The Department of Health is reiterating its standpoint that there was never a fait accompli with regard to the overnight Manx Emergency Doctor (MED) service.

It's responding to comments by Dr Richard Hamm, who claimed the department wanted to close the facility between midnight and 8am in order to save money.

The department says the idea was one of a number which were under consideration.

Last week it was announced the service would continue, after doctors agreed to a pay cut.

The department says the idea of closure was discussed at a meeting between clinical lead Dr Hanks and the MEDS GPs. The meeting was treated as confidential because it was important for GPs to hear the ideas at the same time.

The department say it's a matter of 'profound regret' that despite the need for confidentiality, Dr Hamm and others by-passed the consultation process with Dr Hanks and caused public concern by alleging there was a covert plan to close MEDS when no such plan existed.

The preferred way forward now accepted by the department is for GPs on the overnight shift to have their pay cut from ?691 to ?531 per eight hour shift.

This is expected to save around ?120,000 per year.