Episodes
May marks Mental Health Awareness Month and on 15 May the Isle of Man mental health training business Manx Minds will be hosting its annual conference.Taking place at Babagge's at the Mountain View Innovation Centre, it's open to anyone interested in promoting positive mental health and wellbeing.It's described as a 'chance to learn, connect, and share ideas with others who care about making a difference.'There'll also be talks from guest speakers: Diana Parkes (Co-Founder of the Joanna Simpson Foundation), Sarah McIntosh (CEO of Mental Health First Aid England), Heather Melvin (Director of...
'We all have a stake in our health and social care on the Island' - that's the message from the health minister, who says 'this is the right time' to review the working arrangements between her department and Manx Care.Later this month, Claire Christian will ask Tynwald to support her motion to form a committee of five members to take evidence and review the governance framework, the division of responsibilities, and the statutory relationship between the DHSC and the healthcare body.It comes four years after Manx Care came into operation; and four months into her term as minister.Ms Christ...
A number of changes come into force today concerning employment rights on the Isle of Man.Written statements are becoming a 'day one right', partners will be granted time off for antenatal appointments, and people going through the adoption process will have the right to leave to attend appointments.There are also new rights for people taking time off to care for dependents, and changes to the Island's whistleblowing regime.But there's also been criticism as new rights to Shared Parental Leave have been left out of these latest measures.In this edition of Newscast, Enterprise Minister Tim J...
A number of changes come into force today concerning employment rights on the Isle of Man.Written statements are becoming a 'day one right', partners will be granted time off for antenatal appointments, and people going through the adoption process will have the right to leave to attend appointments.There are also new rights for people taking time off to care for dependents, and changes to the Island's whistleblowing regime.In this edition of Newscast we hear from Kimberley Emery, Industrial Relations Officer with the Manx Industrial Relations Service.
March marks Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and it's the fifth most common cancer in women, with one in 50 in the UK diagnosed with it. Sarah Jarvis, who found out about it in May 2023 says it's difficult to detect it as initial tests won't pick up the form of cancer, but symptoms will be able to give medical professionals a clue of what it could be. Joined by her consultant, Tony Stock, they spoke to Chanelle Sukhoo about how vital it is for women on the Island to listen to their bodies and go through with their screenings.
Earlier this week, the Isle of Man became the first place in the British Isles to approve assisted dying legislation.On Tuesday (25 March), the Legislative Council voted to accept the House of Keys' changes to Dr Alex Allinson's proposals.In this special Newscast, we hear from campaigners Vicky Christian - Chair of the Isle of Man branch of My Death, My Decision - and Sue Biggerstaff - who has been campaigning in her late husband's name for Dignity in Dying.Siobhán Fletcher got their reactions after the news broke.
The Department of Infrastructure has opened a consultation for local authorities to have their say on new clauses in the Local Government Amendment Bill. It follows widespread criticism about the potential impact one of the new clauses could have - including mandating new functions without providing extra money and introducing 'standards' for work carried out. The bill was first introduced in 2021, and was brought back to parliament again in 2023, to 'strengthen' and 'update' current duties like byelaw processes and members expenses. DoI Minister Michelle Haywood says there's been no consul...
An endometriosis sufferer says more needs to be done to help women like her with the condition.March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and one in ten ladies have the disease - which causes severe pelvic pain, heavy periods and infertility. Chloe Love has suffered from the condition since she the age of 12.
The founders of an endometriosis support group say women on the Isle of Man need access to specialist care. March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and one in ten ladies suffer with the condition - which causes severe pelvic pain, heavy periods and infertility. Sharon Lunt and Karen Van Den Berg say there are 262 members in their Manx Endometriosis Support group on Facebook, with ‘most still awaiting diagnosis’.
New facilities at the Community Dental Service on Westmoreland Road are 'all about equity of care'.That's from specialist in special care dentistry, Beverley McClung, who approached the Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust to facilitate the project.The trust provided a grant of £33,000 to carry out building work which included taking down a wall to make a dedicated treatment room for wheelchair users who can't self-transfer into a dental chair - nicknamed the 'Bloom Room'.The grant covered everything, including plumbing, electrics and decorating and the provision of some new dental equipment....
What was predicted to be a health dominated sitting, didn't quite live up to its expectations.Phil Gawne and Christian Jones take a look back at the highlights.
A political member for the Department of Infrastructure says a 'house building plan' is missing from the government's housing policies. Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper believes the solution to increasing public sector housing is to work with the local authorities to find out the needs of each constituency. It comes after comments were made by Ramsey Commissioners saying the DoI is 'systematically delaying' funding for projects and is not providing support. Mr Hooper admitted there are 'blockages' in the application process for money and more 'checks' have been added which are unnecessary. Local De...
The annual Teddy's Trundle is taking place this weekend.In its fourth year, it sees a group walk the 21km from Peel to the Terminus in Douglas to raise awareness of Downs Syndrome.It's organised by Charli and Oli Dimelow, who are parents to three-year-old Teddy who has Trisomy 21.Charli has been telling Manx Radio more.
We heard this week how government is considering charging people to submit Freedom of Information requests, as the number of 'complex' requests taking more than 18 hours to process is growing.A consultation has opened asking whether charges should be introduced - or other measures such as cost limits or a limit on the amount of requests individuals can submit in a single year. FOI requests allow individuals to ask public authorities for access to information held by them and, currently, you can submit them free of charge.In this edition of Newscast, Christian Jones speaks to Cabinet Office ...
The Department of Infrastructure says a solution has been found to keep the site operational for another year following a dispute between local authorities in the area.Ramsey Town Commissioners announced last month that the site would be closing at the end of March due to funding issues associated with Bride Parish Commissioners withdrawing financial support, leaving a funding gap of £67,000 and leading to fears of increased fly-tipping in the northern parishes.From April, the Department of Infrastructure will take over the facility from the NCAS Committee and — subject to final contract — ...
A Manx resident who travelled the world through some of the Coronavirus pandemic has published a new book detailing some of his adventures.Derek Allen, and his wife Claire, were travelling near Germany in 2020 when Covid-19 struck and countries began getting ‘blacklisted’.They returned to the Island but left again for Europe, in their campervan, when things began to open up the following year.Derek told Manx Radio their experience – and a chance encounter with a kitten called ‘Vangelis’ – has inspired his writing:
Government is set to resume control of the Northern Civic Amenity Site, keeping it open and operational for another year.In just two weeks' time the site was set to close to residents due to funding issues associated with Bride Commissioners withdrawing financial support.From 1 April the Department of Infrastructure will take over the facility from the NCAS Committee and — subject to final contract — Ramsey Town Commissioners will operate the site on its behalf.Chair of the Commissioners, Rob Cowell, says it's a step in the right direction:
This week marks five years since the start of the coronavirus pandemic on the Isle of Man. Five years ago today, anyone arriving on the Island was forced to self-isolate for at least 14 days. One of the first cancellations to be announced was the TT, followed by Local Government elections and sporting fixtures. Chanelle Sukhoo spoke to former Chief Minister Howard Quayle, former Treasury Minister now Chief Minister Alfred Cannan and former Health Minister now Cabinet Office Minister David Ashford
Breast cancer charities on the Island are working to highlight the importance of early detection, as the frequency of screenings comes under review.The Mandate to Manx Care includes proposals to follow any changes by the UK National Screening Committee.That could see screenings moved from every two years to every three years, however Public Health Isle of Man says it hasn't 'recommended' that, yet.Angie Aire from Breast Cancer Now explains what another year could mean in terms of a diagnosis:
It's been the topic of conversation all week here on Manx Radio Breakfast, but we are again turning to some information in Manx Care's Operating Plan for 2025/26.A paragraph within the section on 'patient logistics' reveals that the healthcare body is in talks over the future of its links with the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).It admits in the document that £250k is required per annum to cover the service visiting the Island - but says it's 'unlikely that the charity will be able to fundraise to this level each year' - casting doubt on the future of the service for Manx resident...
Police say they want to reassure people that the Isle of Man is a safe place to live and attacks by strangers are ‘extremely rare’.It follows the sentencing of a 43-year-old man who sexually assaulted a vulnerable teenage girl in Douglas in July last year.Detective Inspector Nick Haxby, from the Protecting Vulnerable People Investigation Team, speaks to Tessa Hawley:
This year's Manx Care Mandate is all about 'modernising' and making health services 'more efficient' - 'by moving them to the right place, at the right time with the right person'.At least that's the message from the health minister, who's been hitting back at accusations that it evidences 'the largest assault on NHS care the Island has ever seen'.The health body says it wants to develop out-of-hospital provision – in dental, GP and pharmacy services – and accelerate a ‘home first approach’ to move more services into the community.Siobhán Fletcher has been speaking to Chair of Manx Care, We...
Charities on the Isle of Man are calling on the Department of Health and Social Care to rethink some of the proposals in the Mandate for Manx Care. Some of the proposals being made are: Reduction in acute hospital (mental/physical) bed capacity to support out of hospital care modelsChanges to prescription eligibility criteriaMore cost-effective delivery of care in hospital and communityAnother proposal is to follow the UK's National Screening Committee and decreasing the frequency of breast and cervical cancer screening from two years to three. It's something that's not welcome by these cha...
A Onchan MHK is calling on the Department of Health and Social Care to put a proposal from its Manx Care Mandate to Tynwald for a decision. The DHSC has suggested following the UK's screening time which would see screening take place every three years as opposed to two. Julie Edge says while it's a service that will save money, it won't save lives.
Pregnant women on the Isle of Man still aren’t being offered any Parentcraft sessions in person or virtually from the Island's health service.That’s despite an assurance from the health and social care minister that new online resources would be available by early February.Tessa Hawley has this report:
The former health minister says Manx Care's mandate for the upcoming year amounts to the 'largest assault on NHS care the Island has ever seen'.Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper argues the health body's operating plan evidences a concerted effort from government to 'push people towards private options'.The documents are set to be laid before Tynwald later this month; and will be subject to a general debate.Listen to the full interview here:
The chief minister has described failed plans to extract natural gas from the Island’s seabed as ‘six-years of wasted energy’.Alfred Cannan says he’s disappointed that Crogga didn’t get to the stage of carrying out a 3D seismic survey and drilling an appraisal well.Mr Cannan told Manx Radio it must be accepted that the Crogga application is finished and Tynwald has voted not to approve any new licence operations:
Okell's Brewery has started its year of celebrations marking its 175th anniversary with two new updates.It's launching a new brew and has also got new equipment to keep its production as local as possible.Amy Griffiths has been down to the brewery in Kewaigue to find out more:
The leaders of the Crown Dependencies have held wide ranging talks on law enforcement and cooperation. Chief Minister, Alfred Cannan told Simon Richardson it was his first face to face meeting with UK Security Minister, Dan Jarvis.
Crogga confirmed on Friday night that its plans to extract gas from the Island's seabed wouldn't be progressing after it failed to agree a licence extension with the Department of Infrastructure.It cited lack of progress on legislation and a regulatory framework among the reasons for the decision.Infrastructure Minister Michelle Haywood joined Alex and Sian on Manx Radio Breakfast to discuss the announcement.Dr Haywood also gave an update on the conditions in Douglas Harbour, which affected the Manxman's arrival on Saturday evening.