Malcolm Offord used private healthcare to treat prostate cancer

Lord Malcom Offord has revealed that he used private healthcare to treat his prostate cancer diagnosis.

The Reform UK Scotland leader appeared on Mornings on BBC Radio Scotland, where he was asked by Stephen Jardine if the diagnosis allowed him to see the NHS up close.

Lord Offord said: “No, I went through a private GP and private healthcare, but obviously all the medics in the private sector also work in the NHS.

“It’s just that because of the particular timetable I have, I had to get this done in recess, and I wanted to get it done, out of the way, before coming back to Parliament.

“So, I decided on a personal level just to fast-track that and do that, so I can be back to work this week.”

Lord Offord said he would have taken the NHS route if it was not for his work schedule.

He said: “Absolutely. Because it’s the same medics who operate in both arenas and it was just my particular issue in terms of speed that fast-tracked me.”

Lord Offord was diagnosed with prostate cancer on the day of the Holyrood election.

He revealed his diagnosis while speaking to an audience at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.

During Matt Forde’s Political Party event, the host noticed a hospital band on Lord Offord’s wrist.

The politician told him: “I just had a procedure last Wednesday to remove my prostate. So I am now clear. It was last Wednesday.”

Speaking on Friday, Lord Offord said the diagnosis was picked up during a routine GP annual check.

He said: “I’d got the heads-up at the end of March, beginning of April, that I had a problem.

“I mean, I didn’t have any symptoms because you know I was fine and healthy, but I get an annual check every year, and on that GP check, I was told my PSA levels were raised.

“The final result then came through on the election day. It wasn’t a great piece of news to get.”