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Doctors are questioning Manitoba’s ability to keep medical talent in the province after a highly specialized physician at Health Sciences Centre handed in her notice.<\/p>\n
The looming departure of interventional radiologist Alessandra Cassano-Bailey from the Winnipeg hospital is “devastating news,” a letter addressed to three people in leadership positions at Shared Health and CancerCare Manitoba said.<\/p>\n
The internal document, dated May 11 and signed by 14 physicians and medical staff, said the resignation comes after her efforts to introduce a liver cancer procedure available elsewhere in Canada went ignored for years.<\/p>\n
“It will be a huge loss to the province if such an excellent and compassionate doctor leaves,” the letter said.<\/p>\n
“Moreover, with continued disappointment and frustration among her colleagues, [Manitoba] will continue to bleed more competent staff.”<\/p>\n
The letter was written by Maged Nashed \u2014 chair of CancerCare Manitoba’s liver disease site group \u2014 on behalf of members of the multidisciplinary team, which develops treatment plans for liver cancer patients.<\/p>\n
Dr. Kelly Kaita, one of the signatories, said few people have Cassano-Bailey’s “cutting-edge” skill set.<\/p>\n
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Cassano-Bailey’s departure is ‘devastating news’ for Manitoba cancer patients, the letter says. (CBC)<\/p>\n
“Without her, we’re left having to deal with probably referring patients out of province or out of country” for some procedures, said Kaita, who is section head of hepatology at the University of Manitoba and also practises at HSC.<\/p>\n
“We’re also left with fewer and fewer interventional radiologists, who themselves are really beginning to burn out from the volume of work.”<\/p>\n
Interventional radiologists use medical imaging such as X-rays and MRIs to perform minimally invasive procedures. Doctors Manitoba said they are the only option for some critically ill patients, including those with life-threatening bleeding or pulmonary embolism, or who present complex oncology cases.<\/p>\n
The organization said Wednesday there will be only five body interventional radiologists in the province after the departure, even though Manitoba likely needs nine or more to meet demand.<\/p>\n
“We are concerned about losing more of these unique specialists if things do not improve,” spokesperson Keir Johnson said in a statement, adding the organization has heard from interventional radiologists who are concerned they lack the equipment, staff and resources needed to care for their patients.<\/p>\n
CBC News reached out to Cassano-Bailey but did not hear back. Nashed declined to comment.<\/p>\n
‘Disappointing outcome’<\/p>\n