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Isle of Man Healthcare Faces £6M Savings Challenge
3 Feb
Summary
- Manx Care must reduce waiting times while achieving £6m in savings.
- Focus on increasing community-based care and private day services.
- Improving children's dental health and virtual appointments are priorities.
The Isle of Man's Department of Health and Social Care has directed Manx Care to prioritize reduced waiting times for services while achieving £6m in savings for the 2026-27 financial year. This mandate, issued by the DHSC, also emphasizes an increase in community-based care and the commencement of private day services.
Minister Claire Christian stated the mandate provides a "clear and confident direction of travel," acknowledging system pressures like workforce constraints and an aging population. Fiscal discipline underpins these commitments, requiring Manx Care to identify the causes of its annual deficits and collaborate with Treasury on a sustainable funding model.
Further objectives include initiating private day services in at least two specialties, reducing outpatient waiting lists by managing re-referrals, and increasing virtual off-island appointments. The plan also aims to validate 80% of specialty waiting lists. Improving children's dental access and expanding community care, such as enabling pharmacy access to prescription medicines for common conditions without a GP appointment, are also key targets.
