A new report from the Health Services Consultative Committee (HSCC) has raised concerns over budget-driven service cuts and the management of off-island patient transfers within Manx Care.
This follows earlier in the year when Manx Care prepared to implement “short-term reduction in services” due to budget pressures.
The HSCC’s annual report states the process “was not optimal from a patient point of view, and caused anxiety for patients who had their treatments cancelled”.
It also notes that UK tertiary providers were informed of cuts “whilst discussions with the DHSC were still taking place, putting the relationship with these providers at risk”.
Clear Policy
In response, the DHSC has asked Manx Care “to demonstrate that clear policy is in place that will ensure the patient and service user experience is improved, and that the financial parameters for the service are well-managed”.
The HSCC review of off-island patient transfer also identified a “lack of formal policies, leading to inconsistent application and process oversight” and “high costs – ongoing budgetary pressure and insufficient analysis of alternatives”.
The committee found a disconnect “between feedback given to Manx Care about the service, which is generally positive, and general public perception about the service, which is less positive”.
The HSCC will conduct a follow-up review on patient transfer later this year.
It has also recommended that “a long term strategy and financial plan (over five or ten years) is produced by the DHSC in cooperation with the Manx Care Board” to prevent future abrupt service cuts.