Option to relocate dementia patients no longer being considered by Manx Care

Body issues further update on reinstatement of rehab service to north

An options paper looking at 'potential approaches for the future delivery of rehabilitation services' in the north of the Island is to be presented to the Manx Care Board in July.

That's from the healthcare body, which has provided an update 'following recent public discussion'.

It says following 'detailed discussions with staff and families, and after careful consideration of the potential impact on residents, relatives, and the local community, Manx Care has decided to remove Reayrt Skyal from the options appraisal'.

Earlier this week, Manx Radio heard concerns from families of dementia patients who had been told of potential plans to relocate residents from the Elderly Mentally Infirm unit at the Reayrt Skyal residential care home in Ramsey.

Manx Radio understands it had been suggested that the Martin Ward - previously located at Ramsey District Cottage Hospital - could then relocate its services into the care home building.

You can read more here.

Manx Care says that further discussions with staff and families have taken place this week, following the 'increased media and social media commentary' due to what it describes as the 'accidental disclosure of confidential planning discussions'.

It says that whilst it recognises the 'understandable concern among staff, residents’ families, and the wider community, and acknowledges that it would have preferred to communicate directly and sensitively as plans evolved', the option was only ever 'in the earliest stages of planning'.

It will no longer progress those plans any further.

The healthcare body adds the 'decision reflects the strength of feeling expressed during engagement and the importance of maintaining public confidence and ensuring patient wellbeing'.

The healthcare body says 'work will now progress on the remaining options' and it is 'communicating this update directly with staff, residents’ families, and local stakeholders, including Ramsey Commissioners, to ensure clarity and transparency as the process moves forward'.