Top oncologist quits over lack of resources

AN award-winning cancer treatment specialist has quit his job at one of the country’s busiest hospitals because of a lack of resources.

After four years of campaigning unsuccessfully for a dedicated cancer ward at Cork University Hospital (CUH), clinical medical oncologist Dr Oscar Breathnach has resigned in frustration.

His departure means more than 900 cancer patients in Cork and Kerry have access to only one consultant oncologist.

There are 13 oncologists in the Beaumont Hospital.

Defending his colleague’s decision to resign from CUH, Dr Seamus O’Reilly said he understood Dr Breathnach’s frustration.

“We have no dedicated ward and patients are scattered throughout the hospital. It is not the most efficient manner of treating patients, there is no continuum of care and you can’t focus the medical and nursing expertise.

“It is not the optimum way to do things,” Dr O’Reilly said. He said CUH was the only acute hospital in the country not to have a seven-day dedicated ward, despite cancer being the second biggest cause of death in Cork and Kerry.

He said Dr Breathnach’s departure would be a “tremendous loss”.

“Oscar’s decision to leave was not one he took lightly. It is very disruptive to patients and their families and we are hoping things will improve.”

Dr Breathnach leaves behind a huge patient base. He treats up to 400 newly diagnosed cancer patients a year.

In Kerry, there are 3,000 cancer patient visits to the day ward each year, with 80 people alone on active treatment in Tralee.

Between Cork and Kerry, up to 900 patients are on active treatment each year. There are no waiting lists, but Dr Breathnach’s departure may change this.

“We absolutely don’t want waiting lists, we feel it is a very stressful time, it is a hugely emotional illness,” Dr O’Reilly said.

He said the Health Service Executive (HSE) - Southern Area was taking steps to improve the staffing situation.

A HSE statement confirmed his resignation.

“The HSE Southern Area will now advertise for a replacement permanent consultant medical oncologist post,” it said.

Dr Breathnach is a key player in the CUH-based Oncology Clinical Trials unit and is the Irish representative to the European Society of Medical Oncologists.