The Department of Health is once again stressing that breast cancer services in the Isle of Man are not being cut.

The reassurance has come in response to widespread criticism of the move to appoint a general surgeon with an interest in breast care.

Currently there is a locum specialist breast cancer surgeon who doesn't do any other surgery.

Those opposed to the appointment claim it will mean a reduction in care at a time when the number of breast cancer cases on the Island is increasing.

It's led to the formation of an action group made up of local breast cancer patients, and political opposition from MHKs Brenda Cannell and John Houghton.

Much of the concern centres on the title of the new appointment, but manager of the Surgical Division at Noble's Hospital Aggie Cain says there will be no question about the skills of the person appointed (first part of audio file):

The appointee will be required to be part of the emergency on-call rota, meaning surgeons at Noble's will be on call one day in four, compared with one in three at present.

Clinical director for the Surgical Division Maric Thorpe says easing that burden will improve patient care.

Despite there being no immediate sign of critics being reassured, Noble's Hospital medical director Stephen Upsdell firmly believes the approach is the right one (second part of audio file):