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COURIER OPINION: Scottish ministers must order inquiry into NHS Tayside breast cancer scandal

The Scottish Government must order an inquiry into the NHS Tayside breast cancer scandal if public trust is ever to be restored.

photo shows Les Johnson holding a photo of him and his late wife Ruth on their wedding day.
Les Johnson lost his wife Ruth to breast cancer and is among the families calling for NHS Tayside to be held to account. Image: Alan Richardson.

The Courier’s special investigation into the breast cancer scandal at NHS Tayside reveals fresh evidence and allegations of a cover-up at the highest level.

It is the latest and most illuminating chapter of a story that has been commanding headlines for more than three-and-a-half years.

For the patients and families involved, the specific claim about the increased risk of their cancer coming back has left an indelible mark.

And they grapple with whether to put their trust in claims around recurrence that have been rubbished by experts and have no methodology underpinning them.

Four people who appear in DC Thomson's breast cancer scandal documentary
Relatives have spoken to The Courier for a new documentary on the Tayside breast cancer scandal.

The devastating impact of this scandal has seen a once highly-respected breast cancer service collapse and people in Tayside forced to travel outside the region.

People can see for themselves the rationale behind offering nearly 200 women lower doses of chemotherapy drugs.

They can hear for the first time from one of the oncologists involved and the whistleblower who first raised the alarm.

And they can make up their own mind whether patients should have been told about the decision to lower the dose.

photo shows someone looking at breast scans on a computer screen.
NHS Tayside had to change its chemotherapy treatment after a watchdog report found breast cancer patients were being given a lower dose than in the rest of Scotland. Image: Rui Vieira/PA Wire.

But while our investigation has been able to shed new light on what went on behind closed doors at NHS Tayside, only a full inquiry can now find the answers patients and
families deserve.

Ministers have a duty to probe Tayside breast cancer concerns

The health secretary would like to move on and focus on the future of services in Tayside.

But for the patients and families involved, there can be no closure until they have real answers about the care they were given and assurances about future treatment regimens.

photo shows Health secretary Humza Yousaf.
Health secretary Humza Yousaf.

If public trust is ever to be restored and the breast cancer service rebuilt, then a line in the sand must be drawn on this scandal.

That can only happen with a full and frank investigation into what happened in which no stone is unturned.

Scottish ministers have it in their power to order a public inquiry into this scandal.

They have a duty to use it.

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