Minister apologises to hospital groups

Health Minister Kate Beecroft has apologised to two hospital charities in the north of the Island in a row over endoscopy services.

This week, she appeared before Tynwald's Social Affairs Policy Review Committee to give evidence after the service moved from Ramsey Cottage Hospital to Noble's.

Mrs Beecroft told the committee moving the service meant more procedures could be carried out and it had been done to bring down waiting times and improve patient safety.

But she said she was sorry the news had leaked, upsetting two volunteer bodies: