Oncology patients still wait too long, even after head resigns

The reason for the long-term lack of beds and postponed surgeries is mostly missing medical staff.

The National Oncology Institute, stock photo.The National Oncology Institute, stock photo. (Source: TASR)

Patients in the National Oncology Institute (NOÚ) in Bratislava still wait longer for surgeries, the Sme daily writes on April 18. The facility, unique in Slovakia, allegedly lacks medical staff, especially nurses.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

Not even the resignation of the Institute’s head, MP for the ruling Smer party, Jozef Valocký, has improved the situation. Valocký leaves NOÚ as of April 30, and he announced it at the beginning of the month.

What is behind the situation?

The worst-hit wards are anaesthesiology and intensive medicine, which needed space for seven patients on April 16 but only had a bed for one. A doctor who wished to remain anonymous told Sme that one of the patients came to him crying, saying that she can already feel the tumour – after weeks of her surgery being postponed. However, the acute and intensive medicine ward has no free bed: instead of the seven needed beds, it just has a single spot for an oncology patient. The doctor opined that the biggest reason behind this lamentable situation is the lack of staff, especially nurses. Last year alone, 15 doctors and 25 nurses left the Institute, according to the doctor. Unlike doctors, the nurses have not been replaced.

SkryťTurn off ads

Thus, the waiting periods were extended from four (or six, at the most) to seven weeks.

After Sme sent questions to the NOÚ, the management started investigating who among employees leaked the problem to media, instead of trying to solve the dire situation.

Top stories

Foreigners' Police Department on Regrútska 4, Bratislava-Vajnory.

News digest: 20 questions for Foreigners' Police

New Zealand citizen assaulted in Bratislava, ex-interior minister taken to court, and another 'History Talks' edition.


11 h
Volkswagen will make all-electric versions of the Porsche Cayenne luxury SUV.

News Digest: Volkswagen Slovakia to produce all-electric luxury SUV

LGBT+ minority could face new difficulties, a suspect is charged in the Daniel Tupý murder case.


24. mar
Filip Toška holding chard in the hydroponic Hausnatura farm.

How a Mayan doomsday prophecy took a Slovak to hi-tech agriculture

Hydroponic farm run out of former telephone exchange.


9. mar
Bratislava Foreigners' Police department.

FAQ: How to interact with the Foreigners’ Police

Some officers are good – but some, even the police admit, are ‘a disgrace to the force’.


15 h
SkryťClose ad