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Minister doesn't expect travel budget problems

David Ashford, Health Minister

Ashford reviewing accommodation allowance for Manx patients

The Health Minister doesn't believe increasing the funding offered to patients travelling to the UK for appointments will have a big impact on his department's finances.

David Ashford confirmed in this week's sitting of the House of Keys that he's asked for the current allowance to be reviewed, as it hasn't been changed since 2004.

Around 17,000 patient transfers are arranged by the Department of Health and Social Care each year.

However, Mr Ashford says not all of these will need overnight accommodation:

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