Out-of-province travel may be needed

Health P.E.I. says followup care plans are being developed for patients of departing hematologist Dr. Ashish Masurekar, but some people may have to travel outside of P.E.I. for care.

Masurekar is slated to leave P.E.I. later this winter. He is the only dedicated hematologist working with the P.E.I. Cancer Treatment Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. In a statement, Health P.E.I. said it does not currently have a complement position for a hematologist, meaning the position is not considered a position the health agency is required to fill.

“There have been times when a medical oncologist has had additional training in hematology or had a subspecialty in that field of medicine,” the statement said.

“When this was the case, Health PEI was able to provide this additional specialty support; however, the priority area of practice for the physician was medical oncology.”

The statement said the remaining medical oncologist will be following up with the patients of Masurekar, along with a clinical associate and nurse practitioner with training in cancer care.

Health P.E.I. has posted a position for a medical oncologist or hematologist.

“Every effort is made to care for patients in-province; however, some may have to travel out of province for care depending on the complexity of their diagnosis.

“This practice has always been in place,” Health P.E.I. said in the statement.