Rhona is new head of hospital cancer services

Feb 3 2010 by Wendy Scott, Airdrie & Coatbridge

CONTINUING to improve cancer care and reduce waiting times is the priority, according to NHS Lanarkshire’s new general manager of cancer services.

Rhona Roberton is based at Monklands Hospital but will be responsible for all aspects of cancer care across Lanarkshire’s three acute hospital sites - including Wishaw General and Hairmyres.

Rhona said: “NHS Lanarkshire’s cancer services have achieved some great results in improving patient care and reducing waiting times and this is something we must maintain and improve upon.

“One of the main objectives in this role will be ensuring we continue to meeting the 62-day target of treating patients after being urgently referred and work towards the 31-day target.

“By achieving this we will also be improving the pathway for cancer patients, ensuring they receive the highest quality of care and treatment in as short a timescale as possible.”

Rhona arrives in the post with significant senior managerial experience from an NHS career spanning 30 years.

Her most recent post was with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as general manager for the south sector in accident and emergency, acute medicine and the out-of-hours service.

Prior to this, she worked as a senior manager in both Monklands Hospital and at the Law Hospital site.

She said: “I’m looking forward to this new challenge of maintaining and improving the quality of care for cancer patients within NHS Lanarkshire and working with the already established clinical and managerial teams.”