Is the relationship between Manx Care and the DHSC getting stronger?

DHSC provides progress report after Tynwald backs 'option 3' of MIAA review

A progress report on how the Department of Health and Social Care is 'strengthening and simplifying its relationship' with Manx Care has been published.

It's after a review found that the current health and social care model in the Isle of Man 'is not operating as well as originally intended'.

In February Tynwald members looked at four options put forward by the Mersey Internal Audit Agency.

They chose to follow option 3 - strengthen the partnership between Manx Care and the DHSC. 

The department says this approach is intended to reduce duplication, support better integration of services and promote more consistent leadership with a unified culture.

The report states: "Since 2021 Manx Care has made important progress in strengthening quality and safety, and Option 3 is intended to build on that progress through a closer and more effective partnership with DHSC to improve alignment, assurance, system-wide accountability and a unified leadership culture."

Since February an implementation plan has been developed which includes progressing financial recovery and finance leadership arrangements and preparing interim changes to the DHSC Board.

Implementation Plan

Fundamental Issues within work strands 1 – 6  

1. Develop 10 Year Health and Social Care Strategy (incl. clinical strategy) including a financial settlement aligned to Treasury budgetary processes.  

2.  Strengthen engagement between the Treasury, DHSC and Manx Care ensuring alignment of budget & strategy (i.e. 3-year funding model aligned to strategy)

3. Strengthened partnership arrangements between the DHSC and Manx Care.

4. Develop and implement a commissioning strategy supported by aligned service specifications.

5. Integrate and strengthen communications functions.

6. Define shared services model for health and social care.

Additional work strands (7-9) as per department response

7. Policy and legislative reform

8. DHSC capability and capacity

9. Board governance restructure

'Engagement Phase'

Over the summer the DHSC says it will undertake an 'engagement phase' with those involved in the original MIAA review and other key stakeholders. 

This will involve 'workshops, task and finish groups alongside other avenues for engagement' and the DHSC argues it's not a pause in progress, rather a 'core part of implementation'.

'It will test the draft implementation plan, strengthen governance options, identify areas of consensus or concern, and ensure proposals are realistic, proportionate and capable of delivery.'

It adds: 'In light of recent developments within Manx Care including senior leadership changes, this provides an important opportunity to build confidence, sharpen accountability and ensure the December 2026 proposals are realistic, evidence-based and deliverable.'

Manx Care's Chief Executive Teresa Cope and Chair Wendy Reid have both resigned from their roles with Dr Chris Stockport assigned the role of CEO on an interim basis.

Return to Tynwald in December

The department has been tasked with returning to Tynwald in December 2026 with 'refined proposals, engagement feedback, further detail on longer-term governance arrangements and an updated implementation plan'. 

In the interim the department says it will implement revised governance arrangements within DHSC, bring together representatives from across the whole system for the first time, including Public Health and Manx Care, consult on and finalise the draft implementation plan, and prepare a final recommendation report for the new administration. 

It says this approach 'keeps practical improvements moving now, while ensuring that decisions with long-term implications for accountability, delivery and value for money are properly tested before final recommendations are made'.

Health Minister Claire Christian said: "The department is focused on laying the foundations for meaningful and lasting reform across our health and social care system. 

"Good progress has been made to date and it’s vital that we maintain momentum.

"By working with our partners and stakeholders, we can create a more joined-up and resilient system that is better equipped to meet the needs of our Island both now and in the future."

A spokesperson for Manx Care told Manx Radio: "Manx Care welcomes the publication of the progress report and acknowledges the work that has been undertaken to date.

"We recognise the importance of continued engagement with stakeholders as proposals are developed further and look forward to supporting the next phase of the process"

You can find a link to the report HERE.