I have been contacted by a number of constituents
who are concerned about the proposals by the Department of Health and
supported by our present MHK Mr David Anderson to replace the current
dedicated breast cancer specialist on the Isle of Man with a so-called
“general surgeon” with some breast cancer speciality.
I have expressed my support to the campaign to
preserve the present situation as I think it’s imperative that people on
the Isle of Man get the best possible breast cancer care
available. By all accounts the present incumbent, who I understand
was employed on a 2-year contract, has provided not only excellent
surgical care but support to patients and families.
The substitution of this service by a general
surgeon to me almost sounds third world. I know when I travel to
places like Africa all they can afford is an all-round general surgeon
and frequently there’s just one. In a country like the Isle of
Man, one of the most prosperous in the world, we owe people a better
service than that.