Royal College of Surgeons supports Manx surgeon plan

David Anderson said the surgeon would spend most of their time on breast surgery

The Royal College of Surgeons has approved the Manx Department of Health's plans to appoint a new consultant surgeon for the island.

Proposals to replace a breast cancer surgeon with a general one - who has a special interest in breast care - has proved controversial.

Campaigners fear it will have a negative impact on the quality of breast cancer care on the island.

But the Department of Health argues it will actually enhance the service.

David Anderson, the Manx minister for health, said: "We are aware of the high level of public interest in this post and I thought it extremely important that I keep the general public fully appraised of developments.

"I am also aware that there is some concern that this consultant will split their time 50/50 between general surgery and breast surgery. I would like to take the opportunity to clarify that this will not be the case.

"The majority of this consultant's time will be spent providing expert care to breast service patients."

The department said any fears that a general surgeon with a special interest who spends the majority of their time working in that interest would lose their skills in general surgery were "unfounded".

The Department of Health is due to advertise the post after the June sitting of Tynwald.