Manx Care is exploring options to reopen the Minor Injuries Unit at Ramsey Cottage Hospital during weekend mornings, potentially from mid-November.
The update was provided in Tynwald by the Minister for Health and Social Care, Claire Christian, who has apologised for inaccuracies in a previous official response regarding the unit’s extended weekend closures.
She also confirmed Manx Care had not informed her department or the public before extending the closures.
The Minister said: “Given the recent uncertainty around the future of the MIU at weekends and its impact on the local community, Manx Care is exploring options to enable weekend opening during mornings only, including x-ray provision, from mid-November.”
Staffing
Weekend services were suspended in June 2024 due to staff shortages. While additional nurses have since been recruited and trained, a staffing gap remains.
Ms Christian added: “I know the suspension of this service has caused frustration, particularly those in the north of the island.
“I am grateful to the community for their understanding and patience.”
She emphasised patient safety as paramount, stating the service can only resume once the staffing establishment gap is resolved.
“I hope that, within the next few weeks, Manx Care will be in a position to provide a positive update on resuming the weekend MIU service in Ramsey,” the minister added