Health and Social Services Minister Mildred Dover announced government's plan today to establish an enhanced level of cancer treatment services on Prince Edward Island.
The three-part plan includes the purchase of new radiotherapy equipment at a cost of $1.2 million; the recruitment of a radiation oncologist, physicist and support staff; and planning to effectively integrate the new service within the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Minister Dover said the investment decision reflects government's commitment to ensure that radiation oncology services are maintained on Prince Edward Island in response to priorities identified by Islanders, health professionals and the Cancer Society.
"The new service will offer an enhanced level of care and a more extensive range of services. At the same time it will reduce the great financial and emotional costs for Island families who would otherwise have to travel to another province for treatment at a time of personal crisis in their lives," said Minister Dover.
Capital equipment funding of $1.5 million has been allocated in the 1996-1997 provincial budget for the new service. It will be used to purchase a radiotherapy simulator at a cost of $800,000, a treatment planning system at a cost of $300,000 and physics and mold room equipment at a cost of $100,000.
Recruitment will begin immediately for a full-time radiation oncologist and medical physicist. Radiotherapy technologists and administrative support staff will be hired at the time the service becomes operational in mid-1998.
A comprehensive functional program and design process will be implemented by Queen Elizabeth Hospital staff to determine the best location and physical space plan for the radiation oncology service, as well as the impact of moving other services within the QEH.
It is recommended that the radiation oncologist and physicist be on staff to participate in planning the new service. They will be required to evaluate equipment options and space requirements, make recommendations on how the new service best fits within the hospital, and explore how medical oncology, radiation oncology and palliative services could eventually function as a full-service cancer centre for Prince Edward Island.
Recruitment will include advertising in professional publications and direct contact with all major cancer centres and practising radiation oncologists across the country. Recruitment efforts are expected to be enhanced by the increased availability of radiation oncology graduates in Canada in recent years, along with the attractive opportunity that will be created on the Island through the enhanced level of service, new equipment and additional staff.
QEH medical oncologist Dr. Philip Champion said the new service will have a significant impact on overall cancer services offered to Islanders in the province. "In the past we have been able to offer a high level of medical oncology or chemotherapy services to Islanders at home, with limited radiation oncology services. The new service will bridge a significant gap in service and advance the quality of care we offer to many Islanders and families living with cancer," he said.
Minister Dover said that today's announcement is the result of a comprehensive planning process which involved staff from the Department of Health and Social Services and the Queens Region, along with representatives of the PEI Division of the Canadian Cancer Society.
Queens Region Board Chair, Tom DeBlois, said that the new service will likely offer additional benefits to Islanders. "The addition of a full-time radiation oncologist and physicist will be a welcome addition to the QEH," he said. "Their expertise will enhance other Diagnostic Imaging services, and will eliminate our present need to contract out for physicist services. The establishment of the service also provides potential for improved provincial palliative care services which could significantly improve the quality of care we are now able to offer."
Minister Dover advised that there will likely be an interruption in radiation oncology services before the new service becomes operational. "During that time every care will be taken to assist Island patients who must travel off-Island for service," she said.
The minister indicated that the establishment of the new service is the first step in the implementation of a comprehensive cancer initiative which will include increased screening and prevention programs, and the acquisition of a linear accelerator at the time that the level of demand can justify the service.
"Government is committed to purchasing a linear accelerator at the time that it is required," she said. "The introduction of a new enhanced level of service, equipment and radiotherapy staff will be of great assistance in further evaluating the need for additional services."