The former acting chairman of the Oncology Department, Stephen Brincat, resigned of his own accord, the Department of Health - Oncology services, said this evening.
Dr Brincat resigned yesterday saying the government repeatedly ignored his advice on various important issues, making his position untenable.
The health department said in a statement that Dr Brincat's resignation came after a series of issues in which he had a different point of view to that of the department.
Most recently, he had made known his views regarding the provision of chemotherapy services in Gozo.
Dr Brincat, the department said, strongly opposed attempts to introduce chemotherapy services in Gozo in the past months, on the premise that Gozitan medical and nursing staff did not have the required expertise.
However, the Oncology Department never moved any plans to train and supervise such staff.
"It is a pity that the department had to resort to overriding Dr Brincat on this issue which is all about better access and quality of life for Gozitan patients. One of the excuses given has been the lack of medical human resources," the department said.
It said that while other specialities had strong specialist training programmes in place, the Department of Oncology had not yet managed to develop a robust training programme, which was key to recruitment and retention of medical specialist staff.
"Indeed, the post for training coordinator in this speciality was not even filled as nobody applied. In fact it has proved to be an uphill struggle to attract and retain qualified and experienced staff to work within this department both medical as well as supporting paramedical staff."
The department said that in anticipation of the opening of the new oncology centre, it had, for years, been trying to introduce new and innovative practices to ensure quality standards for cancer patients.
An internal report cited the lack of a multidisciplinary approach with teamwork and communication difficulties in the department as important factors hindering the development of a quality system.
"In line with the plans for the new Oncology Centre, there was going to be a consolidation of certain clinical services which have common features and share common practices.
"Hence it was decided to have oncology (solid cancers) and haematology (blood cancers) within the same department and in the same location. Dr Brincat is opposed to the concept that these specialities should share a common clinical administration and promptly handed in his resignation when the call for clinical chair in anticipation of the new Oncology centre was issued."
The department also strongly denied that the National Cancer Plan was not discussed with the professionals.
"On the contrary, the plan was drawn up after an extensive consultation process with all stakeholders which took place over several months and was duly documented.
"Dr Brincat had also, some months ago, resigned from the national committee steering the implementation of the cancer plan because of his reservations on the change in the role description for the new clinical chair position in the new cancer centre.
"Whilst the department acknowledges the clinical contribution that Dr Brincat has given to hundreds of patients over the years, the Department of Health has to continue in its mission of establishing policy and implementing strategy in the sole interest of the patient," it said.