A clause allowing the department to reshape the Manx Care board by regulation has been passed amid warnings that the Keys is “setting itself up for another Manx Care failure.”
Clause 24 of the National Health Service Reform Bill gives the Department of Health and Social Security power to amend the Manx Care Act 2021 through secondary legislation, subject to Tynwald approval.
Julie Edge raised serious concerns, telling members: “I actually think this is one of the most significant clauses within this bill due to the significant governance changes.”
She warned members were being asked to approve the mechanism without having debated the substance of the reforms.
Governance
Ms Edge said: “We have not had a debate as politicians on the new governance for the way forward with our healthcare system. That has not been to Tynwald yet.”
She added: “I’m really concerned that we’re being asked in here today to approve a governance process going forward when 24 members in here have not been able to have their say on what we expect that governance to look like.”
The governance review is not due to come to Tynwald until June.
Ms Edge reluctantly said she would support the clause, adding: “I’m really sorry, I will have to support it because I want change with Manx Care, but we’re doing everything back to front without full facts in front of us.”
Health Minister Claire Christian confirmed the provision allows flexibility for future changes, saying: “This does help us to be able to do that more swiftly in the future, should we all agree after a debate that any changes should be made.”