A short-term working group including local clinicians, patients and outside experts will work on ways to address ongoing concerns about recruiting radiologists to the Highlands.
Medics have written letters to NHS Highland raising concerns about vacancies at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.
The Scottish Government and NHS Highland are working together to review radiology services.
Yesterday the board’s medical director, Dr Rod Harvey, said a new “short life” working group should also be established.
He added: “Everyone agrees that radiology services are under unprecedented pressure which is a result in a shortage of radiologists compounded by increasing demand on the service.”
He stressed that it was symptomatic of a national shortage of radiologists and that NHS Highland has been “outsourcing external suppliers” to maintain its service.
He added: “My view is the current configuration of our service is unsustainable. It’s vital we take steps to maintain it.
“I would recommend establishing a short life radiology group, co-chaired by me and a non executive director. We would have clinicians in primary and secondary care and patients and radiographers and people managing the service and external experts.”
A progress report will be sent to the board in the next four to six months.
Non executive board director, Gaener Rodger, said: “Radiology is really important for our care and the really exciting thing here is the range of stakeholders, and having patients involved in this process of work would be really critical.”
Board chairman David Alston suggested that moves should start now to set up this working group, to which members agreed.
