranted Inspector will undertake visits to the centres in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness. A more detailed round of investigations, carried out in conjunction with the Health Protection Agency, will follow later in the year.
Mr Kerr said:
"Firstly, I want to express my deepest sympathies to the Norris family at this very difficult time. My impression of Lisa Norris was of a dignified, brave and determined young woman. I hope today's report will help to ensure that the mistakes made in her treatment are not repeated.
"Every year around twelve thousand life-saving radiotherapy treatments are successfully prescribed, planned and delivered across Scotland. Nearly five thousand of these take place at the Beatson, with only a handful of reported errors, almost all of which present minimal risk to the patient. Nonetheless, I am determined that lessons are learned.
"The serving of a formal Improvement Notice underlines the concerns raised in today's report around some of the quality systems in place at the Beatson. Since the incident in January, I know that a number of improvements have already been made by Greater Glasow and Clyde NHS Board. However, it is clear to me that more work is needed to ensure outstanding issues are tackled quickly and thoroughly.
"The Inspector's report has been a vital exercise in establishing what went wrong in the treatment of Lisa Norris, and why. His recommendations are aimed at minimising the risk of any possible recurrence. I'm sure other cancer centres across Scotland, and beyond, will wish to reflect on those recommendations."
"Finally, I firmly believe that Scotland's cancer service has taken great strides in recent times. We want to continue to drive up standards, and that's why inspections of our radiotherapy facilities will begin over the next few weeks."
The report was compiled by the Inspector appointed by Scottish Ministers for the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposures) Regulations 2000. It can be accessed via the following link http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/10/27084909