Former oncology chief recalls two chemo toxicity deaths

Stephen Brincat recalls two cases of patients dying as a result of chemo treatment given in Gozo “more than 15 years ago”.

Gozo General Hospital. According to Prof. Brincat, there were at least two deaths as a result of chemotherapy treatment administered in Gozo.
Gozo General Hospital. According to Prof. Brincat, there were at least two deaths as a result of chemotherapy treatment administered in Gozo.

A meeting held today between the former oncology department chief Stephen Brincat, and the health authorities, has resulted in a press statement from the ministry declaring that Brincat's allegations on two cases of chemo-toxicity deaths had occurred over 15 years ago.

"Following a meeting held earlier today between health authorities and Dr. Stephen Brincat, with reference to the comments made in the press about people dying from chemotherapy toxicity in Gozo, the Department of Health has been informed that the former head of the Oncology Department can recall two cases where patients passed away having had treatment in Gozo against the advice of their consultant.

"These cases occurred more than 15 years ago. At the time there was no specialist register in place to stipulate the administration of chemotherapy. The introduction of specialist registers since EU accession provides for appropriate safeguards for patients in the overseeing of administration of chemotherapy," the ministry said.

The health ministry will not be taking allegations by Brincat to the police, until it makes its own verifications as part of an internal inquiry by the health department.

A health ministry spokesperson told this newspaper that the ministry, in conjunction with a number of other government departments, is currently in the process of investigating year by year what actually took place in the last 15 years and determine whether Brincat's allegations are true or false

Prof. Brincat claims he had repeatedly advised the ministry over the chemotherapy administered by inexperienced staff at the Gozo hospital, which he says led to the death of cancer patients.

He also said he resisted repeated attempts by the Health Ministry to introduce a chemotherapy service in Gozo "due to the lack of expertise" in the area and did it in the interest of patients.

But he denied claims by the ministry that he hadn't informed them of this situation. "The investigations are in their early stages but once verified, the ministry will act accordingly," the health ministry spokesperson said of Brincat's claims. "However, every health professional is duty-bound to report such cases so if Brincat knew about the situation he should have reported it the minute he was aware that the deaths were occurring."

"After this experience I did not allow chemo to be given in Gozo, resisting repeated attempts by the Health Ministry to introduce the service without the necessary expertise and resources."

Brincat however did emphasise that the deaths were a result of lack of experience and not due to sheer negligence. Brincat stated that the cases happened 15 years ago and he stuck to his guns to the day he resigned, repeatedly advising against chemotherapy treatment in Gozo.

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15 years ago or more than 15 years ago. Please report what was said by Dr. Brincat exactly. More than 15 years ago could be a PN government. 15 years ago could be a Labour government.
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15 years ago? Under the labour govt....