"When you're delivering healthcare on an island, your costs are going to be higher"

CEO discusses 'economies of scale' while minister issues warning to Public Accounts Committee

The CEO of Manx Care says the price we pay for healthcare on the Island cannot be compared to the likes of England.

Teresa Cope was challenged on Manx Radio by a listener who claimed residents are paying over 20 percent more per head of population for healthcare than is paid in England, and yet waiting lists are sometimes twice as long.

Mrs Cope says they recognise there is an 'inherent cost' associated with delivering care on an Island that you wouldn't elsewhere, but the economies of scale are different:

Meanwhile, whilst giving evidence to the Public Accounts Committee, Treasury Minister Chris Thomas said Manx Care needs to find a way to stop requesting multi-million pound increases each year:

In the 2026 Budget, more than £400 million has been allocated for the Isle of Man’s health service, with Treasury saying it’s still concerned that Manx Care’s spend could continue to outstrip the available funding.

The Department of Health and Social Care now has a £412 million pot - an increase of £45 million from last year.

It’s expected the DHSC budget will grow again, to £483 million, over the next five years; in 2022-23 it stood at £289 million.

Read more HERE.