Dr Ranson: 'No dismissal' says gov't

Reports that the Island's medical Director has been sacked are being denied by the Manx Government.

Two media outlets say that Dr Rosalind Ranson, the Island’s most senior doctor, has been dismissed but the government press office said that's not true.

A spokesperson said “The Department of Health and Social Care can confirm that, despite media reports to the contrary, Dr Rosalind Ranson remains in post and is employed by the Department in her executive leadership role as Medical Director.”

It follows the publication of a Tynwald committee hearing in which Dr Ranson was highly critical of the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Dr Rosalind Ranson as appointed just weeks before the pandemic began last year.

In her evidence she claimed that senior doctors on the Isle of Man advised the government to shut borders sooner to stop the spread of coronavirus.

The Island's medical director said she was "alarmed" action was not taken faster. 

Dr Ranson was giving evidence to a committee investigating the Manx government's handling of the pandemic.

The Department of Health and Social Care said her claims were "inaccurate".