A LEADING consultant has backed calls for MSPs to hold an inquiry into the state of the NHS in Scotland.

Dr Nikki Thompson, chair-elect of the British Medical Association's Scottish Consultants' Committee, has made the case after the launch of The Herald's NHS Time for Action campaign.

She also praised the paper for exposing pressures on staff and how they was affecting patients.

In a letter to the editor, Dr Thompson says: "The Herald is to be congratulated for its comprehensive coverage of the state of the NHS in its campaign.

"I am pleased this campaign has publicised the need for a debate on the capacity of our NHS and its ability to cope."

She goes on to say: "I agree with politicians who have subsequently called for a health committee inquiry into the state of the NHS in Scotland. It is important that we take a comprehensive look at how the NHS is performing."

The Herald campaign asks whether Scotland's hospitals can cope with our rapidly-ageing population and any surge in illness such as a flu outbreak.

It has also called for a national review of hopital and community capacity.

Dr Thompson, who has worked in the NHS for 20 years and is a consultant anaesthetist at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, told of her huge workload, which she said was "not sustainable".

She said patients now receive better care but added: "However, the downside of this progress is that the work is much more pressurised.

"I personally feel under pressure and I can see that the system is under a huge amount of strain. The intensity of my work is not sustainable and there's no way I would be able to continue to work like this until I retire."

Dr Thompson urged politicians in Scotland not to introduce routine round-the-clock care for non-urgent treatment, as is being proposed in England.

She said: "Any attempt to introduce this would require huge investment that simply doesn't exist in this financial climate. I hope Scottish politicians see sense and focus instead on fixing a service close to breaking point, not stretching it until it snaps."

The NHS Time for Action campaign was launched this week with the backing of doctors amid growing concern over stretched resources in the health service.

Earlier this week one consultant claimed hospitals are narrowly avoiding a crisis most days.