MEDS hours U-Turn: MHK wants answers from Hooper

South Douglas MHK Claire Christian is wanting to know “what has changed in nine months” after Manx Care announced overnight closures of the MEDS service.

The Manx Emergency Doctors Service (MEDS) is based out of Nobles hospital and provides out of hours services.

In a response to a question at the April sitting of Tynwald Court, Health Minister Lawrie Hooper said that there were no plans to close the out of hours GP service.

Mrs Christian had tabled the original question and in a supplementary asked Mr Hooper:

Can the Minister advise has there been a business case to close the MEDS overnight service between certain hours, with the expectation that individuals will have to attend A&E?

Claire Christian MHK (Tynwald Court, April 25th 2023)

Lawrie Hooper MHK, Health Minister told the Tynwald Court on April 25th 2023 that “Manx Care has submitted no such business case to the Department”.

What’s changed?

Mrs Christian told Manx.News that when the Minister answered her question in Tynwald, he was concise that there was no risk to the out of hours MEDS service then, and no business case had been put forward to the Department.

“So what has happened in the last 9 months? When was this decision floated? Made?”

The transcript from Mrs Christian’s Tynwald Question (April 25th 2023) is below:

Tynwald Question

The President: We move on to Question 27 and I call on the Hon. Member for Douglas South, Mrs Christian.
Mrs Christian: Thank you, Mr President. I would like to ask the Minister for Health and Social Care whether Manx Care is considering closing its out-of-hours GP service? Thank you, Mr President.
The President: I call on Shirveishagh Slaynt Kiarail y Theay to reply.
The Minister for Health and Social Care (Mr Hooper): No.
A Member: Hear, hear.
The President: Supplementary, Mrs Christian.
Mrs Christian: Thank you, Mr President. Can the Minister advise has there been a business case to close the MEDS overnight service between certain hours, with the expectation that individuals will have to attend A&E? Thank you, Mr President.
The President: Minister to reply.
The Minister: Thank you, Mr President. Manx Care has submitted no such business case to the Department.
The Speaker: Straight Question, straight Answer.

Christian’s query

Speaking to Manx.news, Mrs Christian said:

“Closing MEDS for 8 hours each week night from Monday is worrisome, considering its significance to our community. MEDS provides urgent services when GPs are closed.

“I have received heartfelt appreciation for MEDS from many people, citing instances where it provided prescriptions, wound dressings, and most importantly, valuable advice and reassurance during difficult times, perhaps even saving lives.

“Its closure overnight will undeniably increase the pressure on our A&E department and could potentially lead to longer wait times for those in need.

Claire Christian MHK

“The reasoning behind this closure, given recent staffing issues and a perceived reduction in demand during these hours, raises questions.

Potential strain on emergency services

Mrs Christian says that it’s “important to consider the potential strain this will place on our emergency services, including ambulance demand and subsequent hospital admissions”.

She said: “What’s also surprising and worrying is the revelation that the Minister, Departmental members and the Department claim to have had no knowledge (specifically in answer to my oral question in Tynwald) of any potential threat to this essential service nearly 9 months prior to this sudden announcement.

“This raises concerns about the transparency and communication within the department. We need to understand why steps were not taken earlier to address the staffing and demand issues without resorting to such drastic measures.

Claire Christian MHK

The MHK urges a “reevaluation of this closure and an open discussion to address the concerns raised by the community”.

“The potential impact on patient care and the strain on our emergency services should be thoroughly considered before implementing such changes,” Mrs Christian said.