Malcolm Chisholm acted after visiting the centre

"I heard a range of concerns at the Beatson and the reality is that a range of actions are necessary to deal with the problems there," said Mr Chisholm.

"Crucial for the implementation of those actions is to have a new management situation there and that's why a very senior doctor with strong management skills has been appointed today."

Mr Bryson will start work immediately and report directly to Greater Glasgow NHS Board Chief Executive Tom Divers.

Mr Chisholm was made health minister last week in a cabinet reshuffle and said sorting out Beatson's difficulties would be his top priority.

'Fixing problems'

He refused to say whether or not he had decided to appoint Dr Bryson prior to his visit to the Beatson, but he said the visit had helped to make up his mind that a change had to be made "immediately".

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, Mr Chisholm also said recently announced changes to the centre's management structure would still go ahead.

He refused to criticise the trust's board, which he said would now be able to focus on its other responsibilities.

Dr Adam Bryson starts his job with immediate effect

He added: "I'm not interested this morning in criticising personalities, I'm interested in fixing problems and this is an important step in doing that."

The minister also said that following the recent resignations, recruiting more clinical oncologists was an "urgent priority".

The consultants are understood to have left in protest at a lack of funds for the centre.

The resignation of Dr Adrian Harnett left the Beatson with 10 vacancies to fill - six of which are new posts.

Mr Chisholm said a wide range of issues had been raised during his visit, including staffing and the condition of the building.

'Action is important'

The Beatson's new director was only informed of his appointment late on Wednesday night.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, Dr Bryson admitted that it would be hard to attract oncologists - who are in short supply in the UK - to the centre.

"It is going to be very difficult to attract oncologists to come and work at the Beatson in the circumstances that prevail there at present," he said.

"However, I think there is an opportunity to offer oncologists a chance to come and be part of a solution rather than come into a situation where there is no prospect of betterment."

And he added: "I will work with the clinicians at the Beatson Oncology Centre and with the members of Greater Glasgow Health Board to do everything that we possibly can to improve the service to the greatest extent that we can as soon as we can."

The centre needs to fill 10 posts

Scottish National Party health spokeswoman Nicola Sturgeon called the move "a step in the right direction", but warned that much remained to be done.

"What is important now is the action taken by Adam Bryson in the immediate term," she said.

She told BBC Radio Scotland she understood from "a good authority" that another consultant at the Beatson was considering resignation, having received a job offer, and others were looking for jobs.

Tory health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon welcomed the minister's action but said the situation at the Beatson had been deteriorating for two years.