Government 'essentially holding a gun to the head of the Manx people' says former minister

Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper leaks embargoed media release from Manx Care

The former health and social care minister says government has ‘a lot of questions to answer’ after publishing details of apparent cuts being made to healthcare services.

Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper says an embargoed media release from Manx Care has ‘fallen into his possession’ which outlines ‘urgent measures to address financial challenges’.

He told Manx Radio the Cannan administration is 'essentially holding a gun to the head of the Manx people' by sanctioning the rumoured health cuts.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Mr Hooper initially took to social media earlier this week with his concerns asking his constituents to inform him if they've had upcoming appointments cancelled or postponed.

It comes as an urgent question from Douglas East MHK Joney Faragher, about potential cuts, was delayed in the House of Keys as the health minister wasn't in attendance.

Ms Faragher wanted to ask whether elective surgeries are being reduced and if any other cuts to services are being proposed or planned.

You can find out more HERE.

That followed the re-negotiation of a pay deal with doctors last week (21 January) who were threatening to walk out for the first time in history.

The new deal was accepted by the British Medical Association's members yesterday (29 January).

Earlier this month, in Tynwald, Minister Claire Christian had told members she was not aware of any planned cuts by Manx Care to pay for it.

But Mr Hooper told his replacement her answers 'didn't stack up'.

SERVICE CUTS

Manx Radio has been contacted by listeners who have told us they are starting to see impacts on services.

One told us the person they had spoken to at a hospital in Liverpool informed them the Manx Government is not funding any operations apart from emergencies, classified as P1, until the end of March. 

Another told us a family member who was at Aintree Hospital this week for an injection was told that from this Friday (31 January) doctors there are not allowed to treat any patients from the Island until the end of March due to Manx Care 'having no money for it'.

This caller, who wants to remain anonymous, also shared their experience: 

Meanwhile a medical professional at Noble’s Hospital, who also wants to remain anonymous, told Manx Radio that Manx Care has 'requested that the Liverpool University Hospitals stop treating Isle of Man patients, except in an emergency, for financial reasons until the end of the financial year'.

They told us that Manx Care 'will not pay for any outpatient appointments or surgical procedures after 1 February that are not classed as emergency treatment'.

In response to that allegation Manx Radio contacted the Liverpool University Hospitals for comment.

The organisation responded by saying: "We suggest you talk to Manx Care".

'CHAOTIC COMIN'

Lawrie Hooper told Manx Radio he's seen enough evidence to know cuts are underway and is questioning why government will not admit to them:

Fellow backbench MHK Tim Glover, who represents Arbory, Castletown and Malew, has also called on the Isle of Man Government to ‘come clean’ and ‘tell the truth’ over cuts to healthcare services.

He's questioned whether Manx Care and the Department of Health and Social Care think people are ‘stupid’.

MEDIA RELEASE

Yesterday evening (29 January) Mr Hooper took to social media again to share a link to his website, where he leaked an embargoed media release.

The release was sent to the Island's media outlets on 15 January, from Manx Care's communications team, with an embargo set for 4pm the following day (16 January).

The announcement outlined a fresh set of 'urgent measures' which the health body said it was going to impose in the hope of bringing down its overspend this financial year.

It stated its current 'expenditure challenges', coupled with 'external factors', were impacting its ability to maintain services 'without compromise'.

Within the media release the healthcare body confirmed it's projecting a potential deficit of £14.7 million by the end of the financial year.

This indicates that previous cost-cutting measures, announced at the end of the last calendar year, have been unsuccessful.

When the 11 schemes were announced by the board, in October 2024, it said if successful, they would bring the health body's overspend down to £8 million.

They included cuts to several patient-facing services - you can read more here.

NEW MEASURES

The new measures outlined by Manx Care within the embargoed release were:

• Temporary suspension of elective operations: Non-urgent and non-time-critical elective procedures, including off-Island care, not already scheduled, will be paused until March/April 2025. Urgent and time-critical planned operations will continue.
• Inpatient ward closures: Select wards will be temporarily closed in response to the temporary suspension of elective operations. This will enable environmental improvements to ensure the long-term sustainability of inpatient facilities and prevent unplanned disruptions.
• Recruitment and vacancy freeze: A freeze on new recruitment and continued strict restrictions on the use of temporary workforce arrangements will be in effect until April 2025.
• Centralised oversight of job planning: Job planning for medical, nursing, and allied health professional staff will be centrally co-ordinated, to maximise efficiency and ensure optimal resource utilisation.
• Strengthened financial controls: Enhanced financial governance will include tighter purchasing controls and increased accountability for financial decisions, to ensure transparency and sustainability.

'CHALLENGING'

Manx Care stated it was 'facing significant financial pressures' but that its 'immediate priority must remain on safely responding to the urgent and emergency needs of our community'.

A spokesperson added: "The measures are focused on optimising resources, controlling costs, and improving financial governance, while maintaining our core commitment to patient safety and essential services. 

"Central to all our actions is the principle of 'no harm' as we navigate these necessary changes.

"We understand the difficulties these changes will bring for our community and workforce. 

"These decisions have not been made lightly and we are committed to minimising disruption wherever possible. 

"However ensuring the sustainability of our services is a vital objective at this critical time.

"Manx Care remains steadfast in its commitment to the health and safety of our community and we thank you for your understanding and continued support as we navigate these challenges together."

In the context of the then-ongoing negotiations between Manx Care and the BMA the healthcare body's communications team contacted Island media outlets again on 15 January extending the original embargo indefinitely.

A spokesperson said this was due to 'the implementation of the mitigations being considered once again'.

Manx Radio received no further update regarding the planned cuts and we have had no official confirmation from the health body which, if any, have already been implemented.

RESPONSE

Manx Radio has invited Manx Care and the Department of Health and Social Care to respond.

NEWSCAST

You can hear the full interview between Mr Hooper and Manx Radio's Siobhán Fletcher in the Newscast below: