Breast Clinic won't be running 'as smoothly as hoped' for the next month

Unexpected staff absence will 'severely impact' the service

Manx Care wants to reassure users of the Breast Clinic as it admits services will not be running 'as smoothly as hoped' over the coming weeks.

It's due to unexpected staffing disruption.

The healthcare provider says it hoped to have a breast radiologist in place by now, but an emergency short-term absence means they won't be in place for at least the next four weeks.

This will 'severely impact' the service.

Manx Care says there's already a shortage of available breast radiologists across the British Isles, and because it's an inter-connected environment in the UK it means the Island is very isolated making it even harder to recruit someone suitable at short notice.

It says it's putting alternative plans in place, securing locum staff were possible, but has admitted that there will be some disruption.

Anybody due to be reviewed in the clinic this week as part of the temporary 2-STOP service has already been seen, but if an ultrasound scan was recommended then that will occur sometime within the next 10 days.

Temporary cover has been organised for this week and is provisionally planned for the next few weeks.

Manx Care says it's committed to finding a sustainable solution, but will commit to providing weekly updates.

In a statement, it says: "We understand that this may be distressing, but would like to reassure our community that we are working hard to find both short-term and long-term solutions and are keeping in regular contact with our patients."

Anyone affected has already been contacted, but those who feel they may have a breast problem in the meantime are asked to contact their GP.