A medical oncologist working in Brandon, Manitoba, is leaving his position after years of struggling with excessive workloads and insufficient institutional support. Dr. Brady Anderson, who has served patients at the Western Manitoba Cancer Centre for four years, will leave oncology on November 13 and move to a hospitalist position at Brandon Regional Health Centre.
Anderson described the decision as deeply disappointing, explaining that treating cancer patients in his home region had been a lifelong professional ambition. His personal experiences with family members affected by cancer motivated him to return to the area and provide much-needed medical services.
However, he said persistent staffing shortages and a lack of additional resources eventually led to professional burnout. As the only medical oncologist based outside Winnipeg, Anderson was responsible for overseeing major treatment decisions, diagnoses and changes to patient care plans. He also said he was effectively on call continuously, resulting in substantial unpaid overtime.
According to Anderson, repeated discussions about providing additional assistance, including nurse practitioners, clinical assistants and physician assistants, failed to produce meaningful improvements. He remained in the position despite these difficulties because he feared patients across western Manitoba would experience interruptions in cancer treatment.
Doctors Manitoba spokesperson Keir Johnson said the province has 23 medical oncologists, including just one based in Brandon. He added that Manitoba has approximately 20 per cent fewer medical oncologists per capita than the national average.
The provincial government said another oncologist recently joined the healthcare system and is expected to assume Anderson’s responsibilities. Nevertheless, Anderson expressed concerns about the transition, saying he had received limited information about future arrangements and questioned whether the new doctor would face similarly demanding working conditions.
Brandon West MLA Wayne Balcaen also raised concerns about the departure, warning that it could affect thousands of cancer patients throughout western Manitoba. Meanwhile, Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara said the government is collaborating with Prairie Mountain Health to attract and retain more healthcare professionals in the region.
Keywords
Manitoba healthcare, Brandon oncologist, Dr Brady Anderson, CancerCare Manitoba, medical staff shortages, cancer treatment, physician burnout, western Manitoba, healthcare crisis, medical oncology, Prairie Mountain Health, cancer patients, physician recruitment
Yoast Meta Description
A Brandon oncologist is leaving his position over staff shortages and inadequate support, raising concerns about cancer care across western Manitoba.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE