Patients returning to the island from hospital appointments across will now have access to a private lounge in Liverpool airport.

UK coronavirus restrictions mean that patients must leave hospital after their appointment and should arrive at the airport no more than two hours before their flight - and for some, this has left a question over where to spend time between the two venues.

Patients travelling to the island have now been given access to the privately-run XLR executive lounge at Liverpool Airport, through an agreement with the government’s patient transfer service.

The government said that the lounge would provide a ’safe and peaceful area’ where they are welcome to use the facilities and enjoy light refreshments.

It is situated in a separate building a short distance from the main terminal, and will be available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.

All patients picked up by Comcabs after their appointment will now be taken directly to the XLR lounge if they arrive at the airport earlier than their check-in allows.

Those who are arranging their own transport can contact the patient transfer team who will arrange access to the lounge. Once the check-in desk is open, transport will be available to take patients to the terminal building.

Minister for Health and Social Care David Ashford said: ’We understand that people may be concerned about having to travel to the UK during the pandemic, so knowing that we can offer a comfortable, secure and convenient place to wait is great.

’I thank the operators at XLR for working with us to help resolve the difficulties faced by some of our patients, and the patient transfer team for securing this arrangement.’

The patient transfer service had previously worked with Liverpool Airport and the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group to open a quiet space in the departure lounge in 2017.