Some extra GP capacity available from next week

Manx Care trialing a new system

Up to 30 extra GP appointments a day are going to be available from next week as Manx Care trials a new initiative to ease capacity issues.

A locum doctor will be based at a surgery in Douglas, and practices around the Island will be allocated a number of daily slots based on their size.

The aim is to cut down on waiting times, ease the burden on other services like the Emergency Department at Noble's Hospital and give patients access to medical care on the day they need it.

Manx Care's Executive Director for Health Services Oliver Radford says the funding for this is only available for a limited time, but if it works, they will be looking to keep it going:

You can hear the full interview with Mr Radford about the GP changes and overnight closure of MEDS during the week here.