Are residents of the North Island aware that the Vancouver Island Health Authority has sent our one and only Nanaimo-based oncologist to Victoria for four of the five work days? We now have the oncologist at the Nanaimo cancer clinic on Fridays only.
I refer back to the VIHA press release of Feb. 13, 2012 regarding improved services for the North Island chemotherapy patients. Nanaimo had recruited a medical oncologist to join the two general practitioner oncology physicians. Is this the recruited oncologist that now spends four days a week in Victoria?
Is this oncologist really expected to carry Victoria patient caseloads as well as over-seeing the North Island patients? How does sending our oncologist to Victoria better serve the North Island patients and their needs?
I would like a response from VIHA and the B.C. Cancer Agency concerning my issues. VIHA constituents north of Ladysmith will be interested as well.
Donna Newall
Nanoose Bay
