Manx Care denies closure of Ward 4 at Noble’s Hospital

Executive Director of Nursing says gynaecology care is being restructured to reduce unnecessary inpatient stays

Manx Care has denied claims circulating on social media that Ward 4 at Noble’s Hospital is closing, instead confirming the ward is being repurposed as part of efforts to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions.

Ward 4 currently provides care for patients with gynaecological, breast and pregnancy-related issues, as well as fertility and menstrual concerns.

However, Executive Director of Nursing Sheila Lloyd says the health service is moving towards a more community-based model of care and aims to reduce the number of people being treated as inpatients.

Ms Lloyd says very few gynaecology patients require overnight hospital stays, and highlighted the recent opening of a new 'gynaecology ambulatory unit' to support this shift.

The new unit is said to allow specialist staff to treat patients in a 'more appropriate setting' without the need for admission.

“Ward 4 has quite a mixed use, and we’re making sure our patients are with the right people at the right time.”, she says.

While Manx Care has not confirmed which specific services might be relocated from Ward 4, it says decisions will be made based on clinical conditions and treatment needs.

Ms Lloyd stresses the move is part of a wider plan to ensure patients are only admitted to hospital when absolutely necessary.

She adds that inpatient stays can sometimes carry risks, particularly for those who are more vulnerable: “When you are in hospital, you spend a lot of time in bed, which reduces your mobility and can make you sicker. We want people to keep as fit as possible, and the best way to do that is to keep people out of hospital unless they absolutely have to be there.”