Manx Care: 'Delivery model remains sound'

The body was created in 2021 after the  Sir Jonathan Michael review

Manx Care says it has strengthened services, improved quality and safety and built a more integrated health and social care system since it was created five years ago.

The arms-length body launched in 2021 following the Sir Jonathan Michael review which sought to address repeated health and social care overspends and structural issues at the Department of Health and Social Care.

In a report, to mark its five years, Manx Care says its objectives have been 'achieved to a high standard, with performance improving over time in areas such as quality governance, community-based care, safety culture and delivery discipline'.

However, it says that 'from a public and media perspective, waiting times, access challenges and workforce pressures have persisted' which have often made it a 'focal point' for dissatisfaction, including for issues it says are beyond its control. 

At the end of March 2026 there were 17,541 patients waiting for a first consultant-led outpatient appointment.

Reflecting on its five years, Manx Care says it has delivered on the Multiagency Safeguarding Hub, expanded community-based services and improve vacancy rates to reduce the number of bank staff being used.

Former Chief Executive Teresa Cope said: "This review reflects the reality of the last five years, during which time we have built a new organisation, in the middle of a global pandemic, while continuing to provide care every day for the Island.

"That has required resilience, focus, and an unwavering commitment from our staff.

"We are now in a stronger position than when we started.

"We have established more robust governance, improved the quality and safety of our services, and brought health and social care closer together in a way that is beginning to make a real difference for patients.

"We have been equally clear about the challenges we face.

"Demand continues to increase, workforce supply remains constrained, and the financial environment is extremely challenging. 

"These are not short-term issues and they are not unique to the Isle of Man, but they do shape the pace at which change can be delivered."

Manx Care says that this financial year will see it focus on care away from hospital as part of its 'Home First' strategy. 

However work in developing community focused health and social care system has been infringed by 'delays' to funding requests and increase demands. 

It has also reported that it is on course for an £8.1m overspend in 2026/27, down from £14.8m in 205/26, which will mean that Manx Care will continue its record of a deficit in each year since it launches and has overspent by more than £80m since its creation. 

Manx Care says that despite the challenges it has faced, and continues to face, its own review concludes, 'that the delivery model remains sound in principle' and that changes recommended by the Mersey Internal Audit Agency, once implemented, will lead to further improvements.

You can read the full report HERE.