Chemo axed for some patients

Patients will be referred back to their own doctors instead of being put onto waiting lists. File photo / Herald on Sunday

A shortage of oncologists has forced the central North Island cancer treatment service to axe chemotherapy for some patients.

MidCentral District Health Board said it would no longer accept referrals for patients who were less likely to benefit from the treatments, Radio New Zealand reported.

Two of its five medical oncologist positions are vacant and the situation is not expected to improve in the next six months.

The DHB has told the Whanganui, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki and Tairawhiti boards that it will no longer offer chemotherapy for 14 types of cancer.

Instead of patients being put on waiting lists, they will be referred back to their own doctors.

- NZPA