The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7201 p793-795
8 June 2002

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NHS Scotland (www.show.scot.nhs.uk)

Second wave of investment for cancer services in Scotland

Over 200 additional health care professionals, including 25 pharmacists and some pharmacy technicians, are to be recruited in Scotland as part of a second wave of investment for cancer services.

The Scottish Executive will also provide funding for more equipment for diagnosing cancer and for photodynamic therapy. In total, £25m is expected to be spent on the "fight against cancer" in Scotland this year. Last year, £10m was invested in the recruitment of over 130 extra health care staff and equipment following publication of the Scottish cancer strategy, "Cancer in Scotland: action for change", in July.

Keith Ridge, chief pharmacist, North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust, said that the west of Scotland has received funding under the second wave for around 30 posts for pharmacy staff, two-thirds of which are for pharmacists including a G grade regional cancer care pharmacist to be based in north Glasgow. "The investment in pharmacy will take pharmaceutical care to the next level," Mr Ridge said.

Alison Strath, chairman of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Scotland, said the new funding took account of input from the Association of Scottish Trust Chief Pharmacists in capacity planning for cancer services.