GPs: Is now the time for change?

Manx Care board members share range of views on future of GP provision

A Manx Care board member says now isn't the time to rush into a GP transformation phase.

Non-executive Director Nigel Wood has been speaking about the issues facing the service at the healthcare provider's board meeting.

It comes following Ballasalla Medical Centre's decision to hand back its contract.

Mr Wood, who chairs Manx Care's finance committee, questioned whether it's the right time to spend funds modernising the GP service:

However, another member says work to modernise the GP system on the Isle of Man needs to speed up.

Manx Care's Director of Nursing Paul Moore called for change following the recent announcement by the Ballasalla surgery.

Paul Moore says the current provision is outdated:

Long waiting lists are putting additional pressure on the Island's GPs, according to Manx Care's Director of Operations Oliver Radford.

Mr Radford says reducing the time it takes for patients to get treatment would lessen the burden on GPs:

Meanwhile, Vice Chair Sarah Pinch believes there is an 'exciting opportunity' to transform the way Manx Care delivers GP services on the Isle of Man.

With the current system have been largely unchanged since the 1940s, Ms Pinch says now is the time to consider new ideas: