MHK criticises Manx Care for reducing operations to cut costs

Health body says it's part of efforts to reduce predicted overspend

An Onchan MHK says she's 'shocked' that Manx Care is reducing the number of operations it carries out by an average of 5.5 theatre lists per week as a cost-cutting measure.

It's estimated to save approximately £220,000 which is just 0.07 percent of the overall health budget of £301 million.

Manx Care's forecast overspend is in the region of £16.8 million meaning the predicted saving from cutting theatre lists represents a 1.3 percent contribution towards reducing the overspend.

The Isle of Man Medical Society has called it a 'misguided effort' to save money and believes that reducing general surgery, ENT, and gynaecology procedures will further worsen the existing backlog.

You can find out more HERE.

Ms Edge told Manx Radio she believes Manx residents will suffer:

Manx Care says the decision is part of efforts to bring it into balance this financial year and it expects the measure will be in place for six months.

You can find the health body's full statement HERE.

Manx Radio invited the Health and Social Care Minister to respond to the Isle of Man Medical Society's concerns. 

Lawrie Hooper said: "As I am sure you are aware the Council of Ministers has made financial discipline a cornerstone of the Island Plan.

"Following a letter from the treasury minster outlining that Manx Care should enact its contingency plan to reduce expenditure and to try and come back within the allocated budget for the current financial year Manx Care have had to take operational decisions to try and achieve this.

"Manx Care and the DHSC have very recently presented to the Council of Ministers in respect of the financial pressures facing the health service, the decisions that will need to be made in order to achieve financial balance and the resulting impacts of those decisions. 

"The position in respect of the importance of financial balance was made clear to Manx Care by the chief minister and treasury minister.

"Whilst any significant changes to services would require changes to the mandate, which would require the approval of the DHSC and the Council of Ministers, the decisions taken to date rest within the operational sphere of Manx Care and I would suggest the best people to speak to about this would be Manx Care directly."