According to Douglas East Member of the House of Keys, Brenda Cannell, a recent proposal made by Health Minister, David Anderson would “dilute” the service currently offered to breast cancer patients of the Isle of Mann.

Health Minister, David Anderson has proposed to advertise for a post of general surgeon with an interest in breast care rather than a dedicated breast cancer specialist who would also be on-call during every one in four days for general surgical cover.

The proposal has sparked an emotional reaction that is not commonly seen in the Isle of Mann’s parliament, known as Tynwald.

According to Mrs. Cannell, an on-call general surgeon would have less time to dedicate to breast care services at a time when the number of breast cancer cases is expected to rise.

She tabled a motion earlier in the House of Keys earlier over the appointment of a consultant breast specialist to the applause of breast cancer campaigners in the public gallery.

However, Mr. Anderson has responded by accusing Mrs. Cannell of “misleading the public” along with other Members of the House of Keys who were connected to cancer charities.

Mr. Anderson also added that he was acting on the advice of the Royal College of Surgeons by advertising the job title as “consultant surgeon with a special interest in breast care”.