Cardiology clinics reinstated for patients in Manx Care U-turn

The clinics will now go ahead on Monday and Wednesday next week

Appointments for cardiology patients have been reinstated in a U-turn by Manx Care after some had been told they were to face a year-long wait.

The health provider has asked those booked for the clinics on Monday and Wednesday next week to now attend.

Manx Care previously cancelled and rearranged the sessions for 2024 due to a lack of consultants.

The changes had angered some patients, including Paul Hay who said he felt he had been left "to struggle on his own".

In an update, Manx Care said any patients who had an appointment cancelled this week would also be contacted to have it rearranged as soon as possible.

A spokeswoman said the existing cardiology team would cover the reinstated clinics from 9 October to "try to address the high demand placed upon the service".

The health care provider has apologised for the concern caused by the cancellations and said it hoped that patients would be reassured by the reinstatement of clinics, she said.

Douglas resident Mr Hay, who has a heart condition that has affected his ability to work as a painter and decorator, had seen his appointment delayed until October 2024.

Before the clinics were reinstated he said the long-wait had left him feeling "alone and stuck, and there's nothing I can do to help myself".

Paul Hay said waiting years for treatment has left him mentally scarred

When a letter arrived to move Mr Hay's appointment to next year, the 49-year-old said he initially thought the new date was an mistake.

He said: "My condition isn't as bad as other people's, so something needs to be done, and it has to stop or people are going to die."

Mr Hay said if he had the money he would leave the Isle of Man for the UK to be able to access better healthcare.

Vickie Edwin-Reed from Colby said her 77-year-old mother Michele Edwin had also faced a wait until October 2024 for an appointment to discuss the results of a recent heart scan.

"I feel like they are looking at her age and saying she is not important enough, and that is frightening," Ms Edwin-Reed added.

A Manx Care spokeswoman said the clinics were operating with two substantive cardiology consultants and efforts were underway to recruit a third.

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