Health minister outlines student debt concerns and expanded training for healthcare staff

Claire Christian points to student debt challenges while confirming plans to expand nurse training and maintain medical placements

Health and Social Care Minister Claire Christian says student debt remains a significant barrier for Manx Care employees, particularly those who have studied off-island, and that further discussions are planned on possible support mechanisms.

In a Tynwald written reply, she confirmed no formal assessment has yet been carried out to quantify total student debt among Manx Care staff.

However, she notes that current funding arrangements can disadvantage students from less traditional or lower-income backgrounds.

Manx Care has suggested models such as debt relief or bursary schemes linked to service commitments should be explored, drawing on approaches used in Wales and England.

The Department of Health and Social Care is believed to be considering these further once the Department of Education, Sport and Culture completes its review of a recent consultation.

Separately, Mrs Christian highlighted efforts to support career progression for healthcare assistants, including through the Bachelor of Nursing (Hons) programme delivered in partnership with the University of Chester.

This year, 36 students are beginning the course, with 17 entering via the University College Isle of Man’s Access to Higher Education programme.

From 2026, a new Nursing Associate route is expected to be introduced on-island to widen access further, particularly for staff without A-levels but who wish to progress in the profession.

Ms Christian contrasted the Manx approach with that in England, where students typically graduate with around £60,000 of debt.

On the Isle of Man, tuition fees are fully covered and students receive a tax-free bursary of £10,000 a year, which she described as a strategic investment in retaining healthcare staff locally.

Looking ahead to 2025–26, nurse training capacity will increase by almost 200 percent, while the number of medical student placements remains stable.

Manx Care currently supports foundation doctors, GP trainees, and internal medicine doctors in collaboration with the North West Medical Deanery.