Fears as doctor’s contract finishes
AN ARKLOW MAN who is battling a rare form of cancer says he fears for the future as a top oncology specialist is no longer attached to St Vincent’s Hospital, where he is being treated.
Jonathan Malone (39) from Cluain Ard was diagnosed with sarcoma two years ago, a rare form of cancer that affects around 300 Irish people every year.
As of Friday, his specialist Dr Alexia Bertuzzi will no longer be managing his care and he, along with 7,000 other people has signed a petition appealing to Minister for Health Simon Harris to ensure that a specialist with the same experience and knowledge is appointed.
‘Dr Bertuzzi is saving lives. She is always one step ahead of the game. There are about 50 sub-strains of sarcoma cancer and she has the expertise to know what combination of treatments work best to extend the life of her patients,’ Mr Malone explains.
The married father of two who was diagnosed with the disease after a bike riding accident two years ago says that he and patients in a similar position are fearful that the same standard of care will not be provided.
‘Dr Bertuzzi is a leading expert in her field. She is an Italian doctor and Italy is renowed as a top location for sarcoma research. Once she is gone we have no guarantee that we will have the same level of treatment.
‘We don’t believe that the HSE is considering replacing Dr Bertuzzi with somebody with the same expertise, simply because this is so rare and sarcoma is such a complex form of cancer to treat. She has been keeping people alive so what happens when she is gone?’ adds Mr Malone.
Mr Malone says that the Sarcoma Action Group Ireland has been formed to lobby for this cause and the group has requested meetings with Minister Harris.
The Minister addressed the Dáil on the issue last week and said ‘I am assured by the HSE that care for patients undergoing treatment for sarcoma cancer at St Vincent’s Hospital will not be compromised.’
‘ The question is, can it come quickly enough?’ says Mr Malone. BY DEBORAH COLEMAN