Gerald Fenech Support groups have welcomed the addition of two new oncologists at Boffa Hospital’s oncology unit, after years where only one specialist was handling a patient list of thousands of cancer patinets.
Action for Breast Cancer foundation (ABCF) chairperson Helen Muscat said the lack of oncologists had been “an ongoing concern” for patients and their relatives, since only one oncologist – Dr Stephen Brincat – was available for the over 3,000 patients at Boffa. Another consultant, Dr Victor Muscat, stayed on after retirement, to help cover the service.
Last year the hospital administered over 9,200 chemotherapy doses, while there were 1,155 new patients for radiotherapy in 2009. A staggering 16,737 sessions for treatment took place in 2009 alone.
Muscat said the employment of the consultants was a clear sign of the need for more staff. She said pharmacy workers appeared to be “overworked and understaffed.”
“We need more nurses specialised in cancer care as this is set to be in even greater demand with the predicted increase in cancer cases. The ideal would be to have the whole cancer service, including palliative care, running hand in hand with existing healthcare so that cancer patients benefit from a multidisciplinary team approach, much like the highly successful Breast Care Clinic running within Mater Dei Hospital. We believe there is every reason for cancer care in Malta to continue to improve,” Muscat said.
Boffa Hospital remains hampered with its own problems, despite having its own dedicated staff. Muscat said a new oncology centre would create further interest in the cancer field.
“It would encourage all our cancer careers. Boffa has served well, but it would need a major overhaul to bring it in line with current European standards. Investing in a completely new purpose built unit close to Mater Dei seems a much more sensible solution.”
Muscat, a former cancer patient herself, said her personal experience of Boffa Hospital was that of a highly stressful situation due to logistical problems. “Parking is a nightmare, when you are already anxious and maybe not feeling well. The entrance is not welcoming, with telephone operators in a makeshift office on the right as soon as you walk in. The setting is neither comfortable nor user-friendly.”
Muscat said the staff is “hugely dedicated” although working in adverse conditions.
“A reception desk would make a big difference to be greeted properly. When one enters the chemo unit, there is usually someone to greet you and make sure all your information is available and ready. All the team offering care to cancer patients in the chemo unit is very caring, even though they are so busy. They make you feel important and give you the time you need. I can only praise the way they work, because they are on the go non-stop.”
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