Hooper out: How did we get here?

Former minister vows to 'fight' further health cuts

The first Tynwald session back after the summer recess certainly became one to remember for the Alfred Cannan administration.

At the conclusion of question time, Health and Social Care Minister Lawrie Hooper took to his feet to resign from his post.

He said he made the move after questions were completed as "members deserved answers to their questions at this critical time".

Within his resignation speech, he levelled accusations at the chief minister, namely that his "ultimate aim is to try and privatise our health service".

He also apologised to the public for "not being able to change this government's course from within".

So how did we get here? 

HEALTH CUTS

In recent weeks, the now former minister has come under fire as healthcare body Manx Care announced a series of service cuts to tackle a projected £16.8m overspend.

The schemes are expected to save the healthcare body £5 million.

Several of those cuts impact patient-facing services, from the Ramsey Minor Injuries unit to mental health contracts.

You can find a full list of those services impacted HERE.

The board says the measures will bring its forecasted overspend down to £8 million this financial year if successful, but they have described the cuts as 'unpalatable decisions' they didn't want to take.

The cuts have fostered much debate on the Island, largely around whether Manx Care is truly overspending, or if it's actually underfunded.

The Manx Labour Party has called on Treasury to look at additional sources of revenue, saying the health body has been tasked with delivering substantial transformation and improvement, but has not been adequately funded to do so.

This sentiment has been echoed by the Chief Executive of Manx Care, Teresa Cope, who says the provider has never received the level of money outlined as needed for radical change in the funding formula identified in Sir Jonathan Michael’s final report back in 2019:

'THOSE ON HIGH'

Prior to Mr Hooper's resignation, he has publicly alluded to possible tensions behind the scenes.

He told Manx Radio while the aforementioned cuts to frontline services were technically a decision made by the health body; they came at the 'behest of those on high'.

On 30 September, the chief minister appeared on Manx Radio's Mannin Line programme.

He stated on air that Manx Care must operate within its given budget 'irrespective of the demands on the service'.

Mr Hooper says that on 26 September, Manx Care's chair, chief executive and finance committee chair briefed the Council of Ministers on the body's financial situation:

Mr Hooper told Manx Radio that this evidences that Mr Cannan can be briefed that cuts to the health service to save money are 'a bad idea' by experts - but that he makes public statements to the contrary, placing the health service under further pressure.

PRIVATISATION

Mr Hooper's comments in the Tynwald court today hinged on the accusation that Mr Cannan wants to privatise services usually provided by the NHS as free at the point of use.

That's something he has dismissed, but he argued that "those who are stuck on ideology when it comes to healthcare funding are out of touch with reality":

You can listen to Mr Hooper's resignation speech, and the chief minister's response, in full in our Newscast:

REACTION:

LIBERAL VANNIN

Alongside his position as MHK for Ramsey, Mr Hooper is also leader of Liberal Vannin.

The party issued the following statement following his resignation: "Today, Party Leader Lawrie Hooper MHK has formally resigned from his role as Minister of Health and Social Care for the Isle of Man Government

"It is of extreme concern that the Chief Minister is not willing to listen to the views of others, and is set on a potentially destructive course of action that can only lead the Isle of Man into crisis.

"It has become increasingly clear that the Chief Minister is set on destabilising our National Health Service and Liberal Vannin have become convinced his ultimate aim is to privatise healthcare on the Isle of Man.

"This is not a position that Liberal Vannin are willing to support. We believe in a comprehensive free at the point of use health and care system, not in charging people for core healthcare services.

"Liberal Vannin is proud of the work that we have managed to achieve in government over the last three years both within healthcare and with broader government and it is with regret that we must leave so much of this work unfinished. Liberal Vannin took up a role in government as we believe that only by working together can we effect real and lasting change and whilst we were effecting this change we were willing to continue to work with the Chief Minister and his government. 

"However, nothing can outweigh our commitment to our core principles which we are not willing to compromise."

MANX CARE

The Island's healthcare provider has also responded to Mr Hooper's resignation.

In a statement, Chair Dr Wendy Reid and Chief Executive Teresa Cope thanked him for his 'support, wise guidance and challenge during the inception and early years of its development'.

Their statement in full: "Manx Care would like to express thanks to Minister Hooper for his support, wise guidance and challenge during the inception and early years of our development.

"We have valued his insight and clarity on many issues and wish him well for the future. Manx Care will continue to strive for the best quality health and care possible for the people of the Isle of Man while delivering value for money.

"We look forward to working with the new Minister and team."

GOING FORWARD

Alongside Mr Hooper, Douglas East MHK Joney Faragher has also resigned from her role within the Department of Health and Social Care.

It's thought she gave notice of her resignation minutes after former health minister Lawrie Hooper quit.

It is unclear who will replace her - or Mr Hooper in the top job on a permanent basis.

However, the chief minister has maintained that the Island's health service 'cannot continue on this course'.

Mr Cannan this evening announced he has taken over as the interim minister for Health and Social Care.

He says he will serve as Minister for Health and Social Care for a limited period to 'provide stability'. 

His statement in full: "I want to thank Lawrie Hooper for his work. While progress has been made following the establishment of Manx Care in 2021 and there is much to be proud of, there remains much to do.

"It is clear there are significant challenges around ensuring financial discipline and managing the growing demand for health and social care services.

"These are not easy matters to resolve. But we cannot continue on this course. Repeated overspending is destabilising the Government’s finely balanced fiscal position."

"Our immediate focus must be for the Department of Health and Social Care, the Treasury and Manx Care to work together on delivering financial balance.

"I will serve as Minister for Health and Social Care for a limited period to provide stability while considering options for the future political leadership of the Department."

You can hear the first interview with the former health and social care minister in our latest Newscast: