Onchan MHK Rob Callister says he cannot vote to back an increase the health budget without a comprehensive review of the structure and setup of both Manx Care and DHSC.
Mr Callister, a former health minister, made his comment as members debated covering the £15.3m in top up spending.
Manx Care has failed to remain within its budget every year since it was created, though this has also been met with criticism of the levels of funding provided to health.
Speaking in Tynwald however Mr Callister said that while he respects the work done by Manx Care and the pressures it is under, he said it has “yet to address the crucial need for service improvements or the backlog of operations and appointments”.
He added: “However, at some point, we must engage in the difficult conversation with Manx Care, because they cannot continue to rely on what has effectively become an “open cheque book” model since April 2021, particularly as it increasingly impacts on the delivery of other core services that island residents require and expect.”
Reform
Mr Callister added that since being created in 2021, many “would argue that tangible and structural changes within Manx Care have not been evident over the past four years”.
He said the was true “particularly in terms of improvements in efficiency and service delivery, despite a significant budget increase since April 2021”.
The MHK added: “There is an urgent need for further reform, change, and restructuring within Manx Care to determine what can be achieved within the current financial envelope without exceeding the budget each year.
“We must also consider how the Department of Health and Social Care can support Manx Care in the future while holding them accountable for what may be perceived as significant weaknesses in financial sustainability, performance, and governance.
“For these reasons, I cannot support the supplementary vote for £15.3 million without a comprehensive review of the structure and setup of both Manx Care and the Department of Health and Social Care.”
The debate is counting with members due to vote this afternoon.
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