It has been a turbulent time for Manx Care and the Department who ‘owns’ it. But what is new?
This morning the Council of Ministers rejected the list of cost savings put forward by the health care provider.
But before that, how did we get here?
With Manx Care running almost £17 million over budget, the Health Minster Lawrie Hooper resigned in sensational fanfare during a Tynwald debate last month.
Hooper’s reason for resigning was that he claimed health care was being ‘underfunded’; a claim which could easily be said about the UK NHS as well. Hooper even claimed the Chief Minister wanted to privatise the Manx NHS.
Hooper’s view of health care delivery and funding differed greatly from his boss, the Chief Minister Alf Cannan.
Cannan had charged Hooper’s DHSC and Manx Care to operate within budget, which has lead to threats of cuts in key front line services.
With Hooper gone, Alfred Cannan appointed himself as the interim Minister of the DHSC and vowed to deal with the repeated over spending.
‘It is clear there are significant challenges around ensuring financial discipline and managing the growing demand for health and social care services. These are not easy matters to resolve. But we cannot continue on this course. Repeated overspending is destabilising the Government’s finely balanced fiscal position.
‘Our immediate focus must be for the Department of Health and Social Care, the Treasury and Manx Care to work together on delivering financial balance.
‘I will serve as Minister for Health and Social Care for a limited period to provide stability while considering options for the future political leadership of the Department.’ – Alfred Cannan MHK
Health Cost Saving Measures “Rejected”
After surviving last week’s vote of no confidence, Cannan is back at the helm of the DHSC.
But this morning the Council of Ministers has rejected a raft of cost saving measures proposed by Manx Care.
The proposals were put forward to address the currently forecasted overspend, over and above the savings already communicated, and included temporarily closing a number of front line provisions including ward closures within Nobles Hospital and MEDS. (Manx Emergency Doctors Service)
“Find Savings Elsewhere” says CoMin
Instead of closures, Manx Care has been directed to find savings elsewhere that do not directly impact patients and service users, and to focus on finding further savings through further non front line efficiencies and driving forward with existing cost saving plans.
The Chief Minister has written to Manx Care Chair Wendy Reid to confirm the Council of Ministers decision, and to remind Manx Care of the need to work urgently with the DHSC to realign the budget with the Operating Plan and the Mandate for the next financial year.
No one wants to see frontline service provision diminished, but we also have a clear responsibility to deliver health and social care services within the allocated budget
The Chief Minister said:
“No one wants to see frontline service provision diminished, but we also have a clear responsibility to deliver health and social care services within the allocated budget. In committing now to support these vital services, Council have made clear that it is imperative every effort is made both to continue with immediate efficiencies where possible, but also to realign delivery to budget for the next financial year.
“There will now be an intense period of engagement between the DHSC and Manx Care to improve governance and realign the mandate and service provision with the budget available for next year.”
Manx Care
The Chief Executive of Manx Care Teresa Cope welcomed the decision saying:
“I welcome this decision by Council, but also recognise the responsibility we have to deliver our services within budget. It is difficult, and at times complex, to fully control all aspects of health and social care spending, but we welcome the opportunity presented to improve the framework under which we operate and most importantly the opportunity for better outcomes for our patients, service users and the Manx taxpayer.”
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