The Scottish Government is demanding an explanation as to why a Tayside drug addict has been treated 1,000 times by out-of-hours doctors over the past three years.
The Courier revealed on Saturday that an unnamed addict has received 1,000 home visits over the last three years. Each visit costs the NHS around £100, while the out-of-hours emergency response vehicle is also out of use.
Labour and the Conservatives’ health spokesmen, Dr Richard Simpson and Murdo Fraser, have both demanded health secretary Nicola Sturgeon explain why resources are being spent in such a way.
The Courier was contacted by a whistleblower who said managers completely failed to deal with the situation and some doctors are now refusing to attend the patients’ calls.
They said the patient called every evening and doctors had to visit their home to give an injection of controlled drugs.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “While it is for health boards to ensure the clinical response is appropriate, the health secretary has asked for an assurance appropriate procedures are being followed.”
The out-of-hours service is accessed through NHS 24 and its medical director Dr George Crooks said the decision to make home visits is based on clinical need.
NHS Tayside has refused to comment.