Health and Social Care Minister Claire Christian has confirmed that health and care services will continue to be delivered across all four regions of the island.
It follows concerns raised over references to an ‘Eastern/Western Belt’ in Manx Care’s 2026/27 Operating Plan.
Glenfaba and Peel MHK Kate Lord‑Brennan had asked the Minister to clarify the intention behind the term, its impact on services in the West, and why Manx Care appeared to be moving away from the established four‑region model.
The Minister said the wording had caused “some concern” but stressed that services in the north, south, east and west would remain in place.
Health Service Structure
She outlined how Health and Care Communities, multidisciplinary teams bringing together primary care, community services, social care, mental health and diagnostics, are already operating in each locality.
Christian said the West’s community model, established in 2020, is well‑embedded and receives 80-100 referrals a month, helping people stay at home for longer and reducing the need for multiple interventions.
She confirmed there is “no change” to the vision for delivering community‑based services in all four areas as part of the island’s “home first” strategy, a direction reaffirmed with Manx Care for the purposes of her answer.
