THE Island's Health Minister will attend a public meeting on the future of breast cancer care in the Isle of Man.

David Anderson MHK will attend the meeting which is being held next Monday by the Breast Cancer Action Group.

It follows the Department of Health's decision to advertise for a general surgeon with a speciality in breast care instead of a specialist breast cancer consultant.

Mr Anderson said: "I have advised the Breast Cancer Action Group that I will attend the public meeting where I will be accompanied by clinical colleagues.

"The department has set out its position in respect of breast care and surgery with great clarity and on several occasions. I will be happy to reiterate the department's position and the rationale for deciding to recruit a new consultant surgeon with a special interest in breast care at the meeting, where I will also be happy to respond to questions."

Under a new three year plan for breast care services in the Isle of Man, the department announced its decision to appoint a general surgeon with an interest in breast care who would replace the current consultant breast surgeon Ishrak Hamo.

Miss Hamo is a locum consultant and therefore does not provide on call cover for general surgery. This means Noble's Hospital only has three general surgeons who can cover emergency surgical care – something which does not represent best practice by the Royal College of Surgeons and the British Medical Association.

The Minister continued: "I understand the depth of feeling on this issue and again wish to reassure the public. The new consultant surgeon will provide the same exceptional level of care as the incumbent locum. It is however critical that we secure breast care on the Island for the long-term with the appointment of a permanent consultant surgeon. 

"Whilst the new consultant surgeon will assist with the on-call rota for general surgery, he or she will be classed as our breast care surgeon. Out of hours general surgical cover will form only a minor part of their role with their substantive work being in breast care - in which the consultant will be trained to the standard expected of a Breast Surgeon in a UK Trust and will be able to deliver this service to patients in the Isle of Man. 

"It is this special interest that will ensure that they meet the exacting standards of care currently enjoyed on-Island for breast care. The appointment of a permanent consultant surgeon will actually enhance our breast care services. We are adding capacity to outpatient clinics and we will have an additional theatre session.

"The views of the public and breast cancer groups are very important and I would reiterate that there will be a lay representative on the recruitment panel from one of the cancer charities which I think is a very positive step."

The Breast Cancer Action Group has set up a petition to raise support for its cause on ipetitions.com. So far this has been signed by 79 people.

The meeting will take place at the Legion Club in Douglas at 7.30pm.

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Also see: No compromise over breast cancer care says Health Minister