We're facing cancer docs 'time bomb'

Medics warn of critical staff shortage

- NICK FORBES

CANCER care faces a "ticking time bomb" unless action is taken to recruit more radiologists and oncologists, doctors have warned.

Reports from the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) show Scotland currently has a 25 per cent shortage of radiologists and a 19 per cent shortage of oncologists.

The shortfalls are expected to rise to 35 per cent and 31 per cent by 2029.

Recruitment is lagging behind a growing demand for services and a "retention crisis" is seeing cancer doctors leaving the NHS at a younger age than ever before, according to the documents.