IOMHCA accuses minister of misleading Keys

Controversy concerns colonoscopy comments

The Isle of Man Health and Care Association says the health minister either doesn't know what he's talking about - or is trying to mislead the House of Keys.

The organisation made the comment on social media in response to David Ashford's answer to a Keys question on colonoscopy this week.

Onchan MHK Julie Edge wanted to know when a report, commissioned in May 2017, would be published.

In his answer, Mr Ashford told the House he was keen to correct what he called several inaccuracies in the media recently and said the 2017 report was into endoscopy, not colonoscopy.

He said there had never been a motion calling for what was an internal report to be published, but was happy for it to be circulated to MHKs.

Mr Ashford added it didn't contain more than what had already been made public.

In its response, the association said the review was commissioned after it was realised the colonoscopy service was inadequate - and investigated this service only.

It believes the report to be highly critical of the organisation of the service and says, "if the government supports the concept of transparency and openness, the relevant findings of the report should be made public without prevarication and obfuscation".