Family docs not accepting cancer patients

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 23 (UPI) -- Provincial health authorities in British Columbia, Canada, are concerned by a trend of family doctors refusing to take on new patients with cancer.

The issue came to light when the Vancouver Sun newspaper began publishing complaints it received from people with a history of cancer who were turned away by doctors.

In an interview, British Columbia Health Minister George Abbott said he's disappointed and concerned.

"It is remarkably unfortunate and seems to be highly inappropriate," Abbott said.

Dr. Morris VanAndel, registrar for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia, said doctors will be reminded of their obligations in the college's June bulletin.

"Ill patients have to be looked after. We have a code of ethics that states doctors must intervene when presented with a sick individual," VanAndel said.

Family doctors get $30 from the provincial Medical Services Plan for each patient visit, and that's suspected to be behind patient selectivity, as cancer patients require more time, the report said.