Advice updated after patients slept at airport

A health care provider has said the communication with patients "could have been better" after a mix-up saw several sleep at an airport overnight when their flight was cancelled.

Carole Male, who runs a patient transfer feedback group, said nine people returning after treatment spent an "uncomfortable night" at Liverpool John Lennon Airport last month.

She said the group had "understood from other passengers" that the hotels were full, but had not checked at the information desk as they were feeling "too unwell" to queue.

Manx Care said while it understood the "correct processes" had been followed, a travel warrant had now been updated to highlight the availability of a 24-hour support line.

Loganair has the contract with the Manx government to provide flights for non-urgent hospital appointments in the UK, which allow residents to access specialist care not available on the island.

Ms Lowe said the group were had not been not able to secure accommodation due to illness and mobility issues after their evening Liverpool to Ronaldsway flight was cancelled due to fog on 25 June.

"Many of our patients have terminal illnesses or had undergone painful treatment that day, one had even had surgery," she said.

Calling for those who have travelled to be "considered first" ahead of "fit and healthy passengers" in future, she said patients were "already struggling just to stay alive", which itself was "extremely stressful".

Manx Care said although it was "very sorry to hear about the experience", a review of the events had shown the "correct processes were followed on the night".

A spokesman said passengers had been advised to book their own accommodation and claim the money back from Loganair, which was "in line with standard procedures in such situations".

He said the patient transfer service's 24-hour on-call emergency phone number was also available on the evening, but had only received one phone call.

However, he admitted "communications could have been better" and a travel warrant sent to patients prior to any trip had been amended "to emphasise that they can call our out of hours service for help and advice if in difficulty due to travel disruption".

A spokesman for Liverpool Airport confirmed a patient quiet room had not been available as it was located within the departure lounge, which closes each day after the final flight has taken off.

But the dedicated area was opened "considerably earlier" the following day to accommodate those affected, he added.

The space at the airport is funded by the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group, which Ms Male is also a member of.

Concerns have also recently been raised about patients travelling to Liverpool for treatment being charged a new £2 "tourist tax" for hotel stays.

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