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The stroke unit at Noble's Hospital has been temporarily closed due to staff illness, the Manx Department of Health has confirmed.

It means stroke patients will have to be admitted to a different ward.

Hospital manager Barbara Scott said patients would receive "the same exacting and high standard of care".

Director of Health Strategy and Performance Norman McGregor Edwards said sick staff could not risk spreading infections in the hospital.

"This decision is very much in the best interest of staff and patients alike and certainly shouldn't be interpreted as any sort of cut in service or budget," he added.