Patient survey on radiotherapy services biased, says surgeon

A MEMBER of the expert review group asked to recommend sites for radiotherapy services has criticised the methods used in a survey to assess patients’ priorities.

Gordon Watson, consultant surgeon in the South Eastern Health Board, said the manner in which patients were selected to participate in a review of existing services was biased. The patient review formed part of the overall Report on the Development of Radiation Oncology Services in Ireland.

“I don’t think it would stand up to scientific scrutiny or peer review,” Mr Watson said.