A senior consultant at Scotland's largest cancer treatment centre has warned chronic staff shortages are continuing.

Dr Noelle O'Rourke of the Beatson Oncology Centre said the cancer patients of the west of Scotland "deserve better".

She said: "We do not have enough consultants in the Beatson to provide a comprehensive service at present."

Dr O'Rourke revealed that the world renowned unit was still three consultants short of a target of 20 set by an advisory group.

Dr O'Rourke is "privileged" to work at the Beatson

Writing in The Herald newspaper, Ms O'Rourke said it was not a debate about numbers of patients or consultants.

She said: "It is about providing good quality cancer care.

"Already in the past year we have been forced to close a number of clinics.

"Worryingly fewer patients in some areas may now get to see an oncologist.

"For those patients who do, many will have little, if any, time with a consultant and the level of consultant supervision of complex treatments is compromised."

The fact that they have not even reset a target date to achieve 20 consultants is an admission of defeat

Dr Noelle O'Rourke

Earlier this year, Dr O'Rourke resigned as chair of the Beatson Clinical Governance Committee.

The committee is responsible for quality and safety issues.

At the time she expressed concerns about inadequate senior medical cover.

She is critical of the man brought in to resolve the Beatson's problems last year, Dr Adam Bryson.

In her letter to The Herald she wrote: "I am privileged to work in a cancer centre with hugely committed and skilful colleagues of all professional disciplines.

"The additional funding in the past year has boosted nursing numbers and morale, and improved funding nationally is impacting positively in other ways.

Our efforts to scour the world for more staff will continue

NHS Greater Glasgow

"But if Dr Bryson and the health boards decide to ignore recommendations they are declaring to staff and patients that they are willing to run a service which falls below a minimum standard.

"The fact that they have not even reset a target date to achieve 20 consultants is an admission of defeat."

A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow said it was totally committed to increasing the complement of consultant oncologists at Beatson.

Extra funding has been announced for the centre

The intention was to employ not just 20 but 23 consultants.

He said: "We fully acknowledge the pressure on the consultants, who are currently providing high standards of service.

"Since January this year we have increased the total staffing level by more than 70 - this alleviates some of the pressure on consultants.

Cash injection

The spokesman said: "The target of 20 consultant staff by September was always going to be very difficult to achieve.

"The shortage of consultant oncologists in the UK remains with 60 unfilled posts nationally

"Despite this we fully expect to be able to announce the appointment of a permanent director for the Beatson this month.

"Our efforts to scour the world for more staff will continue."

Earlier this year, the Beatson Centre received a �4m cash injection as part of a �20m boost for Scotland's cancer services.

The Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said the money would be spent on recruiting extra staff, buying new equipment and reducing waiting times.