Health Minister: No more health cuts, but 'change in the way services are provided'

Tynwald is due to have a general debate next month on Manx Care's operating plan and mandate

The health minister insists we won't see further cuts within Manx Care this year but, rather, a 'change in the way that services are provided'.

The body has been allocated £357.5 million with a £14 million contingency pot also available. 

Tynwald members are due to have a general debate, next month, on Manx Care's operating plan and mandate for the year ahead.

Claire Christian told Manx Radio the body won't be bringing forward any new service developments unless it gets funding first:

But not everyone is convinced.

Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper says we won't know the full impact of this year's Budget until we start to see cuts on frontline services.

Mr Hooper argued in Tynwald yesterday (18 February) that if Manx Care has been forced to cut services already - with a budget of £360 million - we'll see more in the coming months as it has been allocated £3 million less this year.

The former health minister branded the overall financial plan 'disastrous' and was ultimately one of eight MHKs to vote against it:

The full list of MHKs who voted against the Budget were:

• Tim Glover
• Lawrie Hooper
• Jason Moorhouse
• Julie Edge
• Joney Faragher
• Juan Watterson
• Chris Thomas
• John Wannenburgh

All eight members of the Legislative Council voted in favour of it.

And you can hear more from Mr Hooper and Mrs Christian in our latest Newscast: