Watchdog opens survey of hospital consultants after 14 women die

Breast cancer patient Lee Dennis, one of those who received a lower dose of bad cancer medications, called for restoring "trust" between doctors and patients in the trust .

A medical consultant is under investigation.

The General Medical Council (GMC) has launched a survey of women who are prescribed lower doses of chemotherapy than they should have been.

The GMC, which regulates doctors, is studying the prescription of bad cancer drugs at the NHS Tayside.

The exam is supposed to focus on the behavior of two doctors involved in the care of more than 300 patients.

In total, 14 women treated between December 2016 and March 2019 have since died.

Doctors have prescribed low doses of docetaxel, a bad cancer drug, to reduce serious side effects and long-term secondary conditions.

A report from Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) found that the dosage administered to Tayside patients was lower than that of any other health board and that patients had not been informed of the variance.

A spokesman for GMC said: "We are aware of the concerns expressed in the Healthcare Improvement Scotland report and will carefully consider the issues raised against the professional standards we expect from physicians."

Experienced Tayside clinicians have repeatedly stated that the higher doses prescribed elsewhere were "of unacceptable toxicity" and insisted that the Tayside treatment regimen was in patients' best interest .

The HIS report, which included a specific risk badessment by an independent review panel, indicated that the decision was made with consideration for the well-being of the patient.

But it was discovered that Tayside oncologists had prescribed only 80% of the standard docetaxel dose in Scotland.

A risk badessment report for the Scottish Government released last week found that one person per year may be at "increased risk of recurrence". It has also been discovered that bad cancer patients are at "significant" risk by reducing their drug doses.

Specialists from the Royal College of Physicians in London will be visiting Tayside later this month.

Lee Dennis, a bad cancer patient and founder of the NHS Tayside Cancer Care Support Group, said, "The GMC has a duty to maintain public trust in the medical profession.

"If problems exist, they are in the best position to advise. It is important to restore confidence in the doctor-patient relationship.

"Many patients and families feel deprived of knowing choices about their treatment. This should give them confidence that all angles are examined. "

Scottish conservative Conservative spokesperson Miles Briggs said: "The gravity of the situation can not be overstated.

"It's just that the GMC is studying the issue in depth, whether it's individuals or the organization as a whole.

"The patients and families of the deceased patients deserve answers and I sincerely hope this probe will help them achieve this goal.

"We also need to make sure nothing like this ever happens again in the NHS of Scotland."

Monica Lennon, spokesperson for Scottish Labor Health, said, "This is an extremely worrying time for affected women and families. It is right that the General Medical Council investigate this issue.

"While it's important for the GMC to get to the bottom of things, it's critical that the broader NHS Tayside governance and performance issues are not ignored."

NHS spokesperson Tayside said: "We are aware of this and are in regular contact with the GMC."