Manx Care CEO to step down

Teresa Cope to leave role after five and a half years

The chief executive of Manx Care has announced she will be stepping down from the role after five and a half years.

In a letter sent to staff members this morning (12 May), seen by Manx Radio, Teresa Cope says it has been a 'great privilege' to lead Manx Care since its inception on 1 April 2021.

She will be leaving in the summer.

Ms Cope says, at its meeting this week, the Manx Care Board will approve its review of the past five years which she says "recognises the considerable progress Manx Care has made during this time to improve the health and care services for the Island's population". 

In light of this Ms Cope states it feels like the "right time" to step down from her role as chief executive.

"Progressing new opportunities"

In the notice, circulated via email, Ms Cope writes: "This year is my 36th year of continuous service in health and care, since starting my clinical training in 1990, and therefore I do intend to take a couple of months off and enjoy summer on the Island before progressing new opportunities in the Autumn.

"I will leave Manx Care at the end of June.

"I have loved my time as CEO for Manx Care and have had the opportunity to work with the most talented, compassionate and dedicated colleagues, many of whom I can call friends.

"I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to you all for your contribution to Manx Care.

"Please keep up your excellent work.

"I will miss you all very much."

"Pastures new"

Manx Care has released an official statement in which Teresa Cope is quoted as saying: “I came to the Island in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 with the specific intent of seeing the new organisation established and improving the quality of care from the ground up across services which, quite uniquely, are together on the Island and I am immensely proud of what the organisation has achieved over the last five years.

"After five years in post I have been reflecting on what the next chapter looks like and, with the governance review underway, it feels like now is the right time to look to pass the baton on to someone else to continue the next stage of that journey.

"I have therefore announced my intention to step down and will be moving with my family on to pastures new later this year.  

"For now, however, it remains very much business as usual, and I will continue to work with the board and colleagues across the organisation so as to ensure there is a seamless handover before I depart in the summer.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my colleagues over these last five years for their support in helping push forward the quality of care on the Island.”

Chair of the Manx Care Board Professor Wendy Reid says: “The formation of Manx Care from a standing start was a huge ask, and undoubtedly there has been progress across many areas of governance, transparency and most importantly care on the Island.

"On behalf of the board of directors I would like to thank Teresa personally for her hard work, dedication and commitment during these years and together with the Department of Health and Social Care we look forward to supporting the conclusion of the governance review and will continue to work with Teresa on appropriate handover planning.”

Health Minister Claire Christian added: “I too would like to add my thanks to Ms Cope for the support she has provided to me over my tenure as Minister for Health and Care and for her support to the Island over the last five years. 

"The governance review has pointed to a range of areas in which things are working well, but also areas where improvements can be made and Tynwald have asked for these areas to be reviewed and opportunities for any improvements to come back.

"Teresa’s decision to move on to the next chapter of her career will allow us an opportunity to conclude the review before we proceed to recruit and I look forward to working with the team including Teresa and Wendy and the Manx Care Board on establishing interim arrangements going forward.”