It is being claimed some patients who want cataract operations are being blackmailed into having the procedure carried out privately.

The allegation came from Onchan MHK Peter Karran, during consideration of a House of Keys question on waiting times to have cataracts removed.

Edward Oldham reports:

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Health Minister Eddie Teare said it wasn't blackmail but a question of priority.

He told members all medical procedures were classed by GPs as either "urgent", "soon" or "routine".

Mr Teare claimed waiting lists for cataract operations were now reducing.

There were 1,168 patients twelve months ago, and now there were only 814.

The longest waiting time, he said, was five months.

Michael MHK David Cannan, who asked the original question, spoke of a constituent who had been waiting for a year.

(Images, left to right: Eddie Teare; cataract surgery; Peter Karran).