Changes at Algoma District Cancer Program

June 19, 2012 - Dr. Malcolm Brigden recently announced his resignation from the Algoma District Cancer Program (ADCP) and will be relocating.

June 19, 2012 - SAH and the ADCP thank Dr. Brigden for his years of service to our patients and wish him well in his new position and future endeavours.

With Dr. Silvana Spadafora as the sole remaining permanent local Oncologist, the ADCP and the Medical Oncology Group of North East Cancer Centre (NECC) have developed an interim plan which will be implemented effective June 25 to assist with patient needs. We wish to acknowledge and thank our colleagues at the NECC and Health Sciences North for their much-needed support during this time.

Under the plan, some new patients will be referred to Oncologists at the NECC in Sudbury for their initial assessment and chemotherapy treatment planning. Once a treatment plan has been developed, patients will receive the majority of their care, including chemotherapy, locally at the ADCP/SAH.

The plan also calls for optimizing the use of the Ontario Telemedicine Network whenever possible for consults with physicians in Sudbury. While there may still be some in-person follow-up visits required to the Oncologist in Sudbury, it is anticipated that this need will be minimized.

“We appreciate the added burden this places on those patients who will have to travel to Sudbury as part of their treatment planning,” states SAH VP and COO, Marie Paluzzi. “However, of paramount importance is that they receive the treatment they need in a timely fashion, which this plan ensures. Additionally, patients will still receive their chemotherapy, and indeed the vast majority of their care, here in Sault Ste. Marie.”

In addition to Dr. Spadafora, the ADCP will also be supported by two GP Oncologists, three locum Oncologists and one other physician who will be available at various times. They will assist with coverage when Dr. Spadafora is unavailable, see patients who may require follow-up and provide support for patients who may need assessment related to their chemotherapy.

This situation will have no impact on patients receiving Radiation Therapy Services as this service is provided by a separate team.

SAH and the ADCP, in concert with the SSM Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee, will continue in our collective efforts to recruit additional Medical Oncologists to the community and Program.

For more information about SAH, visit www.sah.on.ca

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For further information, contact:
Mario Paluzzi
Director of Communications & Public Affairs
Tel: 705.759-3837