NHS Tayside staff felt pressured to make patients unavailable for appointments to hit waiting times targets, according to an internal audit.
The report, commissioned by the Scottish Government, said unavailability “appeared to have been systematically applied to prevent patients being reported as not meeting their treatment guarantee date” in 17% of the 367 cases tested.
The audit made clear most of those practices had stopped, but there were “some instances” still ongoing at the time of the investigation.
A Scotland-wide inquiry was prompted earlier this year when NHS Lothian was exposed as offering patients appointments in England, removing up to 5,000outpatients from the list in order to hit the Scottish Government’s 18-week target.
The reports found there was no evidence of widespread, deliberate manipulation of figures at any other Scottish health boards.
However, according to the NHS Tayside audit, some members of staff said they were told reporting breaches of waiting times procedures “was not an option,” especially when statistical data was due to be published.
Transactions were sometimes based on clear direction while, in other instances, staff were “just told to do whatever was required to clear the list.”
Some staff also told of behaviour “which potentially could be construed as bullying”, but others said they were comfortable they could process transactions with integrity.
An NHS Tayside spokesperson said: “We can reassure the public that all patients have already been treated or are on the appropriate care pathway and undergoing treatment.
“We are pleased that the internal audit recognised the very open and frank approach by NHS Tayside staff, which allowed them to complete their assignment.
“It also allowed us to take the necessary actions to ensure we are as robust as we can be around our waiting times data.
“We believe we are now in a position where we have strengthened our internal systems, rectified the inconsistencies and inaccuracies in our waiting times reporting and also taken action to prevent any future breaches of waiting times rules and policies.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Jim Hume MSP called on Health Secretary Alex Neil to take steps to address the issues identified with NHS Tayside.
He said: “I was disappointed that the cabinet secretary did not address the real concerns that patients will have.
“While I welcome these audits, Alex Neil has ignored concerns about a culture of bullying and extreme pressure to meet targets in NHS Tayside.”
Mr Neil said Mr Hume had to “make a distinction between allegations and what has actually been found to be true.”
He added: “Let us not forget that waiting times are amongst their lowest ever levels in Scotland and they continue to improve.
“Health boards need to be praised for the work they have done to make sure Scottish patients are getting their treatment quicker than ever.”
kiandrews@thecourier.co.uk