Airport patient quiet space stays in current home

The quiet space will now undergo a refurbishment

A lounge for Manx people travelling home from hospital appointments in the UK via Liverpool Airport will stay put in an area which was meant to be a temporary home.

The Manx Breast Cancer Support Group fundraised in 2017 to create a "quiet space", which was relocated in January amid a major refurbishment at the facility.

The group had previously raised concerns that the provision would be lost for the duration of the works.

But Carole Male from the charity said the decision to keep the dedicated space in its new location - after security and opposite the toilet area - was "great news" as the area was "perfectly placed" for patients.

The group had invested £15,000 in the space at the airport, which was previously located in the upper level of the departure lounge in the terminal, next to a prayer room.

'Safe place'

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

Ms Male said the area made a "tremendous difference" to those using it, as travel for treatment could involve an early flight and perhaps an hour-long appointment before a long wait in the airport to return home.

She said it was a "safe place" where people could "get a comfortable seat" to rest away from the busy terminal.

The charity has also confirmed that it now planned to refurbish the lounge in its current location.

Ms Male said a "lot of the furniture is looking tired and well used" so the group would be replacing sofas and recliners to update the area in the near future.

The charity has previously said about 12,500 Manx patients travel through the airport each year, with many using the space.