Rob Callister has delivered a scathing critique of Manx Care and the Department of Health and Social Care, declaring he has “little or no confidence” in their mandate and operational plan for 2025-26.
Speaking in Tynwald, Callister highlighted rising budgets and staffing without corresponding improvements.
He said: “Unfortunately, if you ask the Manx public here today, they would almost certainly highlight that they’ve seen an increase in budget year on year since 2021, an increase in the overall head count of staff across the entire health service organisation, but still no significant change or improvement in service delivery over the past four years, long waits to access vital service have become routine within Manx Care.”
Mr Callister accused the bodies of repeating empty promises, added “it is disheartening to see these repeated.”
He cited “long waits to access vital services” and “low public satisfaction,” adding: “Too many island residents are spending more of their lives in ill health.”
The MHK also questioned delayed reforms, such as GP and dental access: “Why has this initiative not been pursued earlier, back in 2021-22, instead of wasting four years?”
Warning of the looming cuts Manx Care is imposing, he said “both reports use the term reduction or reduce a significant amount of times”, which, he added “clearly suggests to this court and the public a further decrease in services”.
Mr Callister also used his speech to call for urgent structural reviews, including benchmarking salaries against UK NHS standards and revisiting Manx Care’s board accountability.
He said: “This situation is totally unacceptable, especially considering the significant investment made.”
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