CANCER PATIENTS DYING

A SHORTAGE of radiation machines, drugs and nurses are affecting the operations of the St James Medical Complex, and because of the long waiting list to get treatment at the National Radiation Centre (NRC), some patients die. These were some of the problems the commissioners enquiring into the public health services heard yesterday, when they toured the complex. It was their second tour of health institutions. The complex comprises the NRC, the Physical Medical Rehabilitation Centre and Gerontology (Geriatrics) departments. The commission’s chairman Gladys Gaffoor and other members heard from a few of the complex’s 23 heads of departments.

Senior radiographer, Christine Khan, told the commissioners that of the three machines used at the NRC for radiation, two were not working. The one acquired since 1977 is operable but “is very slow.” She said parts from Canada have to be sourced for the newer machines which were obtained two years ago. It will take four to six weeks to arrive. Pointing out that the Centre serviced several Caribbean countries, Khan said the waiting list for treatment was lengthy, as much as one month to six weeks.

In some cases patients have been waiting for four months and in the “meantime they (patients) die, its a big problem.” Khan said ideally treatment of cancer should start three weeks after diagnosis. An average of 70 patients are treated daily at the Centre. For the month of March the Centre had 69 new patients and treated a total of 1,123 patients. For 2004, a total of 13,525 patients were treated for radiation. Matron June Bailey-Sandy said in 2003 their 2,898 patients received chemotherapy and in 2004 that number increased to 3,167.

Khan said staffing of the Centre was also an issue, as they had four radiographers, when there should be six. She said there were few qualified radiographers. As for the drugs to treat cancer patients, Khan said there is an irregular supply. The medication is also very expensive. She was supported by pharmacist Dr Catherine Reid, who said “we are plagued with a shortage.” She noted that the pharmacy served a large catchment area, with the major portion of the budget going towards cancer medication. Reid also said she lacked staff, a problem the North Western Regional Authority (NWRHA) has been aware of since last year. The only good thing is that a new structure for the pharmacy is almost completed.

Medical social worker, Verna Haynes, said her main problem was with patient referrals. She said the time was too long in referring patients. She also had staff problems, saying she spent more time doing administrative work, than counselling. Matron Bailey-Sandy drew the commissioners’ attention to the problem of a lack of nurses in supervisory positions. She said there were 80 registered nurses, three of whom were acting as head nurses. There are eight head nurse positions, but there are no official appointments. After the tour Gaffoor said “it was very informative.” She said a common thread of problems were emerging, and promised to hold a briefing to update the media on its work. The other commissioners are Dr Geoffrey Frankson, Wazir Hosein, Glen Wilson and Yvonne Pilgrim.