Afternoon GP appointments suspended for training

Routine appointment will not be available during the afternoon

Afternoon appointments with doctors have been suspended while GPs attend a training session.

There will be no routine slots at the Isle of Man's 14 surgeries between 13:00 and 18:00 GMT.

Practices will however remain open for future appointments to be made and the collection of repeat prescriptions and test results.

Manx Care has urged people with urgent issues during the period to contact their surgery for access to the on call GP in the afternoon.

Held quarterly for more than a decade, the training sessions bring together all of the island's GPs for to discuss developments in patient care.

The health care provider said the Manx Emergency Doctor Service, which is accessed by phone, would operate as usual from 18:00, and treatment was also available at the Minor Injuries and Illnesses Unit at Ramsey Cottage Hospital until 20:00.

People have also been urged to use services available with the community, including the minor ailments scheme run by pharmacies, and the minor eye conditions scheme provided by SpecSavers.

Those without their own dentist can also contact the Community Dental Service during the period.