Healthcare cuts "just pushing the costs back" say MHKs

Minister asked to acknowledge how 'let down' Manx people feel

The health minister says planned cuts to Manx Care services were only changed after she and her department 'intervened'.

Proposals outlined in a press release last month - which was recalled before an embargo was lifted - were reduced.

A temporary reduction to elective care and a pause in non-urgent procedures in Liverpool and Manchester has been put in place until the end March, however. 

You can find out more about that HERE.

Claire Christian says an estimated £1million will be saved by that pause - though some MHKs say it will only lead to increased referrals in the next financial year.

"It's not a saving, it's a delay in spending." - Ann Corlett, Douglas Central MHK.

Ms Christian says around 600 patients have been affected by the services cuts, of which 450 appointments are 'follow-ups with no clinical benefit'.

You can listen to the exchange between Mrs Corlett and Minister Christian in the House of Keys below:

Douglas East MHK Joney Faragher was among those critical of how the cuts were handled and communicated and asked if the minister acknowledged how 'scary' the situation has been for those affected: