The testimony of a patient suffering from aggressive lung cancer, whose surgery is scheduled outside of the normally prescribed time frame, has provoked a violent reaction from the medical community, who claim that no excuse can justify this situation.
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“You have to be more creative and aggressive to find solutions. We have someone who could die if we don’t act,” pounded Me Paul Brunet of the Council for the Protection of the Sick.
If patient Joyce Ledoux needed surgery within two weeks, she would not be able to undergo surgery for six to eight weeks, her surgeon confirmed this week.
According to the President of the Association of Hematologists and Oncologists of Quebec, Dr. Martin Champagne, no excuse is valid to justify such a situation.
“Heartbreaking decisions have to be made,” he said.
For example, while hip and knee surgeries severely impact patients’ quality of life, cancer surgeries literally save lives, he explained.
For his part, Me Brunet recalls that in the 1990s Quebec was sending patients to Plattsburgh in the United States for treatment. According to him, the contribution of private clinics and health authorities must also be part of the solution.
The health secretary’s office, which was asked to respond, said it was “very sensitive to the reported testimonies and it is certain that we do not like situations like this. The CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS assures us that a regional committee is in place to remedy and […] improve access.
“We want the identified options for action to be implemented very quickly. We will ensure with the ministry that action is taken,” he added.