Care funding reform report delayed following ministerial change

Health minister says Council of Ministers will consider proposals before update to Tynwald in spring

Proposals to reform the Isle of Man’s care funding system are now expected to be presented to the Council of Ministers later this month.

Health and Social Care Minister Claire Christian says the timetable has shifted while the new Treasury Minister Chris Thomas is briefed on the financial implications of any future model.

Douglas South MHK Sarah Maltby had asked when the Department of Health and Social Care would bring forward proposals to reform the Island’s care funding system, including thresholds, caps and protections for personal assets.

In response, Ms Christian says her department had originally expected to submit a report to the Council of Ministers in December last year, following earlier updates given in the House of Keys in November.

However, she claims operational pressures and the need to brief the new treasury minister of the underlying analysis and funding implications had delayed the process.

Treasury plays a central role in assessing the financial sustainability of any future care funding model.

Ms Christian says DHSC will now present its report to CoMin in March.

Subject to CoMin considering the proposals, she believes the intention is to return to Tynwald with an update in spring.

She adds that the precise timetable will depend on the Council of Ministers direction.