The wide variation in the number of face-to-face appointments at GP surgeries has been revealed in the House of Keys.

Figures were released as a row continues over the level of service provided by Ramsey Group Practice.

iomtoday reported last month how staff at the surgery had received increasing levels of abuse from patients frustrated at not being able to get an appointment with the doctor.

Former chief minister Allan Bell stepped into the row to question why, unlike other surgeries in the island, Ramsey Group Practice was not operating more or less to pre-Covid levels - resulting in a two-tier GP service.

Now figures released by Health Minister David Ashford in the Keys appear to support Mr Bell’s concerns.

They show that the Ramsey practice provided only 38% face to face appointments on average during September.

This compared with 90% at Finch Hill surgery, 86% at Hailwood and 85% at the Kensington practice.

Figures for the week beginning November 23 show the percentage of face to face appointments at Ramsey had grown to 50.2% but this was still well below other surgeries.

The second lowest in September was the Southern Group Practice which by the end of November was up to 76%.

The number of patient contacts at Ramsey in Seitember was also well down on last year, at 6,143 compared with 8,000 in September 2019.

Other surgeries, in contrast, have actually been having more patient contacts than last year including Peel, Laxey, Ballasalla, Finch Hill and Southern Group Practice.

Castletown was second lowest for face to face appointments in the week beginning November 23 at 63.8%.

Guidance issued to surgeries last month by the Department of Health and Social Care states every patient will need to be triaged and the most appropriate treatment provided. Face to face treatment should be provided where necessary and clinically indicated and safe to do so,’ it says.

In his written reply to Lawrie Hooper (Ramsey), Mr Ashford said: ’There was a significant change in the way GP appointments were provided during the Covid-19 emergency period. It was necessary to introduce telephone appointments which have worked well.

’The department will continue to monitor patient appointments and work with practices to ensure types of appointment are provided according to patient need, with the most appropriate clinician.’

Former chief minister Allan Bell stepped into the row to question why, unlike other surgeries in the island, Ramsey Group Practice was not operating more or less to pre-Covid levels - resulting in a two-tier GP service.