Charity assured airport patient lounge will stay

The charity raised £15,000 to create and furnish the existing space

A cancer charity has been assured that a new quiet space at Liverpool Airport for Manx residents receiving UK hospital treatment will be provided, its chairwoman has said.

The Manx Breast Cancer Support Group had previously been told their "quiet space" would be turned into a private lounge, with four seats available for patients.

However, Julie Stokes said the airport's chief executive John Irving had since confirmed a "suitable area" would be created for all patients to use near to the current space.

A cancer charity has said it was "great news" Liverpool John Lennon Airport has committed to a new space for Manx residents receiving UK hospital treatment.

Ms Stokes said the confirmation was "great news" as it was "an extremely important service, which is extremely well used by Manx patients".

Hospitals in north-west England provide specialist treatment for Isle of Man residents when needed.

'Peace and tranquility'

An airport spokesman previously said it was "committed to providing a quiet room for cancer patients at the airport" and changes were "currently being made to the terminal to improve the customer experience which includes relocating the existing facility”.

The Manx Breast Cancer Support Group had invested £15,000 in the space at the airport, which is located in the upper level of the departure lounge in the terminal, next to a prayer room.

Ms Stokes said she understood the current space would remain open for the next six to eight weeks, after which the new space would be ready so "nothing will change for patients in the next few months".

She said the airport was a "few weeks away from getting into the detail of the design and will ensure that they can provide the right space that works".

Patients were "so happy" to be reassured a dedicated space would continue to provide "peace and tranquillity away from the masses" for people who had received treatment such as chemotherapy, or had been for difficult appointments, she added.