The experience of sick patients facing long queues to go through security at Ronaldsway has been described as an ’absolute farce’.

Carole Male, vice chairman of Manx Breast Cancer Support Group, says ’walking wounded’ patients undergoing aggressive treatment regimes had to wait in the queue for more than an hour.

She said they were then told to run for their plane or they would miss their flight.

Carole and three other members of her charity’s committee were on their way to meet Clatterbridge private patients to discuss a landside quiet area at Liverpool Airport - when they saw for themselves the problems for patient transfer passengers.

Carole posted on the IoM Patient Transfer (Feedback) Facebook page: ’The queue for security was unbelievable - why do we have two machines if they are not in use at peak times?

’We then waited more than an hour in the queue which would not be good if you’re ill and on your way for medical treatment. It’s the walking wounded who are not in wheelchairs that we’re concerned about.’

Carole said the group got through to the departures area to be told that they had better run or they wouldn’t get on their plane.

She added: ’Surely as Ronaldsway is a tiny airport we could at least get it right! It was an absolute farce and I feel very, very sorry for sick patients travelling.’

Carole has contacted airport director Ann Reynolds and Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer, who have agreed to have a meeting with her.

Carole is calling for special arrangements for patient transfer passengers so that they are taken straight from the quiet room to security without having to stand in the main queue.

Wheelchair passengers and those with reduced mobility are all fast-tracked and don’t have to wait in the security queue.

Travellers have been faced with long queues getting through security during peak times since the summer.

TravelWatch has expressed surprise at why it had taken so long to come up with a solution.

The problem has been put down to some routes using much bigger aircraft with a number of flights scheduled to depart within a short time - although there have been no recent changes to schedules or security measures.

Airport director Ann Reynolds has said improvements being considered include an enlarged central search area plus new equipment and staffing a second security line at peak times.

She said: 'All passengers with reduced mobility have priority through to security, not just wheelchair users.

'They are let through the fast track by the handling agent or security.

'Anyone who hasn't alerted the airline when booking their flight can speak to a member of staff at the check-in desk to get assistance once at the airport, and they would get assistance, and get fast tracked through to security/the front of the queue.'