There was a substantial increase in the number of people waiting for in-patient surgical treatment at Noble's hospital in the last financial year.

A report, which will go before Tynwald next week, shows a rise of 53% to 720, in the twelve months to March 2006.

But there was better news in relation to out-patients failing to keep their appointments.

The annual total was down 2.7 per cent on the previous year.

Graham Bell has been looking at the 'Hospital Activity' report for two thousand and five to six:

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Looking at the waiting lists, the surgical category with the biggest increase was 'ear, nose and throat', up 310%.

Overall, 1600 people were waiting for in-patient admission, a rise of 41% on the previous year.

There was a 28% rise in out-patients awaiting surgical treatment and a 7% increase for out-patients overall.

The 'Therapies' showed mixed results, with the figure for all occupational therapies down 47%.

However, two and a half times as many people were waiting for audiology appointments, and the overall waiting figure for therapies was up more than 60%.