Decision to de-register patients from medical facility 'not taken lightly'

Ballasalla Medical Centre removes those living outside the catchment area

Manx Care says the decision to remove patients who live outside of a medical facilities catchment area has 'not been taken lightly' by the practice.

It follows reports of the Ballasalla Medical Centre de-registering patients who don't live in the catchment area - despite some having been with the centre for a 'considerable number of years'.

The health service says it's due to the population increases in the area - however, they state the practice reviewed all patients clinically before removing them from the register.

Residents of Foxdale and St Johns will now be required to sign up to Peel Medical Centre, or Snaefell Surgery which has indicated it's willing to accept new patients from these areas.