'Information vacuum' around Manx Care cuts 'more than just a communication lapse' says MHK

DHSC minister comes in for criticism in HoK

An MHK is calling for the health and social care minister to apologise to the Manx public saying recent controversy around healthcare cuts was ‘more than just a communication lapse’.

Tim Glover, who represents Arbory, Castletown and Malew, was one politician calling for more clarity over Manx Care’s cost cutting exercise in the House of Keys yesterday (4 February).

Despite Claire Christian giving a detailed timeline of events surrounding who knew what and when it didn’t save her from robust criticism.

The first MHK on his feet after her was a former health and social care minister, and Onchan MHK, Rob Callister:

In the House of Keys the minister claimed that £1 million is being saved by stopping non-urgent elective procedures and appointments at UK hospitals.

It’s believed 600 patients have been affected by the cuts in services – of which 450 appointments are said to be ‘follow-ups with no clinical benefit’.

You can find out more HERE.

Today (5 February) the minister and her Chief Officer Paul Richardson will give evidence to the Public Accounts Committee. 

Manx Care's Chief Executive Teresa Cope, Finance Director Jackie Lawless and Improvement Directors Shaun Stacey and Pete Shanahan have also been called.

The sitting will start at 10am. 

You can find out more HERE and watch the evidence session HERE.