'Pressure in the system' but bed figures are wrong says Manx Care

Health Body disputes 46% reduction in hospital bed spaces

The chief executive of Manx Care says there is ‘pressure in the system’ after concerns were raised about a bed shortage at Noble’s Hospital.

However Teresa Cope says it is ‘not continuous and sustained’.

It follows calls by the Medical Staff Committee for urgent action over what it described as a ‘critical shortfall’ in inpatient bed capacity.

You can find out more HERE.

It claimed there had been a 46 percent decrease with 168 beds available rather than the 314 which were operated prior to the formation of Manx Care.

However the health body has disputed the committee’s figures saying the total number available when it was formed was 279.

The current number of hospital beds available, it says, is 233 which represents a reduction of 16.5 percent.

Mrs Cope says they have not 'recklessly' removed beds: 

Manx Care adds that bed occupancy rates for this financial year are 86.9 percent and therefore at a safe level.

However it acknowledges that over the winter occupancy levels have at times been 90 percent of higher on some days.

Levels above 90 percent indicate severe pressure.

Further meetings between the Medical Staff Committee – which is made up of 75 senior doctors and consultants – the health body and the Department of Health and Social Care are planned for next week.