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Planned surgery resumes but Manx Care admits backlog is significant

'Not out of the woods yet' says CEO

Elective surgery will resume at Noble's Hospital today (6 December) after a six week suspension.

Manx Care stopped the majority of planned operations in October blaming 'staffing shortages'.

Urgent, emergency and trauma surgery was maintained as well as cancer operations, some diagnostic procedures and those requiring local anaesthetic.

You can find out more HERE.

However the resumption of operations comes with the caveat, from Manx Care, that levels will only return to those usually seen over the winter period.

The number typically reduces over the winter months to account for 'increased pressure' on the health system at this time of year.

Plans are in place to secure additional capacity from specialist centres in the UK and progress an 'overseas' recruitment campaign.

Chief executive Teresa Cope said: "Quite simply we cannot continue to address our waiting lists and safely deliver patient care here on-Island without doing both of these things.

"Some of the patients on our waiting lists have been waiting for their planned care for too long and this is unacceptable.

"All of the measures we're taking are being taken with the best interests of our patients and service users at the forefront of our minds and will help us to continue developing our services so that they’re sustainable for the long-term benefit of Manx residents."

Speaking to Manx Radio she said Manx Care is conscious of the 'backlog' which it is now working with:

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