Two oncologists appointed to Algeciras Hospital, can also cover La Línea

ALGECIRAS/LA LÍNEA (Agencies) The recent appointment of two cancer specialists to the Punta de Europa Hospital in Algeciras means that their service can be extended to cancer patients in La Línea, which remained without such cover since the departure of the latest incumbent. The provincial delegate for Health and the Campo de Gibraltar Health Authority said that the original oncologist in Algeciras has returned from paternity leave and a final year resident from the Virgen Macarena Hospital in Sevilla, who intends to finish his residency in Algeciras and remain in the area, are now at work. The authorities said that a restructuring of the oncology service had been established in agreement with the staffing and nursing resources available. This would initially affect check-ups principally and also referrals to these specialists.>

La Línea cancer patients sent to Algeciras

LA LINEA (Agencies) Some 48 cancer patients have been 'derived' to the hospital in Algeciras because La Línea no longer has a cancer specialist. While some may still attend their local hospital for thei regular check-ups because an oncologist from the Puerta del Mar Hospital in Cadiz visits once a week, others have to travel over 22 kilometres on a regular basis to receive treatment and/or therpy. The problem results from the fact that the specialist that had been in attendance until last week had to leave for personal reasons and, according to the hopital's patients' rights organization (plataforma), new contracts do not begin untl next May. The area's health coordinator explained at the time that the idea was to take on 'not one, but two' oncologists but the plataforma replied that cancer patients could not wait over our months to get proper care. Naturally enough, in an election year, the matter has become politicized, with various parties criss-crossing accusations instead getting it solved.