Noble's Hospital currently has 314 beds and 20 wards

Plans to close beds and merge wards at Noble's Hospital to save �700,000 from the health budget are currently under review following protests.

Isle of Man Health Minister Steve Rodan will be asked to clarify the proposals in the House of Keys this week.

David Cannan, MHK for Michael, said members had a chance to prevent cuts.

The Department of Health and Social Security (DHSS) is facing a �1.5m gap in its finances and wants to save half of the money through closing some hospital beds.

Cuts review

Tynwald voted to give the DHSS an extra �6.5m in January after the department revealed it was facing an �8m overspend.

Mr Cannan tabled an amendment calling on the Treasury to find the extra money needed by the department - but members voted against it.

"It is my strong political opinion that the members of Tynwald who voted against the provision of this further �1.5m were fully aware of the implications," he said.

"Because minister Rodan spelt them out in the debate - that there would be a reduction in the provision of health services - the members by implication are responsible for this reduction."

On Friday, the DHSS issued a statement revealing that its proposed cost-cutting measures were being reviewed.