{"id":759962,"date":"2026-09-04T17:58:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T17:58:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/759962\/"},"modified":"2026-09-04T17:58:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T17:58:11","slug":"malcolm-offord-used-private-healthcare-to-treat-prostate-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/759962\/","title":{"rendered":"Malcolm Offord used private healthcare to treat prostate cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lord Malcom Offord has revealed that he used private healthcare to treat his prostate cancer diagnosis.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Lord Offord said: \u201cNo, I went through a private GP and private healthcare, but obviously all the medics in the private sector also work in the NHS.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, I decided on a personal level just to fast-track that and do that, so I can be back to work this week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lord Offord said he would have taken the NHS route if it was not for his work schedule.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cAbsolutely. Because it\u2019s the same medics who operate in both arenas and it was just my particular issue in terms of speed that fast-tracked me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lord Offord was diagnosed with prostate cancer on the day of the Holyrood election.<\/p>\n

He revealed his diagnosis while speaking to an audience at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.<\/p>\n

During Matt Forde\u2019s Political Party event, the host noticed a hospital band on Lord Offord\u2019s wrist.<\/p>\n

The politician told him: \u201cI just had a procedure last Wednesday to remove my prostate. So I am now clear. It was last Wednesday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking on Friday, Lord Offord said the diagnosis was picked up during a routine GP annual check.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cI\u2019d got the heads-up at the end of March, beginning of April, that I had a problem.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, I didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe final result then came through on the election day. It wasn\u2019t a great piece of news to get.\u201d<\/p>\n

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