Manx Care: 'Unpalatable' decisions are 'necessary' to balance the books

Healthcare body hopes cuts to operating lists will only be in place for six months

Manx Care says it has to make 'unpalatable' decisions in order to balance the books.

The healthcare provider has come under fire this week over plans to reduce the number of operations it performs as a cost-cutting measure.

It will see the number of elective theatre lists reduce by 5.5 lists per week for up to a maximum of six months.

Members of the Isle of Man Medical Society told Manx Radio the move would 'exacerbate' an already significant backlog. 

You can hear more from them here.

Manx Care says that the move is 'not ideal' but has committed to 'minimise the impact on patients' by 'restoring the theatre lists as soon as possible'.

Teresa Cope told Manx Radio the reduction of elective surgery lists is not an uncommon practice further afield; with the aim being to free up as many beds as possible over the winter months.

She also confirmed 195 cost-cutting schemes have already been put into place by the board before frontline services were cut.

The health body is currently predicting a £16.8 million overspend for this financial year.

Siobhán Fletcher asked the chief executive why cuts weren't being made elsewhere instead:

The health and social care minister says cutting the number of operations being carried out at Noble’s Hospital is within the ‘operational sphere’ of Manx Care and does not require approval by politicians.

You can read more from Lawrie Hooper here.

You can hear the full conversation with Ms Cope in the latest episode of Newscast: