MHK seeks assurances MEDS won't close

Document shows closing out of hours GP service would save £500,000

An MHK has sought reassurances from the chief minister that healthcare services such as MEDS won't be closed to save money.

Alfred Cannan was asked to share details of the options considered by Manx Care in a bid to come in on budget in the current financial year.

He circulated a document to members in which £24m of potential savings were identified, £12m of which has been approved.

Onchan member Julie Edge highlighted the inclusion of a £500,000 saving that could be achieved by closing MEDS.

She voiced her concern over the impact that move would have:

In response, Mr Cannan, who's currently the acting health minister following the resignation of Lawrie Hooper last week, said savings have to be considered in conjunction with Manx Care's mandate:

In a media release issued on Tuesday afternoon (22 October) Manx Care says it has no plans to close the MEDS service at this time.

The statement reads: 'In early September Manx Care was instructed by the then Minister for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to identify how it could achieve financial balance in this financial year beyond the savings that had already been agreed by the Manx Care Board (which have subsequently been reported publicly).  

'On 17 September 2024, Manx Care submitted a confidential document to the DHSC detailing how a further £4 million of savings could be achieved in this year.

'The temporary closure of MEDS was on that list, which would save £550k for the final six months of the year.

'Many of these schemes on that confidential list, including the temporary closure of MEDS had been considered and rejected by the Manx Care Board as not palatable, on the grounds that these schemes have a high adverse impact on the quality and provision of patient care and patient and service user experience.

'However, Manx Care would commit to implement these schemes and monitor their impact if mandated to do so by the DHSC and Council of Ministers.'