Cancer chief resigns after advice ‘repeatedly ignored’
Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
The head of Mater Dei Hospital’s oncology department, Stephen Brincat, has resigned saying the government repeatedly ignored his advice on various important issues, making his position untenable.
As a result, decisions were taken that wasted “hundreds of thousands or euro”, Prof. Brincat told The Times.
“The duties of a clinical chairman of a hospital department are not just to lead the service provision of that department but also to advise the government on matters pertaining to that speciality, cancer in this case.
“When that advice is repeatedly ignored, the position becomes untenable,” he said.
Prof. Brincat’s resignation was raised by Labour Party health spokesman Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, who said he resigned because of clashes over policy and disorganisation at the Sir Paul Boffa cancer hospital in Floriana.
A Health Ministry spokesman said Prof. Brincat was resisting plans to merge the oncology and haematology departments, which deal with cancer and blood disease respectively, and also objected to extending chemotherapy services to Gozo.
“His resignation was accepted, providing the opportunity for these new, exciting changes to occur and for all the developments that have long been planned to finally be rolled out, also in order to bring this department to acceptable international standards, in preparation for the new cancer centre,” the spokesman said.
The Health Ministry said merging the departments was in line with common clinical practices.
“This new configuration reflects the aggregation of services that are being planned for the new Oncology Centre where a number of specialities would be working and housed together,” the spokesman said.
In a detailed reply to questions sent by The Times, Prof. Brincat listed more than two reasons for his resignation.
He disagreed with the policy to deliberately keep the National Cancer Plan a secret from the professionals that were meant to execute it until the day it was published.
He said that when he was asked whether he thought it was best to move oncology from Boffa to Mater Dei seven years ago, his answer “was a clear, though reluctant one, in favour of Mater Dei to join the other specialities”.
“Without the slightest bit of planning we were ordered to go to Zammit Clapp. After three years of useless planning we were then told we’d be going to Mater Dei.
“Apart from the hundreds of thousands of euro wasted, we wasted three precious years during which the life span of our single old linear accelerator (a machine) for treating cancer patients was fast running out,” he said.
He repeatedly warned the Health Department about the danger to the service, “but I was told that the political decision had been taken and that I should therefore shut up”.
Eventually, after the machine broke down several times, a new wing was built at Boffa to house a machine that had to eventually be moved to Mater Dei at a great expense. “As always, no one is accountable,” he said.
Recently, he said, he was ordered to provide chemotherapy services in Gozo.
“The oncology department has never been in favour of this as it would have meant offering a poorer quality service in Gozo due to a lack of trained and experienced staff.
“Notwithstanding, I did as ordered and gave the department a plan that would have allowed us to deliver a limited service safely and to a reasonably high standard.
“Rather than accept this, the Health Department opted for a rush job to be set up in under a month, together with nonsensical clinical instructions on how to implement this,” he said.
The last straw was the decision to amalgamate two specialities, oncology and haematology, under one chairman.
He felt that accepting this would be “presumptuous” as he was not an expert in both fields and the administration would leave him no time for patients.
“When it was made clear last week that this advice was not being accepted I resigned with immediate effect,” he said, adding that he will continue in his post as a consultant oncologist.
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Joe Grech
Sep 1st 2012, 03:58
I want to raise another thing here. I know that abroad, doctors do not just depend on radiotherapy and chemotherapy; they use a cocktail of medicines, special prepared according to the needs if each patient. When I asked why it is not done the same in Malta, I was told that this is because our Government is not prepared to pay for these very expensive medicines. I cannot accept how the same government that wasted so much money on useless projects is ready to watch its people die of cancer.
Leo Said
Aug 31st 2012, 16:45
quote: "“When it was made clear last week that this advice was not being accepted I resigned with immediate effect,” he said, adding that he will continue in his post as a consultant oncologist."
I might have misunderstood some aspect of this whole story and I stand to be corrected.
DR. STEPHEN BRINCAT FURTHER GUARANTEES HIS SERVICES AS A CONSULTANT ONCOLOGIST and hence there should be NO DISADVANTAGE for patients of his.
I understand that Dr. Stephen Brincat has only resigned from his administrative office as director of a particular department.
It is accepted practice that a medical specialist offers his/her professional advice to his/her administrative superiors, BUT, it is also accepted practice, licit and legitimate that the respective administration has the final word, be it correct, be it wrong.
Many centres of medical excellence in the European Union nowadays have a Haemato-Oncology Unit. With respect to Malta, the Royal Marsden Hospital in London is a specific focus.
The Royal Marsden Hospital has a singular Haemato-Oncology Unit:
http://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/consultants-teams-wards/clinical-units/pages/haemato-oncology-unit.aspx
It is rather pitiful that the PL spokeslady for health strives to make political capital out of issues, which she cannot really understand.
Anthony Mizzi
Aug 31st 2012, 16:27
If this is not a RED LIGHT , I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS!
Our health and well-being is n o joke and to be taken seriously , as is the money squandered on mismanagement of the health sector !
Keep Profs. Brincat, he is the expert, as many cancer patients and their families know full well!
Just let Dr. Cassar the health Minister go!
He will not be missed ..... Profs. Brincat will !
Certain decisions just cannot wait till Parliament opens!
Being health minister is not just sending floral tributes and silver platters from Ministerial budgets as PR exercises but serious long term planning AND NOT AT OUR COST!
Joseph Attard
Aug 31st 2012, 15:40
GonziPn ma jaghtix kaz x'jghidu esperti bhal Prof Brincat, ahseb u ara kemm jisma' lic-cittadin komuni!
Barney Camilleri
Aug 31st 2012, 15:34
Sir,
Yesterday I followed the latest U.S. Republican Convention. It was Clint Eastwood turn to hit the stage and he preferred to ask questions to an empty chair with an imagined president Obama resting. For all the questions Clint Eastwood asked he had no answer, and only gave the effect that the person on the chair told him to: 'Shut-up'.
My goodness we have a quiescence opposition and a governing party who believe they have superiority scope to run our country. Thank God we still have gentlemen that will stand and say 'I quit'. Then again why don't we continue to Shut up. After all this country of ours has lost its identity and is run by the few for the few. I assume what Clint Eastwood was hearing was: I don't care what you say just 'Shut up' I am always right.
If Clint Eastwood could be here I ask him was it Obama, or our politicians who kept saying 'Shut-up' I have all the answers?
Leo Said
Aug 31st 2012, 17:23
@ Barney
A "governing party" (in a democratic country) always has a (democratically delivered) "superiority scope to run" the respective (democratic) country.
Moreover, Dr. Stephen Brincat, as I understand, has only said "I quit" with respect to an administrative office. The gentleman says, as quoted in the newspaper article, that "he will continue in his post as a consultant oncologist". I would be inclined to believe that the latter post is more lucrative than an administrative office.
Leo Said
Aug 31st 2012, 15:27
quote: "“When it was made clear last week that this advice was not being accepted I resigned with immediate effect,” he said, adding that he will continue in his post as a consultant oncologist."
I might have misunderstood some aspect of this whole story and I stand to be corrected.
DR. STEPHEN BRINCAT FURTHER GUARANTEES HIS SERVICES AS A CONSULTANT ONCOLOGIST and hence there should be NO DISADVANTAGE for patients of his.
I understand that Dr. Stephen Brincat has only resigned from his administrative office as director of a particular department.
It is accepted practice that a medical specialist offers his/her professional advice to his/her administrative superiors, BUT, it is also accepted practice, licit and legitimate that the respective administration has the final word, be it correct, be it wrong.
Many centres of medical excellence in the European Union nowadays have a Haemato-Oncology Unit. With respect to Malta, the Royal Marsden Hospital in London is a specific focus.
The Royal Marsden Hospital has a singular Haemato-Oncology Unit:
http://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/consultants-teams-wards/clinical-units/pages/haemato-oncology-unit.aspx
It is rather pitiful that the PL spokeslady for health strives to make political capital out of issues, which she cannot really understand.
H. J. Grech
Aug 31st 2012, 14:37
I have been a patient of Dr. Stephen Brincat for the last 15 years and I can assure all readers how competent he is in the field of oncology. Moreover, during this period of time I've had the opportunity to get to know personally quite a number of medical staff - consultants, doctors and nurses - at Boffa Hospital, all of whom are well trained and dedicated. If the chairman resigns there's something fishy. If he resigns for policy making reasons, then I'm sorry to say, the authorities don't have any idea of what the word cancer means, entails and its consequences. I'm not a medical doctor but I was forced to do self diagnosis in order to fight and win my battle against cancer. When we discuss blood diseases, lymphomas and leukemia are normally put together, but can you classify them with other so called blood diseases such as: anemia, septicemia, hemophilia and others? When I think that practically every family in Malta has met with the problem of cancer and everything boils down to politics, then I'm sorry to say ... we've learnt nothing.
Joe Grech
Aug 31st 2012, 14:37
Profs. Brincat ilu f'dan il-qasam ghall numru ta' snin. Jaf ezatt x'ikun jaghmel u x'ikun qed jghid, Kliemu jiswa mitqlu deheb. Ikkura bosta pazzjenti Maltin u Ghawdex u min wettaq kliemu hareg sodisfat. Ghaliex il-gvern qed icahdu professjonisti hutna Maltin jaghmlihom bsaten fir-roti u ma ihallihomx jaqdu dmirhom favur is-sahha tac-cittadin?
Joanne Micallef
Aug 31st 2012, 14:22
I seriously doubt the 'Health Minister u tal madwar' know more than Prof Brincat, and since he did resign, another very rare fact on this island, he must have some very serious doubts and concerns re the exciting changes and developments to occur.
James Tyrrell
Aug 31st 2012, 14:20
Obviously as is usual in Malta the Government know better than the man who is actually doing the job!
L Farrugia
Aug 31st 2012, 14:15
I would first of all like thank Profs Brincat for the services he has always offered at Boffa. Profs and all the staff at Boffa are to be admired. Our mother spent quite some weeks coming in and out of Boffa six years ago and my sisters and myself will never forget the way she was treated and how kind everyone was to us. Keep up the good work Steve.the authorities should be ashamed of themselves.
R Axisa
Aug 31st 2012, 14:06
Many times, during his speeches, I hear Dr Gonzi say that he has complete confidence in the Maltese workers (ghandi fiducja fil-haddiem Malti). The proof of the pudding is in the eating! Hemm bahar jaqsam mill-kliem ghall-fatti!
M Grima
Aug 31st 2012, 13:59
This is another colourful certificate to Minister Joe Cassar with the few he has already collected which depicts the sorry state of our health department. I suppose that Prof. Brincat who is the leading Oncology specialist on the Island and the head of the Oncology Unit at Mater Dei Hospital knows what he is talking about, but as usual our Health minister knows it all. And the result is that we have lost the expert advice and management of such an esteemed professional. Well done Joe Cassar, perhaps you will get a nomination for the best health minister within the EU.
John Zammit
Aug 31st 2012, 13:51
Since Dr. Cassar took over as minister of health he committed a large number of blunders Sorry To say I had a different opinion of him, but with all this it would be better for us if he resigns. We lost one of Malta leading expert on cancer. The government is always preaching about dialogue but as Dr Brincat said even the national wanted to keep a secret. The elections are nearing so to buy some votes from Gozo he wanted to provide chemotherapy services in Gozo without having the necessary training
e
David Ellul
Aug 31st 2012, 13:41
“As always, no one is accountable,” he said.
That one sentence explains much.
Victor Pulis
Aug 31st 2012, 13:26
"His resignation was accepted, providing the opportunity for these new, exciting changes to occur and for all the developments that have long been planned to finally be rolled out,
This is tantamount to saying good riddance! What cheek. We are throwing away valid experts to replace them with pseudo geniuses.
Peppi Borg
Aug 31st 2012, 13:08
As Prof.Brincat clearly stated hundreds of thousand of euros were wasted. One may ask how many other hundreds of thousands were wasted in other government departments? Dr.Cassar seems to pretend to know better than Prof.Brincat who is a respected Oncologist even internationally! Minister Cassar, this is just too much. Too much havoc which falls under your responsibility is being created. Minister Cassar would better present scientific studies to sustain his decision to merge the oncology and haematology departments. Health care is not just having the prime minister mentioning Herceptin every Sunday but involves serious planning and consultation with the experts.
Lucienne Dimech
Aug 31st 2012, 12:51
The only people who will suffer are the already suffering patients. On the other hand if prof brincat resigned I am sure he had his reasons.
A Tonna
Aug 31st 2012, 12:48
So the bill-board showing Gonzi with his hands on his ears is really suitable in this case.
DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,
Aug 31st 2012, 12:47
Are the Authorities immune from being investigated in many such cases cropping up or the various Police Squads adopt the bullying style only with the apparent, weaker sections of society ? Another case of abuse being perpetrated by the authorities at the people`s expenses, no ?
Does the AG stay mum on such preoccupying matters to say the least ?
Charles Sammut. (NY)
Aug 31st 2012, 12:45
As if cancer patients don't have enough problems to worry about. This is the reason why the Conservatives in the USA are against Obacare. They went the Government out of the Health Care system because when the Government runs something it does not bode well for the man on the street.
Ramon Casha
Aug 31st 2012, 12:52
The conservatives are against health care because they were told to be. They actually believe that a commercial company which exists only to make money cares more about their well being than the government.
Janet Pullicino
Aug 31st 2012, 12:57
@ Charles Sammut
no the republicans are against obamacare because they could not care less about those who cannot afford to take out insurance. as far as they are concerned the poor can die in the gutter.
Chris Gatt
Aug 31st 2012, 13:17
This comment would be funny if it weren't so sad. The Health system in the States is great if you can afford it. It is definitely NOT the best in the world (see teh WHO for more info), especially if you can't afford insurance. Europe's state run health system is not only more equitable but is in many ways superior.
Mr Sammut is obviously also totally misinformed about Obamacare. But then again Mr Sammut probably also believes the tosh Paul Ryan said at the GOP conference a few days ago. It is the Ryan voucher system which does not bode well for the American man in the strett
Mario Tabone-Vassallo
Aug 31st 2012, 12:43
Biex f'suq maghluq bhal f'Malta, jirrizenja direttur mediku, tassew pass kbir. Ma nafx id-dettalji tan-nuqqas ta' qbil. Nghid biss li lil dad-direttur ili nafu ghexieren ta' snin. Zgur mhux ser jiehu pass bhal dan biex ifixkel lill-gvern, altru. Niehu l-impressjoni li dan gvern li jghassad wahdu, bhal meta ta lill-ministri zieda ta' iktar minn Euro 500 fil-gimgha bil-mohbi; biegh bank bi prezz li kien inqas minn kemm tiswa' l-propjeta immobbiljarja li ghaddilu u issa jien moqdi inqas minn dal-bank milli kont qabel; ghazel tahwida f'Delimara; hallas ghall-bini ta' Sptar li kienu ser jibnulna b'xejn u kieku mhux ghax lebbithom l-hemm Alfred Sant [GRAZZI], l-ghajdut kien li kien ser jaghtih lil kumpanija rrappurtata mdahhla f'hasil ta' flus u korruzzjoni; ta art lill-Gharab biex jibnulna SmartCity u minflok issa jridu jbieghuha lill-Maltin biex jibnu fuqha u l-eluf ta’ mpiegi baqghu duhhan fl-ghajnejn; hallewna b'sistema tal-elettriku tal-biki, tat-tielet dinja; imbaghad iberbqu l-flejjes f'xaqq ghall-Belt flok bieb u tijatru bla saqaf; dahhlu xarabankijiet li jibblukkaw it-traffiku u jkidduk; sikwit ihallu l-pazjenti minghar medicine; pazjenti jistennew snin ghall-operazzjoni u xhur twal ghal appantament; sparpaljaw miljuni f'toroq u ma ssibx wahda bla toqob, l-iktar mat-tappieri; ghabbew il-pajjiz b’piz ta’ iktar minn 70,000 il-post battal u ghadhom iridu jeqirdu iktar ambjet b’bini; hallewna b’sistema gudizzjarja fejn il-kazi jdumu l-iktar ma jinqatghu skont ricerka f’pajjizi Ewropej, Amerikani u tal-Lvant nofsani; kissru n-newtralita li titlob il-Kostituzzjoni; kienu qed jimmanuvraw minn wara dhar kulhadd dwar li Status Of Forces Agreement…Ghajjejt nikteb, filguni, jisoghobija li dad-Direttur qatgha qalbu li jirnexxilu jfiehem lil dal-ghorrief li taw lilhom infushom zieda ta’ iktar minn Euro 500 fil-gimgha
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Aug 31st 2012, 12:35
"His resignation was accepted, providing the opportunity for these new, exciting changes to occur and for all the developments that have long been planned to finally be rolled out, also in order to bring this department to acceptable international standards, in preparation for the new cancer centre,” the spokesman said.2 a load of B....S...! Stephen Brincat knows what he is doing. He is a briliant man and I am sure he has the patients' interets at heart. Some civil servants are more keen to please their political masters.
Matthew Tanti
Aug 31st 2012, 12:33
Qed nitilfu hafna rizorsi, anka rizorsi umani ghax dan il-gvern mhux lest li jisma.
mike fenech
Aug 31st 2012, 12:31
Mr. Camilleri do you see why I called the GonziPN government a Democratic Dictatorship in my comment yesterday ???
Lara Vella
Aug 31st 2012, 12:28
Mijiet ta' eluf ta' ewro mohlija, min ha jerfa r-responsabilita' ta' din il-hela? Min ha jhallas ghal din il-hela? Joe Cassar jew il-poplu innocenti?
Mrs Louise Calleja
Aug 31st 2012, 11:32
How sad - Stephen, someone so competent and totally dedicated. What a loss!
Ronnie Callus
Aug 31st 2012, 11:30
Mela sew ! l-ewwel kellna dik ta' l-ghazla tal-proffesjonisti zbaljata u issa ghandna din tal-cancer ukoll. Sa' fejn naf jien Profs Brincat ilu f'dan il-qasam ghall numru ta'snin, allura kif naqbdu u niehdu decizzjonijiet nofshom imsajjra, jew impossibli li wiehed jimmanigjhom.. X'ma kunx hawn tensjoni fuq il-postijiet tax-xoghol ?? Imbaghad imsieken il-haddiema u iktar w'iktar il-patzjenti . M'hemmx vizzjoni cara bhalma gara fid-Dipartiment ta' l-Edukazzjoni fejn saru hafna Workshops fli-skejjel Secondarji biex tiga mghallma t-Technology Education ( fejn qamu l-belli euro) u hafna minnhom spiccaw biex inghalqu minnhabba s-sistema tal-kulleggi. Din nghidula serjeta ??? x'ma jkollhux deficit dan il-pajjiz b'din it-tmexxija fejn hadd mhu accountable u qiesu ma' qed jigri xejn. Miskien il-poplu li t-taxxa tieghu qed tinhela fil-vojt.
Christopher Grech
Aug 31st 2012, 11:27
Chemotherapy is so appallingly harmful, that it begs the question, why are they still using it?
If you would ask Canadian doctors if they would use chemotherapy on themselves, some 80% would not.
So, the conclusion is that if you use it, you are better off. Apple founder Jobs chose alternative medicine.
One might ask, so what are the alternative? I have quite a few in mind. Cayce speaks of an alkaline diet. Eat raw foods, and pray to God for help!
tony abela
Aug 31st 2012, 11:23
More human resources lost! In this tiny country this brain drain cannot be tolerated any more.
While a political policy has to be adhered too by the Civil Servants after they make their technical arguments very clear and in writing, then the politician has to carry the full irresponsibility. On the other hand, if the Civil Servant cannot live with that political decision, whether right or wrong, there is no other way then to resign. The problem is that in this case the patients are the looser.
Please can the Health authorities open their eyes and look after the good welfare of its citizens? With his experience and qualifications, I should think that Dr Brincat had good grounds not to agree with the policy line of the present government.
Mr Victor Borg
Aug 31st 2012, 11:11
The reasons listed by Stephen Brincat chime with my experience, as a patient, in the health service. My family has suffered from medical mistakes - once they even gave my wife the wrong vaccine - and other wretched services, and whenever I took issue with the service or medical lapses, I was simply dismissed as someone who is "too sensitive" or even someone who is a trouble-maker, always finding problems. So, instead of investigating my claims and finding out if I am right or wrong, and doing something about the faults I had highlighted, they simply dismiss the person who complains as if something is wrong with that person, for having the temerity to speak out.
Peter Murray
Aug 31st 2012, 11:09
The arrogance of those elevated.law-making minds occupying high office knows no bounds nor does their unaccountability also it would appear!
Robert Lewis
Aug 31st 2012, 11:09
Profs Stephen Brincat ignored. This is not news, it has been said several times by FD but now it has been stated by a very dedicated and professional Professor. Ministers are there because of political reason, nothing else and I doubt whether they have the slightest clue of whats going on. Its a shame to loose a person of that calibre. Now replace him with some idiot who is politically involved, mhux hekk sejrin.
Mr J Xerri
Aug 31st 2012, 11:04
.... and of course as usual the Minister is always infallible!!! Or is it a question of might is right?
Francis Bonello
Aug 31st 2012, 14:01
.........I think that might is right, they why the government bulldozes everything.
Joe A. Borg
Aug 31st 2012, 11:04
First of all I would like to thank Dr. Brincat for the impeccable service that him and his stuff deliver in a hospital hampered with huge problems.
Secondly, the Government has treated our health as a political ploy and is simply interested in wasting time and money inaugurating silly things to have his name engraved on a plaque instead of focusing on the real problems that this country is facing.
We ALL know the extent of the spread of cancer in our distressed society and we all know the cause of this. This government has done very little to protect us citizen from these allergens that are killing us slowly.
I admire Dr. Brincat to the fact that he refused to take on more on his plate as he DOES NOT want to in anyway jeopardise the quality of service he currently tenders to cancer patients.
Keep up the good work Dr. Brincat and thank you for your enduring support. I can confirm this from personal experience as can do the other thousands of patients that had to endure the anguish of cancer.
JJ Agius
Aug 31st 2012, 11:02
He who do his job right has to resign. !.He who stands up to his Minister has to resign!.No problem its
allways the patient that suffers! Its allways the worker who suffers! 25 years in Power Have to be "YES MINISTER" untill the sun goes down slowly slowly slowly!
J.J
joseph saliba
Aug 31st 2012, 10:54
Jien ma nifhimx. U min ma jifhimx (mhux qed ngħid ghal Dr. Brincat u lanqas għal Ministru) ikun prużuntuż jekk jagħmel ġudizzju. Aktar u aktar jekk dak il-ġudizzju jkun ivvizzjat minn passjoni politika. Ħafna drabi l-esperti veri ma jkunux jaqblu. MIn ma jifhimx għandu dritt jitkellem ukoll u għalkemm ikollu l-vot meta tasal elezzjoni ikun aħjar kieku nistmgħuh ta li hu.
David Caruana
Aug 31st 2012, 10:47
The PN Government has truly gone to the dogs.
Reginald Borg
Aug 31st 2012, 10:33
SB,
decizjoni irresponsabbli li l-pazjenti jistghu eventwalment ibatu minnha.
Mitt bniedem mitt fehma.
Kemm hemm nies li fil-kuxjenza taghhom ma jaqblux ma' certa policies, pero' jibqghu jaqdu.
U nghiduha cara u tonda: la hemm MLCP involuta, allura jista' jkunu li jkun hemm riha ta' politika.
F'dan il-pajjiz kulhadd jaf kollox, kulhadd irid jikkmanda.
Apprezzamenti mill-inqas.
Min qallek, SB, li inti ghandek ragun?
Imbaghad, fid-dinja hadd mhu indispensabbli!
Hawn min jahseb hekk u nies simili ssibhom f'kull settur.
Chris Gatt
Aug 31st 2012, 13:26
Perhaps Mr Borg should explain how Dr Brincat's decision is an irresponsible one. He is not withdrawing his services as a doctor/consultant but as an administrator who has been asked to effect a policy he does not agree with. If anything Dr Brincat should be praised for manning up and stepping aside. Why do I suspect that Mr Borg has got the wrong end of the stick and is seeing things through blue-tinted glasses?
Eddy Privitera
Aug 31st 2012, 10:21
Is is quite obvious that the " rush job" to set up chemotherapy services in Gozo - "in under a month"- is due to the fact that a general election could be held at any time, once Dr. Franco Debono, and possibly Dr. JPO, may force a general election when the budget is presented !
Once again this confirms that we have a governing by crisis administration !
J Martinelli
Aug 31st 2012, 14:28
Governing by crisis?
Reminds me of the seven year doctors lockout! No crisis there!
We welcome an early election so we can rid ourselves of trouble makers who would probably be most welcome at the Labour Party which is full of them, anyway, old and new(er).
Leo Said
Aug 31st 2012, 14:59
Mr. Privitera,
How would Mr. Franco Mercieca react, if there were no facilities for chemotherapy service in Gozo?
Victor Rodenas
Aug 31st 2012, 10:16
If one person tells you that you are drunk,..ignore him.....if two people tell you that you are drunk,.. ignore them,.....but if many people tell you that you are drunk ,........well ,you must be drunk.
Joseph Borg
Aug 31st 2012, 10:11
That's what I call an HONEST person. His priority is patients and professional service and NOT MONEY and POWER!
Mr Hans Borg
Aug 31st 2012, 10:03
Kudos to Prof. Brincat who had the guts to speak out about gross incompetences within this sensitive sector. Other heads of department should follow suit, but instead they choose to candidate themselves with GonziPN for the next general elections.
R. Borg
Aug 31st 2012, 09:59
Miskien il-pazzient. Ministru kemm se dum taghmel buzzullotti. Ghamel il-wissa ghal min hu kapaci.
Paul Ellul
Aug 31st 2012, 09:58
Our beautiful tiny island Country continues to suffer needlessly.
Thousands of similar instances as this one above, made over the years have overtaken our ability to pay for these costly mistakes.
There is no communication or consultation. There is surely no consensus on decision taken. there is only arrogance, waste of resource and really bad management.
Is is painfully obvious that this administration has created a national debt of almost €5,000,000,000 € 5 Billion).
The Maltese tax payers continue to pay through their nose, and Government revenue in 2011 was €2,320,000,000 (€2.32 Billion) due to the style of management.
And the people ask, for how long can we continue paying for these mistakes?
It takes a lot of courage to stand up for what is right. No wonder the situation above continues to develop and in a similar case, Parliamentary majority is in tatters.
j brincat
Aug 31st 2012, 09:55
"As a result, decisions were taken that wasted “hundreds of thousands or euro”, Prof. Brincat told The Times"
What does the Minister has to say about this very serious statement?
Seems that the Health Department (Mater Dei etc) is never out of the limelight!
(jb)
Josephine Borg
Aug 31st 2012, 11:57
I suspect that the Minister is allowing himself to be led - and then he has to carry the can. Wake up Dr Cassar.
J Farrugia
Aug 31st 2012, 09:45
Unbelievable, if the facts mentioned above by Profs Brincat are true which i have no doubt they are, we need an election yesterday, this Govt has done it's time things like this cannot keep happening with our hard earned taxes. I'd also like to say a big thank you for helping my father through cancer Profs, thank you is still not enough.
Victor Vella
Aug 31st 2012, 09:45
As a result, decisions were taken that wasted “hundreds of thousands or euro”, Prof. Brincat told The Times.- Perhaps that`s why the health minister gave back 7million euros to Gonzi not to waste money.
“When that advice is repeatedly ignored, the position becomes untenable,” he said.-This is the arrogance of this regime. A mafia style of leadership. Il padrone is absolute.
He resigned because of clashes over policy and disorganisation at the Sir Paul Boffa cancer hospital in Floriana.- People in authority are treated as zeroes. The regime is absolute
“His resignation was accepted, providing the opportunity for these new, exciting changes to ........ Can somebody understand this statement. If Profs Brincat tendered his resignation what provisions and what opportunities the regime is expecting ?
He disagreed with the policy to deliberately keep the National Cancer Plan a secret from the professionals that were meant to execute it until the day it was published.- This is democracy at its best!!!! It seems that other form of aliens are executing the plan, except human beings.
“Without the slightest bit of planning we were ordered to go to Zammit Clapp. After three years of useless planning we were then told we’d be going to Mater Dei.- First the regime makes gross mistakes and then the oppressed have to suffer the highhandedness, arrogance and incompetency of GonziPN bad planning while people fork out monies and pay their oppressors 600€a week for making a mess of everything. For sure GonziPN do not work!!!!!
.
TONY FORMOSA
Aug 31st 2012, 11:08
This guy Vella who seems to be an expert on every single matter under heaven continously shows his love
for GonziPN. It is a pity that Mr. Know-all never seem to grow up. What a way!
TONY FORMOSA
TONY FORMOSA
B. Storace
Aug 31st 2012, 09:44
As usual, due to infighting and hard headedness the patients will suffer........................
silvano vassallo
Aug 31st 2012, 09:28
silvan
If that story is true than you have guts
very good and thank you for your services .
Mr John Montague
Aug 31st 2012, 09:27
This means that whoever fills this vacancy will be a stool pigeon, unless matters are handled, and also have to resign.
Please choose the reason of your report below: