Empty care home beds costing DHSC

Salisbury Street running at 85% of capacity

Government's privately-run care home on Salisbury Street in Douglas is running consistently below capacity, it's been revealed.

The health minister made the revelation in the House of Keys this week, in response to a question from his predecessor Kate Beecroft.

The Department of Health and Social Care bought the complex for £8 million two years ago, and contracts out its running to a local firm, Adorn Domiciliary Care.

Since October last year, the facility has hovered around 85% full - meaning an average of 6 government-commissioned beds lie empty every week.

Commissioning empty beds has cost the DHSC £160,000 in that time.