More than 17,500 were on appointment waiting list

More than 17,500 patients were reported to be on a waiting list for medical appointments earlier this year.

Health Minister Claire Christian gave the figure for March in response to a Tynwald question for written reply from Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse.

Meanwhile she said a total of 124,567 outpatient appointments took place over the past financial year.

Mr Moorhouse also wanted to know the number of consultations and people expected to be on a waiting list over the coming year - but Ms Christian couldn't say.