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Waiting list measures

A £2 million initiative to reduce hospital waiting lists at Noble's will soon be paying dividends.

The cash injection was agreed by Tynwald - to help those waiting for orthopaedic and ophthalmic operations.

Several measures are already in place - now the Department of Health has to recruit surgeons.

Marian Kenny reports:

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Patients have been waiting to hear when the initiative will begin making real inroads on waiting lists, and it seems preparations are progressing well.

Equipment needed to perform the extra operations has been ordered - and supporting services are being put in place.

The appointment of the Staff Grade post is holding things up - the position has been advertised and the department expects to recruit in the near future.

At that point, theatre lists and clinics can be filled - and the waiting lists cut.

Health Minister Eddie Teare says once the department has contracted excellent surgeons, patients will be contacted for assessments and surgery - with the longest waiters being given priority.

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