New breast cancer contract “best possible option”

The health ministry last month signed a deal with Aalborg University Hospital after long talks about breast cancer treatment.

Replying to an enquiry last week from MP Bjørn Kalsø about why the contract with the current resident cancer surgeon was terminated, health minister Sirið Stenberg said that the new contract is the best of all options available.

Stenberg denied the claim that the contract with resident cancer surgeon Kristján Skúli Ásgeirsson had been terminated, adding however that the contract is due to expire soon.

She says she has full confidence in the hospital service’s ability to negotiate contracts on special treatment abroad.

The new deal with Aalborg University Hospital includes monthly visits to the National Hospital by a radiologist and a surgeon, who will assess, diagnose and treat breast cancer patients.

With the new system, some 70 percent of all surgeries will be performed at the National Hospital.

Patients requiring reconstructive breast surgery will, however, be sent to Aalborg for a one-off procedure, after which any subsequent operations will be carried out in the Faroes.

Translated by prosa.fo