"We don't want women worrying" – that's the message from the Island's head of nursing after a misunderstanding over the future of breast care in the Isle of Man.
Bev Critchlow, head of nursing and midwifery, and the Minister of Health David Anderson MHK have spoken out to reassure breast cancer patients after confusion over the department's decision to advertise for a general surgeon, rather than a dedicated breast care surgeon.
The issue came to a head when Brenda Cannell, MHK for Douglas east, attacked the Health Minister over this decision and accused him of letting down women in the Island.
However Mr Anderson has said that the confusion is down to the wording of the job specification which he called "misleading".
Under a new three year plan for breast care services in the Isle of Man the department has decided to appoint a general surgeon with a speciality in breast care.
This person would replace the consultant breast surgeon Ishrak Hamo who is working as a locum consultant. She replaced Malcolm Clague, a general surgeon who also provided the consultant element of on-Island breast care, who retired.
Currently Noble's Hospital has three general surgeons who between them must cover emergency surgical care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This does not represent best practice as highlighted by the Royal College of Surgeons and the British Medical Association.
Miss Hamo, in her locum status, does not provide the emergency surgical care aspect, which has led to the department’s decision to advertise for a general surgeon who must have a primary specialist interest in breast care.
Mr Anderson said: "I would like to reassure the public of the Isle of Man that this new surgeon will be a highly skilled breast surgeon, who will take lead responsibility for the Island’s breast cancer surgery whilst also being able to contribute to the general surgery on-call rota.
"The way the job is advertised might mislead people – a general surgeon with a speciality in breast care, as if the speciality is an add on. The speciality is a major part of the job. The add on is being on call one in four, 24 hours a day as a general surgeon."
This, the department say is normal practice for an area the size of the Isle of Man. Bev explained: "The majority of breast work is never urgent – it’s planned its organised work. It’s rare that breast work is an emergency, its always elective, planned work."
The department has met with the Isle of Man Council of Cancer Charities to discuss these plans.
Mr Anderson continued:"Both charities, who do truly exceptional work for our community, have kindly agreed to become more involved in communicating our plans to the community as well as being involved in the recruitment and interviewing process, which I think is a very positive development."
Cases of breast cancer in the Isle of Man have risen in recent years. Between April 2010 and March 2011, 90 people were diagnosed with breast cancer compared to 68 between April 2009 and March 2010.
Mr Anderson explained: "In relation to the increase in the number of cases of breast cancer on the Isle of Man, I can appreciate people’s concerns here. As we introduced breast screening in February 2008, it was always our expectation to witness an increase in the number of cases. The programme is specifically for the purpose of early detection. It is also common to see a spike in cases when screening commences within a community, as a number of slow growing tumours are usually identified. The numbers then level out over time."
He concluded: "I am of course very mindful of the sensitivity concerning cancer treatment, but I would like to reassure those concerned that I am absolutely confident that the proposed post, which will ensure that the new general surgeon has a primary specialist interest in breast surgery, will enable the Department of Health to continue to provide the Island’s breast cancer patients with the very highest standards of care."
The department is hoping to recruit the new surgeon over the summer.
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