I found Mr Marr’s letter (Your View, November 2) to be inordinately spiteful, this is however emblematic of the local health district’s handling of the Dr Kiran Phadke matter.
The underlying cause of the complaint against Dr Phadke is simply professional jealousy about a competitor’s successful private practice and shows a complete lack of concern for public or private patient welfare.
The 36 serious clinical incidents in the hospitals under Mr Marr’s watch in the last year alone leads one to wonder why these were not all publicly denounced and elevated to the highest level as was done with Dr Phadke.
It might be wise for Mr Marr to devote his time to dealing with these matters of adverse patient outcomes rather than writing letters to the local newspaper.
In the ‘5 minutes’ that he has been in this country it seems his mission is one intent on destroying the life and career of a distinguished senior local physician who set up oncology services in southern Sydney, raising millions of dollars in charity work in the process, training dozens of young physicians and even overseeing the innovation of Breast Care nurses, this having achieved international prominence through the efforts of the McGrath Foundation.
Under Dr Phadke’s watch, St George Hospital is now an internationally recognised centre for oncology research.
Mr Marr, your efforts have been instrumental in frightening already vulnerable and frail people at the worst time of their lives and forever casting doubt about the quality of cancer care in NSW.
The attempts to remove from senior and experienced Oncology physicians, discretion in modifying treatments to factor in age, body weight and the wishes of our patients, the end result of which will sadly lead to poorer patient outcomes.
Dr Phadke’s career is exemplary with not one complaint in 35 years, his patients and colleagues have full confidence in him.
At a time when NSW should be looking to attract and retain top health care professionals, what do oncologists, or those thinking of entering a profession that demands highly individualised and specialised care, make of the example made of Dr Phadke under this regime?
Mr Marr it is time to apologise to Dr Phadke.
Dr Stephen Thornley
My family experienced Dr Phadke’s skill and care, first hand, some years ago when he was my eldest son’s oncologist.
My son found him to be very empathetic and he had a way of imparting information and the steps to be taken to recovery that filled him with confidence and the belief that he would recover.
Everything turned out well, exactly as Dr Phadke predicted. My youngest son now has cancer and we as a family are devastated that he cannot see the same doctor that treated our other son so well.
I’m deeply disappointed that a bureaucrat has taken from my youngest son the opportunity to be advised by one of the kindest, gentlest and most knowledgeable men in the field of oncology at this difficult time.
Octavia Barrington, Port Hacking
Dr Phadke has worked tirelessly over many years to provide and establish a much needed cancer service to the Sutherland Shire.
In doing so Dr Phadke has saved lives and provided dignity to his patients. He should be applauded for his achievements not unjustly disgraced due to ignorance and treacherous ambition.
Ann Schiller, Leader Facebook
