Patients with a common eye complaint can continue to receive treatment in the island despite no suitable provider having tendered to take over the service when the current arrangement comes to an end in November.

Patients with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) will continue to be treated at Noble’s Hospital by a visiting team from Aintree Hospital for at least the next 12 months.

Minister for Health and Social Care David Ashford said: ’The Aintree and Noble’s teams will be working together over the coming weeks to try to expand the capacity of the ARMD service on island.

’This is so that more patients can be cared for at Noble’s and fewer trips to Liverpool are required - which has been our aim from the start.’

Specialists from the Liverpool centre have visited the island fortnightly since 2015 to provide macular treatment, working alongside the Noble’s ophthalmology team. While some procedures were carried out at Noble’s, patients with more complex conditions travelled to Merseyside for treatment.

In April this year, a formal tender process was launched to find a new provider of ARMD services. However, none of the tenders provided a suitable alternative, and as a result Aintree is to continue providing the service for a further 12 months at least, from the start of November.

Mr Ashford added: ’We’d hoped to find a specialist provider who could offer the service as a ’package’ for us, but it’s proved more difficult than expected.’

The Isle of Man eye care strategy, agreed in early 2018, included plans for an in-house macular service, to provide more extensive on-island care and reduce numbers having to travel.

The DHSC has thanked Aintree for its co-operation which will allow the island continue the service.

Those ARMD patients needing an appointment will receive letters from Aintree shortly. Patients with queries can call 0151 529 2604.