A Drummondville skin cancer survivor says she can't find a dermatologist to help immediately in her follow-up recovery, after five months of calls and research and an urgent prescription from her doctor.
Suzanne Roy had a cancerous lesion removed earlier this year. Her doctor told her to get check-ups with a dermatologist every six months in case the cancer returns.
Roy said she was flabbergasted that her local dermatologist gave her a wait time of four years - the same clinic that could give her a Botox appointment in a week or two.
In a Facebook message, Roy told CJAD 800 that dermatologists should put off esthetic appointments for medical cases like hers. She said it's absurd that if she has a prescription from her doctor regarding a skin cancer follow-up, that should be a priority for the dermatologist.
Paul Brunet of the Quebec Council for the Protection of Patients agrees.
"We've heard of problems of access but now it's become so ridiculous and shameful on the part of this profession of dermatologists," said Brunet in an interview with CJAD 800.
"This is shameful in Quebec in 2018 to still see that kind of problem of wanting to make more money rather than first to serve."
Roy said something must be done to ensure that dermatologists paid with our tax dollars work for the sick and those who need cancer followups.
Both Roy and Brunet are calling on the professional orders and Quebec's health minister to step in.