
Calls for urgent review of patient allowances
The Department of Health and Social Care is being urged to quickly review the allowances paid to patients who travel to Liverpool for specialist treatment at the city's hospitals.
It follows the imposition by Liverpool City Council of a tourist levy of between £2 and £2.40 for overnight stays in the area.
Currently this is not covered by the £50 per night allowance paid to patients for accommodation.
Douglas South MHK, Sarah Maltby, who raised the matter by means of a Tynwald question to Health Minister, Claire Christian, says it's unfair that Liverpool City Council should benefit from the extra tax paid by patients who are only in Liverpool for treatment under the terms of the Reciprocal Health Agreement.
She says the £50 a night allowance from the Manx government is already inadequate, and the added tax per night for a hotel stay is both unfair and unaffordable for many people who are already dealing with huge stress.
A review of the allowances paid to patients for accommodation in the UK is to be be reviewed by the DHSC, but the outcome of that review won't be until July next year.
Carole Male, Vice President of Mannin Cancers, runs the Isle of Man Patient Transfer Page on Facebook.
She's urging immediate action to at least cover the Liverpool hotel bed tax for Manx patients:
In her written reply to Mrs Maltby, Health Minister Claire Christian says whilst acknowledging the supplement could create additional costs for patients travelling, currently there is no clear evidence that patients are being disproportionately impacted or that barriers to NHS services have occurred.
Manx Radio has approached Manx Care and the Department of Health and Social Care for further comment.