THE Royal College of Surgeons has approved the Department of Health's plans to appoint a general surgeon with a specialist interest in breast surgery.

Once appointed the surgeon will replace Ishrak Hamo the current consultant breast surgeon who is a locum.

Health Minister David Anderson MHK 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."

According to Mr Anderson this 50/50 split is not applicable to the Isle of Man and there is no intention for the new consultant to spend half of their working week conducting general surgery.

The department has stated that the Royal College of Surgeons advisor and director for professional affairs for the north-west, Mr Michael Zeiderman, has acknowledged this and approved the job description for the post on this basis.

Concern that a general surgeon who has a special interest but who spends the majority of their time working in a special interest area will become unskilled in general surgery is also unfounded according to the department.

Stephen Upsdell, the medical director at Noble's Hospital, said: "The hospital is well aware of the need to maintain the skills of its doctors many of whom are expected to perform general duties as well as having a special interest. This applies to all of the general physicians and general surgeons already employed at Noble's.

"It is stated clearly in both the job description and advertisement for the new post in general surgery with a special interest in breast surgery that 'continuing professional development including visiting other units will be encouraged to ensure that skills are maintained in all relevant areas'."

This newly created position will not be advertised until after the June sitting of Tynwald.

Also see: Health Department answers questions on breast cancer care